Satisfaction with a Vacuum Constriction Device for Erectile Dysfunction among Middle-Aged and Older Veterans

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To investigate satisfaction with a vacuum constriction device for middle-aged and older male Veterans with erectile dysfunction and their female partners.

Methods

Patients (N = 57; mean age = 64.28 years; SD = 8.7) received comprehensive education and training and ongoing follow-up of device use, which included a semi-structured interview. Female partners (n = 41) also rated their satisfaction with the device.

Results

Over 96% of patients (n = 53/56 responses) endorsed the ability to maintain an erection with the device and 100% (n = 56/56 responses) indicated they would recommend the device to others. Female partners generally rated sex as better with the device (83.8%; n = 31/37 responses). Physical discomfort using the device was reported among 23% of patients (n = 16), and often due to difficulty or pain with the constriction bands. Difficulty obtaining erections with the device, though infrequently reported, was more common with older age.

Conclusions

The majority of male patients and their female partners receiving comprehensive training for vacuum constriction device use reported satisfaction with the device.

Clinical Implications

Vacuum constriction devices can be highly effective in improving the sexual health and intimacy of Veterans of all ages experiencing erectile dysfunction.

KEYWORDS:

• Male sexual dysfunction
• sexual dysfunction
• vacuum pump
• aging
• veterans

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Drs. Antonette (‘Toni’) and Robert (‘Bob’) Zeiss for setting the standard of care for andrology in VA to instill hope and increase Veteran chances of success with treatment. We also wish to thank Brent Mills, MS, Viktoriya Samarina, PhD, Dawn La, PhD, and Johanna Rengifo, PhD for their contributions to data coding in support of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no financial conflicts of interest for this work. Preliminary data from this study were presented at the 2016 congress of the International Psychogeriatric Association in San Francisco, CA, USA.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Dr. Gould is supported by a Career Development Award (IK2 RX001478) from the United States (U.S.) Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service. Views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Federal Government.