SexualHealth.com
 The Sexual Health Network is dedicated to providing easy access to sexuality information, education, support, and other resources.
Home Login Home contact us | privacy policy | Thu Nov 20 2008   
Men's Sexual Health
Women's Sexual Health
Love & Relationships
Sexuality Education
Disability & Chronic Condition
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexual Health Resources
Shopping


Register to join our community  
Join Our Newsletter:


 
print this page
Question:
I have been a T12 para for only three months and have yet to get an erection. Can I achieve this with a vibrator? Iıve read about a Ferti Care vibrator that claims to be for this exclusive use. It costs $365. Is it any different from a $30 Kmart vibrator? And is this unit primarily for semen retrieval or is there sexual enjoyment, i.e. erection and orgasm?

Answer:
by Mitchell Tepper:
(05/16/2004)
Over-the-counter vibrators typically are low-amplitude and have only two speeds. The Ferti Care personal vibrator is truly different. It is certainly the most powerful rechargeable vibrator I've ever test-driven, and has accurate and adjustable frequency and peak-to-peak amplitude settings along with a pressure-indicator light for safe application. Peak-to-peak amplitude refers to the length of the stroke and has a direct impact on inducing ejaculation. Every person with a spinal cord injury requires a different level of stimulation for ejaculation; with the Ferti Care, you can experiment with different combinations. And because of its design, the Ferti Care is easier for a person with limited hand function to hold and position than many other vibrators. Ferti Care is registered with the FDA, so you need a prescription to buy one. The most significant danger is for those with injuries T6 and above who are prone to autonomic dysreflexia. If your primary goal is ejaculation, the Ferti Care may improve your chances. Over-the-counter vibrators work for about 30 percent to 40 percent of all men with spinal cord injury. Ferti Care increases that figure to about 70 percent, and improves to about 80 percent for injuries T10 and above. Ferti Care is not a solution for difficulty getting or keeping an erection. Is it worth the cost? Compared to what? If you compare the cost of buying a unit and retrieving sperm at home to going to a clinic for either vibrostimulation or electrostimulation, most definitely. And you have the added benefit of privacy and convenience. You can give a store-bought model a try. In most cases it wonıt work, but you can always use it on a friend. On the other hand, you can buy a Ferti Care unit with a 30-day money-back guarantee if it does not work. ILTS, the distributor, reports that over the last two and one-half years only 8 percent of units have been returned. If you decide to try the Ferti Care, contact ILTS, 706/855-6351. --Mitch Tepper

Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team

This question appears in the following topics: