Apps for Psychological ED - Do They Work?

In this series of quick articles, I'm reviewing the psychological ED treatments so you can decide what approach is right for you. Today we're looking to see how using an app might help you resolve your mental ED.

Research into Apps for Erectile Dysfunction

First up: The Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia.  They looked at 18 apps across the iphone/Android spectrum and concluded: "The overall quality is still low. Although many of these devices are useful in ED, the problems of scientific validation, content, and quality are not yet solved."  OK, so that sounds like some opinion there,  They didn't actually test them on guys to see if they helped the guys solve the problem.  Good to hear they think they can be useful,  but I'm not too sure you'd be able to make much of a decision either way on that one. 

Italian Apps for ED study 

Next, another Italian study compared apps to social media and the web as a way to address the problem that most guys with psychological ED are too embarrassed to seek help.  The apps won.  They concluded "Apps are the most complete and trustworthy tool for self-care management."

German Apps for ED Study #1

Then a German study looked at an app that coached guys across the spectrum of ED related areas: background knowledge about ED, pelvic floor training, cardiovascular training and mindfulness sexual therapy exercises. 44 guys, 12 weeks and the conclusion: "96% of patients showed overall improvement of erection scores."      "We concluded that it is possible to reproduce results of analog studies in a digital setting."   BOOM!  That's a game changer!     They're getting results as good as working with a live therapist.  This really surprised me...in the best way possible.

German Apps for ED Study #2

And here's another German study that sounds even better.  They tested their app with 241 guys.  The conclusion?  "App-based therapy of patients with ED provided a significant, clinically meaningful improvement."  "Quality of life and patient activation were also enhanced significantly. This program has the potential to change clinical practice in the treatment of ED." 

True, not every guy in these studies had ED that was strictly psychological.  Also true, that it's not really clear what app they used.  In one study it sounds like they created it themselves, the other it wasn't clear if it was a commercial app available to the public or not. So as far as I can tell, unfortunately, you can't just go and get one of these apps.  One of them sounds kind of like Mojo, but again, it's really not clear.  

My opinion about Apps as a Psychological ED Cure

I think this is amazing!  OK, so now we solid research showing you can solve a mental ED problem without having to deal with going into any kind of therapy or taking meds.    Apps are easy to get, you can start right away and most of them are pretty cheap.  

That said, maybe I'm old-fashioned.  I'm always going to say working with a skilled real person is the best choice for anyone who has that option.  I've talked to guys who've failed with apps and succeeded in working with me for sure.  But with studies like these, it would be hard not to say apps can be a good bet.