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, Alexandra Dubinskaya, MD Department of Urology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, CA 90048 Corresponding author: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, 99 La Cienega Blvd, M102, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, United States. Email: a.dubinsky.md@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Rainey Horwitz, MS Saint Louis University School of Medicine , Saint Louis, MO 63110 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Victoria Scott, MD Department of Urology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, CA 90048 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Jennifer Anger, MD, MPH Department of Urology, University of San Diego , La Jolla, CA 92121 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Karyn Eilber, MD Department of Urology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, CA 90048 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic
Sexual Medicine Reviews, Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2023, Pages 15–22, https://doi.org/10.1093/sxmrev/qeac008
Published:
12 January 2023
Article history
Received:
12 July 2022
Revision received:
28 November 2022
Accepted:
29 November 2022
Published:
12 January 2023
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Alexandra Dubinskaya, Rainey Horwitz, Victoria Scott, Jennifer Anger, Karyn Eilber, Is it time for doctors to Rx vibrators? A systematic review of pelvic floor outcomes, Sexual Medicine Reviews, Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2023, Pages 15–22, https://doi.org/10.1093/sxmrev/qeac008
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Abstract
Introduction
Vibrators and similar devices are an underutilized treatment modality in pelvic and sexual medicine, likely because of the limited knowledge on the health benefits of their use.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to review available data regarding the effect of vibrator use on sexual function, pelvic floor function, and chronic unexplained vulvar pain.
Methods
We performed a systematic literature review of PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE from inception to March 2021 per the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). The search was based on the following keywords: sex toy woman, pelvic vibrator, sexual stimulation vibrator, vaginal vibrator, vibrator pelvic floor, vibrator incontinence, and vulvar pain vibrator. An overall 586 articles were identified. Studies that met inclusion criteria were reviewed: original research, sample of women, vibrator use, and application to the pelvic/genital area. Exclusion criteria included case reports, unrelated content, vibrator not applied to the pelvic/genital area, male participants, or conditions of interest not addressed. A total of 17 original studies met the criteria and were reviewed in depth.
Results
After review of the literature and identification of articles appropriate for the study, there were 8 studies surrounding sexual function, 8 on pelvic floor function (muscle strength/urinary incontinence), and 1 on vulvar pain. Among the identified studies, vibrators were considered an accepted modality to enhance a woman’s sexual experience, improve pelvic floor muscle function, and facilitate treatment of vulvar pain.
Conclusions
Vibrators are not well studied, and given the promising benefits demonstrated in the articles identified, future research efforts should be directed toward investigating their utility. Considering the potential pelvic health benefits of vibrators, their recommendation to women could be included in our pelvic floor disorder treatment armamentarium.
vibrator, novelty toy, enhancement device, female sexual health, female sexual dysfunction, pelvic floor, sexuality, vulvar pain, vulvodynia
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society of Sexual Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com
This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)
Issue Section:
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