Sexual arousal is a multifaceted process involving both automatic physiological reactions and subjective emotional experiences of sexual stimuli. Disruptions in arousal contribute significantly to the development of sexual disorders, affecting up to 37% of women and over half of men aged 50 and above.
Currently, sexual arousal is measured using stationary, hard-wired devices restricted to lab settings. Genital and subjective responses are recorded separately, complicating data integration and limiting ecological validity. Additionally, the lack of mobility hinders assessment in dyadic contexts where partners mutually stimulate each other. This is a major limitation, as most sexual problems occur during partnered sex.
To address this, we will develop mobile, user-friendly devices that simultaneously track genital and subjective arousal responses in real time for women (FD) and men (MD).
Our innovation meets the longstanding demand in sex research for portable devices that measure arousal in natural settings (e.g., at home), where individual and partnered responses occur spontaneously.
Beyond research, the device offers significant clinical and commercial potential. It may assist clinicians in diagnosing and treating arousal disorders. Furthermore, it holds promise as a sexual health-monitoring tool, with broader benefits for healthcare, sexual wellness, and self-awareness.