Chapter 1: The HISTORY of Erectile Dysfunction
Viagra
Out of all the miracle cures throughout the years; Viagra is the very first drug developed to treat erectile dysfunction that was approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Since its approval in March of 1998; it became one of the highest selling prescription drugs in history with no competition until the similar drug Cialis was created in 2003.
Healing with Surgery and Machinery
Experiments with electricity to stimulate sexual arousal began back in the 1700’s. That was when electricity became a popular tool for scientists to attempt to take their work to the next level.
Dr. James Graham is one of the doctors who believed in the theory that excessive masturbation was one of the causes of impotence. He advised people to have sex in moderation and bathe in cold water. He is also the inventor of the Celestial Bed. It’s a bed that uses electricity to stimulate sexual intercourse.
Again; these doctors had the right idea, but the execution was all wrong. They were finding out more about impotence, but the treatment never seemed to hit the mark. There were treatments where electrodes were attached to the penis, testicles and spine. It was a painful and uncomfortable procedure, but the doctors swore that it would get results. This was soon frowned upon in the medical field, but that didn’t stop some doctors from continuing to experiment with electricity as a treatment for impotence.
Much like electronic treatments; use of machinery or attachments as treatment for impotence became frowned upon for being too radical and dangerous. One of the most elaborate contraptions used for impotence was invented by French doctor Vincent Marie Mondat. It was an appliance that was attached to the penis. Its function was to pull blood into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection.
The next appliances to come along were splints and penis pumps. Splints were attached to the penis to help guide it into the vagina, even if the penis wasn’t erect. Penis pumps drew criticism from the moment they were invented. These pumps created suction that would pull blood into the penis, but were criticized for creating a false erection that didn’t last much farther beyond the removal of the appliance. One penis pump had two cylinders that connected to a vacuum. This appliance was criticized for being excessive and promoting too much blood to flow into the penis causing temporary deformities.
Treatments that were considered acceptable at the time were penis support systems. This was one of the early incarnations of penis rings or cock rings. For example; the Coitus Training Apparatus consisted of two rings connected with wires that were coated with rubber. One ring would be applied all the way to the base of the penis and the other one near the head. The wires stretched across the length of the penis. A condom would be placed over the rings for intercourse. This was used as support for the penis so penetration could occur before the penis was erect.
This appliance was considered a training tool to assist in an erection. The rubber wire would support the penis before erection. The penis would presumably become erect once penetration had been achieved. It was designed to be a temporary solution until the penis could achieve an erection on its own before penetration. It was soon clear that this was not an appliance that was comfortable for women despite the claims by the inventors that women would not even know it was there.