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Sex Toys For Erectile Dysfunction

Dr. Lisa Lawless

Dr. Lisa Lawless, CEO of Holistic Wisdom
Clinical Psychotherapist: Relationship & Sexual Health Expert

Penis Vibrator, Penis Rings, Sex Toys For Erectile Dysfunction

Sexual Products for Erectile Dysfunction

When exploring Erectile Dysfunction (ED) when Viagra does not work or cannot be taken, there are a few options that sex toys can offer before one would consider doing something as extreme as a penile implant. With so many sex toys on the sex toy market, many men still wonder what products they can use to bring themselves sexual gratification when they struggle with erectile dysfunction (impotence), so that is why we will review the best sexual product options for you to consider. This will include things that may want to be avoided based on customer feedback. If you are looking for more education about erectile dysfunction in general, please see our Erectile Dysfunction Guide.

Erectile Dysfunction Causes

There are many causes of erectile dysfunction, from health problems (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, elevated cholesterol levels, and diabetes) to mental health issues (such as depression and even stress). Therefore, before we begin discussing sex toy options for erectile dysfunction, we do want to stress that if you have not already seen your physician regarding this issue, you need to rule out any serious health problems that may need to be addressed. In addition, you should discuss products you use with your doctor, including sex toys. For more help regarding this, please see our How to Talk To Your Doctor About Sex Guide.

There are various ways to experience sexual pleasure using sex toys when dealing with erectile dysfunction. Here are just a few examples:

  • You can use sex toys to achieve an erection and hold it in place to have intercourse or so that you may masturbate or use a masturbation sleeve.

  • You can use sex toys to provide enough sexual stimulation to achieve an orgasm with or without ejaculation (dry orgasm).

  • You can use sex toys to provide sexual stimulation to improve blood flow and as a way to relax without orgasm.

  • You can stimulate the penis enough to expel semen for assistance with fertility and insemination.

Penis Pumps For Erectile Dysfunction

The main struggle with erectile dysfunction is not getting enough blood flow into the penis and holding it in the penis. That is why penis pumps are often recommended by doctors as they help bring blood into the penis, making it erect and at the very least helping improve circulation and enhancing sensitivity and pleasure.

If you can get a partial erection or cannot hold it, you may want first to consider using a penis pump to help engorge the penis with blood and then use a penis ring that slides down to the base of the shaft to hold the blood in and keep the erection firm until ejaculation occurs. Penis pumps can also create a pleasurable suction sensation that can be combined with vibration to assist with achieving an erection and provide an orgasm when used as a masturbation tool for men.

There are some myths about what a penis pump and penis rings (cockrings) can do, so we have put together an article that will help you better understand how to use them, what they can offer, and how to use them safely without causing tissue damage. See our Penis Enhancement Toys Guide.

Penis Traction Options

One product that may be used as an alternative or in combination with penis pumps are penis traction devices. Penis traction works by steadily stretching the shaft of the penis, causing the cells to divide and multiply (cytokinesis). This can promote new and permanent tissue growth throughout the penis in a matter of weeks to enlarge the penis and assist with health issues with erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease.

Penis Traction

Male Vibrators

There are two main categories of male vibrators. The first are vibrators that are attached or accompany a masturbation sleeve. The other is a vibrator designed to cradle or encompass the penis.

The first option is typically not designed for a flaccid penis to be inserted because they are made to push through with an erect penis. These are generally soft, elastomer (TPE, TPR) masturbation sleeves.

The second option is the male vibrator that can accommodate both a flaccid or erect penis which can be used solo and in some designs can be used with a partner. These are often used in hospitals as a conception device and can be quite effective in assisting in ejaculation.

Male Vibrators

What is ideal about male vibrators is that they provide blood flow and stimulation to the penis, which can help with circulation and sexual performance. They can be used with penis pumps, penis rings, and other sex toy variations.

Men can also use body massagers to stimulate their penis and bring them to orgasm. Body massagers are great because couples can both use them, and they are wonderful at the intended purpose of all-over body massage as well. Finding powerful ones is ideal, which is why we only carry the most powerful, well-made body massagers on the market.

Body Massager

Prostate Massagers

Using a prostate massager may help men achieve erections and orgasms even when they have ED. These products are great for solo and couples use and allow for various creative stimulation.

Prostate Massagers

Make sure to see our How To Do Prostate Massage Guide and How To Use Anal Toys Guide.

Electrostimulation

Erotic electrostimulation (E-stim) sex toys can be felt within the electrodes and stimulate one to experience a hands-free orgasm with little effort. These machines are designed to increase erotic pleasure and can also be used to relax muscles and reduce stress. Furthermore, they may be helpful for medical inhibitors that prevent normal sexual functioning and may be beneficial in infertility, erectile dysfunction (ED), female sexual dysfunction, and even for those who have disabilities that prevent them from having sex, such as paralysis. For more information, please see our Electrostimulation Guide.

Penis Rings & Penis Cages

A penis ring (cockring, love ring, vibrating ring) can be used alone or with penis pumps and other sex toys. These products are popular when addressing erectile dysfunction because they put pressure around the base of the penis, pushing blood into the shaft and helping to hold an erection.

Penis Extenders

Many penis rings offer vibrators on them, which will help bring blood flow to the penis and also aid in maintaining an erection. They also provide clitoral stimulation when using them with a female partner and anal stimulation for both sexes if you get one that has an anal vibrator component on it.

Double penis rings may want to be avoided if a man has difficulty having an orgasm as they hold the testicles away from the body and are intended to prolong sex. They do this by keeping the testicles from pulling up, which occurs when an orgasm is reached. Therefore, it may be to a man's advantage to use a single vibrating penis ring if he is dealing with erectile dysfunction issues.

Penis Ring Sets

Using a little lubricant on sex toys for men, especially with penis rings, helps to make sliding them down the base of the penis more comfortable. This is advised as they can pull at the sensitive skin of your penis if you do not, which may cause discomfort. We recommend using a water-based lubricant as they will not have any interactions with any sex toy materials and make sure to get one that is paraben-free. See our helpful article to learn more about penis rings.

Penis Masturbation Sleeves

If you can get an erection, then using a masturbation sleeve for men may be an option for you, and you can always add a small vibrator at the end of the sleeve or wear a vibrating penis ring while using one to help you keep your erection and provide you with added stimulation and blood flow. There are only a few vibrators for men on the market right now that you can use without getting an erection. Those that we carry will indicate in the product description of they are designed for use with a flaccid penis.

Strap-on Dildos For Erectile Dysfunction

Strap-on sex toys can be used with a lover, and there are three options. The traditional dildo, a hollow dildo, and a strapless strap-on. The most commonly sought out sex toy option that men with severe erectile dysfunction seek out are hollow dildos. Before we delve into those, if you are curious about a traditional harness or the strapless strap-on sex toys, see our Strap-on Sex Harness Guide.

Strapless Strap-Ons

And to better understand out a strapless strap-on works, please see our How To Use Strapless Strap Ons Guide

Hollow Dildos

Using a hollow dildo is typically the first option men choose when they can no longer achieve an erection. The idea is that it will simulate intercourse in a traditional way where the man puts his flaccid penis inside a hollow dildo while it is strapped onto his body and has intercourse as he used to. Let's review some of the challenges around hollow dildos, as there are a few.

Hollow Dildo Diagram

Not Many Quality Hollow Dildo Available

Despite the large sex toy industry, very few companies make hollow dildos on the market today and even fewer that make them so that they are nontoxic. We only carry nontoxic sex toys, so our hollow dildos are body-safe, but the selection is limited because we have strict safety requirements.

Silicone Hollow Dildo Examples

Are Hollow Dildo Materials Safe?

The ideal materials for an insertable hollow dildo are properly cured silicone or phthalate-free PVC, as they are nonporous and durable. However, some hollow dildos are made from toxic materials, such as those made of PVC with phthalates. Our hollow dildos are all lab-tested and verified that they are phthalate-free and made with body-safe materials. 

Hollow Dildos Are Very Large

Hollow dildos are large as they have to accommodate a penis inside them, and this is often a problem for partners who are uncomfortable with a large dildo. They are typically 1.75 - 2 inches in diameter (width across) or 5.5 - 6.3 inches in circumference (around) and 7 inches in length on the outside of the dildo.

Let's look at how this measures up to an average size penis:

  • Average length of a flaccid penis is 3.6 inches (9.16 cm).

  • Average length of an erect penis is 5.2 inches (13.12 cm).

  • Average circumference is 3.7 inches (9.31 cm) when flaccid.

  • Average erect circumference is 4.6 inches (11.66 cm) or 1.5 diameter (width across).

Hollow Dildo Diagram

As you can see, the hollow dildos will be quite larger than the average-sized penis or the average sized dildo, which presents a problem for many post-menopausal women who have their own sexual health concerns such as vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, and thinner, more delicate vaginal tissue. See our Painful Sex Guide for more information.

We have not found a model at this time that is smaller in width than 1.7 inches in diameter, and even if we did, most men would not be able to fit their flaccid penis inside of it. The large diameter is created on purpose so that the penis will fit inside whether you are semi-erect or flaccid. Many couples find it a problem in using these larger dildos because the female partner often finds them too big and may even find it painful.

