Penile control: Which device is favoured by men?

Comparisons between two medical-grade penile control devices show that FirmTech performs better than Eddie by Giddy in terms of overall impression, likelihood of using the device in the future, and recommending it to a friend, reports a study. On the other hand, Eddie by Giddy works wonders at improving erectile firmness.

“Penile constriction devices offer a noninvasive approach to enhance the sexual experience and as the variety of penile constriction devices increases, it is crucial to assess patient preferences and device effectiveness to provide insights into their clinical utility,” the investigators said.

In this study, male participants were recruited between May and July 2023 through social media and were prospectively enrolled into an Institutional Review Board-approved, randomized, questionnaire-based study. Upon enrolment, these individuals completed the Sexual Health Inventory for Men and Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males questionnaires.

All 50 participants mean age (40 years) were randomly allocated to which device they received first. Then, they used the device twice either during masturbation or intercourse in a 2-week timeframe. After using the device, these men completed a 17-question, Likert scale, device satisfaction questionnaire, wherein lower numbers signified positive responses. The process was repeated with the second device.

Finally, the investigators ran a t-test and a chi-square analysis for statistical analysis. Patient-reported device satisfaction and efficacy were the primary outcomes, while device preference for patients with and without erectile dysfunction was secondary.

Of the eligible participants, 49 completed the study. The majority of participating men recommended using the FirmTech device relative to the Eddie by Giddy device (80 percent vs 53 percent; p=0.0026). [J Sex Med 2025;22:43-50]

In addition, the FirmTech device was easier to put on both flaccid (p=0.0308) and erect (p=0.0002) genital organs, was more comfortable (p=0.087), had better stretch (p<0.0001), and was easier to adjust (p=0.0119). Moreover, FirmTech left a better overall impression among the men who used it (p=0.0249).

The Eddie by Giddy device, on the other hand, was found to be more effective in improving erectile firmness in men with erectile dysfunction than in those without (p=0.0178).

“This study adds to the current literature on penile constriction devices that better guide providers as they counsel patients on these devices to enhance sexual function,” the investigators said.

Gay preference

In a related study, assessment of the two devices between homosexual and heterosexual men revealed no significant preference or effectiveness for either device among straight participants. However, homosexual men favoured FirmTech over Eddie by Giddy, giving the device a more positive rating and recommending it more to a friend. [J Sex Med 2024;doi:10.1093/jsxmed/qdae002.101]

“Further research with a larger and more diverse sample is needed to fully comprehend the different preferences and satisfaction with penile constriction devices among men with different sexual orientations,” the investigators said.

The current prospective randomized crossover study was limited by its single-centre design which relied on patient-reported outcomes.