Alex Henderson

Bedroom Boost: Forget Viagra— These Male Sex Enhancement Products Are Here to Stay

By Alex Henderson

When you think of male sexual enhancement, Viagra springs to mind. However, Viagra is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sexual enhancement products for men. In 2017, male sexual enhancement has seen an upgrade from the usual pill popping to include everything from gels, sprays and creams to penis pumps, penis extenders and cock rings.

Many companies specializing in sex toys and pleasure products have been consistent manufacturers of enhancement products. Let’s take a look at Doc Johnson. Founded in Los Angeles in 1976, Doc Johnson is a pleasure products institution that seeks  to increase the sexual experience with a multitude of toys and enhancement gear. 

Chad Braverman, COO and CCO of Doc Johnson, explained that increasingly, male enhancement products are being marketed to consumers from the standpoint of sexual health and wellness. And Doc Johnson, Braverman said, is selling enhancement products in a way that is both male-friendly and couples-friendly.

“Many of our cosmetic male enhancement products are consistently best-sellers, including our Plump, Sta-Erect and Power Plus formulas,” Braverman noted. “Penis extenders, like our popular Xtend It Kits, also do very well for us.”

Doc Johnson’s OptiMALE line has featured a variety of enhancement products.

“Our OptiMALE collection is a perfect illustration of the future of male sexual health and wellness products,” Braverman asserted. “OptiMALE incorporates a variety of high-quality materials and designs — from cock rings made of luxurious black and slate silicone to an array of sexual enhancement creams, sprays and gels made from natural ingredients like tea tree oil, aloe and Vitamin E. As the first ever comprehensive men’s sexual health and wellness collection, every aspect of the line — from the naturally derived body products to the smart designs and the sleek packaging — makes OptiMALE the perfect essential go-to brand that men can trust. Customers love the entire collection, which shows us that people are willing to spend a little extra when it comes to higher-quality products.”

Braverman added, “As far as the latest and greatest in male performance enhancements, we had a fantastic 2016. And that momentum is definitely carrying over into 2017 as well. Our OptiMALE Rechargeable Vibrating C-Ring — a vibrating cock ring that creates stronger erections and more powerful orgasms for the wearer, while providing clitoral stimulation to the partner all throughout penetration — was released in May 2016 and has quickly become one of our best-selling products in any category.”  

Nasstoys, founded in 1978, has been in business almost as long as Doc Johnson and has a long history of offering male enhancement products. Kathryn Hartman, Nasstoys’ sales and marketing director, pointed to “herbal supplements, prescription drugs, desensitizing creams and sprays and penis enlargement pumps” as some of the best-selling products for improving male sexual performance. And Hartman cited Anal Ese, Sta-Hard China Shrink Cream and China Nympho Cream Stallion Spray as some of Nasstoys’ top sellers.  

Asked who is the target demographic for male enhancement products, Hartman replied, “Everyone likes a little gravy with their potatoes; so, I would say men, women and couples of all varieties.” And when Hartman was asked if products with immediate effects were preferred by men, she said, “I think that men do not always want their partner to know that they are using an enhancement product; so, a small time delay is usually preferable, at least long enough to get from the car to the house or from the bathroom medicine cabinet to the living room couch, kitchen counter or — more vanilla — bed.”  

Hartman continued, “The human capacity for sexual creativity is limitless. Therefore, the potential for new ideas and new products is infinite. As people become more sensually adventurous, pleasure products will continue to be perfected and tweaked in materials and design, safety and anatomical correctness.”

Founded by Susan Colvin in 1994, CalExotics has been manufacturing sex toys and pleasure products for 23 years — and Nichole Grossmann, CalExotics’ assistant director of marketing, said that the company has continued to forge ahead technologically with its penis pumps.

“The latest innovations from CalExotics come from advanced technology,” Grossmann explained. “This includes rechargeable motors, which can be seen in the Automatic Power Pump. This pump also offers a digital display option with advanced controls, making it even more desirable. CalExotics’ newest pump, the Advanced Fireman’s Pump, is highly advanced with fully automatic controls and a one-handed design. Male shoppers are always searching for the next best thing, and we offer just that with our pumps.”

Vadim Days, a spokesperson for Bathmate and Brand One, noted that penis pumps have been a high priority for Bathmate.

“At Bathmate, the best-selling lines are the Hercules and the Hydromel X30,” Days explained. “Both these pumps are aimed at the man who has an average-size penis of less than seven inches when erect. Both pumps are available in three colors: clear, blue and red, with clear and blue selling best. The main differences between the Hercules and the Hydromax X30 are: the Hydromax X30 has a new, improved comfort pad which slides into the gaiter, improving rigidity, and will never need replacing. The Hercules has a glued-on comfort pad, which due to the fact that it’s used in water at some point, will need replacing. They are inexpensive, but we are always trying to improve the design.”

Days continued, “The second improvement is the lockable latch valve on the Hydromax X30. On the Hercules, you have to keep your finger on the valve when filling and positioning the pump. With the Hydromax X30, you can lock the valve — meaning it’s easier to fill and place the pump against the body.”

Jo Racklin, regional director for Pound International, said that the company’s STUD 100 Delay Spray can be used with other enhancement products, including cock rings.

“I am personally biased and would argue that a quality and genuine climax control delay spray has been, and continues to be, a reliable enhancement product,” Racklin stressed. “It seems that pills are doing very well these days too in terms of sales numbers — probably due to how easy they are to have on hand — and are easily managed. C-rings seem to be a very friendly companion to have in one’s treasure chest, as they are discreet and affordable. What seems to be happening is that men are opting to explore several complimentary products at once. Using a c-ring with a delay spray can maximize the pleasure and prolong the fun.”

Racklin added that in 2017, pleasure product manufacturers and distributors are placing greater emphasis on adult sex education — and the more knowledgeable retailers become, she said, the better it is for consumers who are buying enhancement products.

“As sales staff at retail locations are becoming more involved with truly learning about products, they are better able to educate and introduce new items to consumers,” Racklin observed. “There are many options to choose from, and I believe that men — and couples — are willing to explore more ways to enhance great sex.”•••