No Stimulation On The Inside Of A Hollow Dildo

Men often forget that there will be no stimulation to their penis once they put themselves inside a hollow dildo (unless it is a vibrating model). Most of the time, this means that they will just be going through the motions of thrusting without their own stimulation during use. Even with a vibrating hollow dildo, which will provide some stimulation to them, it is often impersonal as there is no skin-to-skin contact via the genitals between partners. Hollow dildos are typically very firm on the inside.

An Alternative To Hollow Dildos

With all of these issues that people have when using hollow dildos, you may be wondering what other options there would be. When it comes to our customer feedback over the last two decades, there is one two-holed harness that all of our customers love after they get it, and this includes many that have tried hollow dildos and did not like them.

The Two Hole Harnesses

If you wish to explore using a strap-on dildo, whether or not you can get erect and hold the erection, then a two-holed harness might be a good option. A two-holed harness allows you to use either a solid dildo of your choosing as well as a hollow dildo should you want one.

Double Hole Harness


The double-holed harness allows a couple to use any dildo they like to choose size, color, texture, and material while allowing for skin-to-skin contact (which hollow dildos are not designed to do).

This works because the male puts his penis in the bottom hole and then the dildo in the top. This allows him to penetrate his lover while still rubbing up against his lover, providing him with skin-to-skin contact and stimulation. In addition, if he can achieve an erection, he can penetrate his lover without taking off the harness and simply remove the dildo or bend it upward.

The majority of couples we have worked with always report this is one of the best options for having intimacy again when dealing with erectile dysfunction. The harnesses we sell with two holes are extraordinarily comfortable, durable, and hold any sized dildo in place firmly.

The Best Realistic Strap-On Dildos

Some of the most durable dildos are silicone, metal, and glass. When looking for a strap-on, most customers indicate that they want a realistic feeling. That pretty much rules out metal and glass because while they are great dildos and feel good, they do not feel like a natural penis and are not for someone who wants something real.

When our customers ask for the best strap-on dildo to use with a harness, we often refer them to our flared based, silicone dildos. There are a few reasons that we recommend silicone dildos, but the main reason is because they are the best material for this purpose. They work with all harness types and are a very safe material.

Silicone Dildos

Pure 100% silicone didos are non-porous, while elastomer dildos made of TPE or TPR (Cyberskin, Softskin, etc.) are porous. When a sex toy is porous, it can hold onto bacteria easily, and it is impossible to disinfect completely. You cannot use soap as the soap will stay in the pores, and many create a soapy lather the next time you use it. Keeping the bacteria off a sex toy is vital as it can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) or even contribute to a yeast infection. Please see our How To Clean Sex Toys Guide to understand better why it can dramatically impact your health.

Silicone sex toys can feel like skin and are realistic to the touch, especially when they have a firm inner core and a softer outer layer that is velvety smooth and slightly squishy, like a natural penis. When they are rigid, like an erect penis, and will not flop around like Cyberskin-style dildos. Finally, because they are made with pure silicone, they are nonporous and will not harbor bacteria; they are also effortless to clean.

Pure, 100% silicone dildos that have been platinum-cured or peroxide-cured and then post-baked are ideal. These tend to be more expensive than other dildos because the silicone material is more expensive for manufacturers to use; however, they are also highly durable and will last a lifetime, unlike other dildos that may have to be replaced after a couple of years, if not sooner.

This is why we carry only the best silicone dildos, and we have both realistic and non-phallic dildos from which to choose. The most important factor in choosing a dildo beyond the material is size. Please see our guides below to help you choose the right dildo for you and your partner:

The Couples C-Shape Vibrator Option

If you can become semi-erect or erect and then lose your erection, using a couple's c-shape vibrator may be an excellent option. This allows a woman to consistently and simultaneously receive clitoral and G-spot stimulation regardless of how erect the penis is while still allowing for penetration. You can review our selection of Couples Vibrators or learn more about them through our Couples Sex Toys For Intercourse guide. 

Diagram of C-Shaped Couples VibratorPleasuring A Female Partner

If you are looking for a sex toy to pleasure your female partner, we have a guide that will help you better understand how to stimulate them as well as what sex toys are most popular with women:

Clitoral & Vaginal Orgasm Guide

Best Sex Toys For Women

Other Sex Toys For Erectile Dysfunction

Clone A Willy Kits

The make-your-own dildo kits, called Clone a Willy Kits, are used by men to capture a replica of their penis when it is erect to use it later on a lover when they cannot achieve an erection. Learn more through our Clone A Willy Guide.

Finger Vibrators

You can also use small finger vibrators to hold at the base of your penis, press against your perineum and the head of your penis for added stimulation during masturbation. They help increase blood flow and are easy to use and inexpensive.

In Closing

Erectile dysfunction can be challenging mentally, emotionally, and physically, which is why we are happy to help make suggestions and provide resources to help make it easier. Below are some additional resources you may find helpful, and should you need assistance in selecting a product on our website, feel free to contact us as we are pleased to assist you.

 

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