4 Tech-Driven Trends in Sexual Wellness to Watch For

There’s no questioning how much new technology has improved different areas of the healthcare sector. As innovations emerge each year, more fields of specialization are poised to adopt the latest tools and tech-driven approaches that can lead to better outcomes, especially in personal wellness. During the past years, the growing prevalence of more sophisticated tools for improving intimacy among couples has opened up a new market, one focusing on elevating romantic experiences.

Tech-driven solutions designed for sexual wellness are becoming more accessible as underlying technologies such as machine learning are becoming more advanced. With investments into generative AI expected to amplify this year, it’s only fair to say that apps and devices aimed at supporting sexual wellness will create new opportunities not just in terms of elevating intimacy.

These innovations are also valuable in protecting vulnerable individuals from sexually transmitted infections and addressing other problems such as performance anxiety, low libido, and hormonal imbalances. Here’s a short list of tech-driven trends that are focused on improving sexual wellness this year and the next:

1. Personalized sexual health apps

The introduction of mobile apps has improved almost every facet of daily life, from personal finance to education. As the market continues to grow, products that help support sexual wellness can now be found in online app stores. Sexual health apps are designed specifically not only to educate users on proper hygiene and the use of contraceptives but also to help identify the symptoms of reproductive disease and address other concerns affecting intimacy between couples. Some of these apps may connect couples to reputable healthcare providers and clinics such as Loria Medical Facility to address problems.

These apps may also come with an ovulation calendar, allowing couples to effectively use the calendar method and find the best opportunity to conceive. However, this category of mobile apps is still subject to improvement, especially in terms of addressing privacy and data security concerns. It’s only a matter for users to learn as much as they can about the developers of these apps and find out they can be trusted through the presence of a clear privacy statement and the use of accurate reproductive science-backed information.

2. VR and AR Tools for Intimacy

Virtual and augmented reality has been around for more than a decade but their use has gone beyond education and entertainment. In the field of sexual wellness, VR and AR tools are being used to address a wide array of sexual issues, specifically topics on sexual identity and exploration. For instance, individuals who suffer from performance anxiety can use VR and AR to take part in immersive experiences that help activate their libido and overcome a deep-seated aversion to intercourse.

Couples can also use AR and VR devices to try out fantasy scenarios that allow them to add variety to their intimate sessions. These tools can also provide an avenue for developing essential skills that can help develop intimacy, such as clear communication and an awareness of their partner’s physical limitations especially when they’re trying out new positions.

A more advanced use of VR technology involves allowing couples to communicate with a virtual therapist within a controlled and safe environment. It may take some time before such technology becomes available but continued development is guaranteed as AI for healthcare becomes more sophisticated.

3. Smart Sex Toys

It’s impossible to talk about tech-driven sexual wellness without talking about devices and toys that come with features meant to elevate sensations and increase libido among partners experiencing low performance. The emergence of smart sex toys is expected to help couples explore new ways of satisfying each other through tech-assisted erotic stimulation.

A study published in Springer Nature refers to these devices collectively as teledildonics which offer a range of features, from haptic functionalities that mimic the sensation of a human’s touch from a distance to devices that enable a greater awareness of an individual’s response to sexual stimulation.

The use of smart sex toys is still a subject of concern among wellness experts, some of whom are skeptical of their capability of bringing the same intimacy that actual human contact is capable of delivering. However, there is promise in the idea of using tech-driven stimulation to treat a wide range of issues in the area of sexual wellness. Individuals suffering from erotic dysfunctions may find value in using such tools to help them feel more relaxed and address underlying issues requiring assistive stimulation.

4. Telehealth for Sexual Wellness

The past few years have seen an increase in the use of video conferencing not just for work but also as a means for improving wellness. People have such tools as Zoom and Google Meet to connect with their friends and family members over long distances. The health sector has banked on this growing trend by doubling down on the use of telehealth platforms.

Used primarily by physicians and mental health practitioners, telehealth focusing on sexual wellness is a relatively new market. Couples cite the convenience it brings in addressing challenges to intimacy that require professional guidance.

By connecting to a sexual health expert online, they can gain access to valuable information about physical and emotional barriers that get in the way of a more fulfilling sex life. This year will only see more sexual wellness professionals offer their services with the help of telehealth platforms.

Endnote

Exciting times await couples who are eager to explore new ways of expressing intimacy. This year will only see the emergence of more advanced tools that elevate lovemaking in the months and years to come.