Page 28 - AVN Intimate Summer 2018

FEATURE
innovative new products that fulfill those demands—products that consumers
actively want and desire, but that don’t exist yet,” Braverman explained. “We
also have a truly excellent R&D team that regularly brings out new product
that consumers didn’t even know they needed, but that spark such high
demand that they create and fill a gap in the market all at once.
“These are the blueprints we utilize for all of our collections and our
product development, and we’ve created a wide variety of really fantastic,
groundbreaking brands and products that people truly connect with, based on
this approach,” he added.
“These are the blueprints we utilize for all
of our collections and our product
development, and we’ve created a wide
variety of really fantastic, groundbreaking
brands and products that people truly
connect with, based on this approach.”
—Chad Braverman, Doc Johnson
Understanding the function of the prostate is key for manufacturers and
retailers when it comes to taking away the fear, stigma and mystery for
customers. The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ and its main
function is to secrete prostate fluid, one of the components of semen. The
muscles of the prostate gland also help propel this seminal fluid into the
urethra during ejaculation. It surrounds the urethra just beneath the bladder,
and can usually be reached by a finger inserted in the anus, or it can be
stimulated with the use of a pleasure product. Massaging, or “milking,” the
prostate can help keep it healthy, as well as provide intense sexual pleasure.
But for many Americans, anal play is a bit too “taboo,” and many men
associate anal play with homosexuality.
“First of all using your prostate doesn’t make you gay,” Reimer noted. “A
lot of guys are missing out on one of the most intense sexual pleasure points
that are built into their own body, and it’s our job to educate men about that. If
a man doesn’t have a willing partner to help find and stimulate their prostate,
we have several toys that can help. Stimulating your prostate frequently
can release toxins that allow the prostate to avoid cancer, and now that the
American Cancer Society has just announced newly updated guidelines for
28 | INTIMATE | SUMMER 2018
colon and rectal cancer screenings to start at age 45 instead of 50, it’s
really important to start paying attention now.”
Learning about prostate health also teaches men how it can affect
other areas of their lives, including overall physical and mental
health, as well as personal relationships, said Colvin.
“Issues around sexual health can also affect a man’s confidence,
which may lead to larger intimacy issues with his partner,” she
said. “Erectile dysfunction, for example, can affect a man’s sexual
performance and confidence. To help combat this issue we’ve
developed a prosthetic penis apparatus (PPA) attached to a jock
strap that allows a man to continue to provide thrilling pleasure
to their partner. The PPA can help build a man’s confidence as he
is still able to have intercourse with his partner, regardless of his
erectile dysfunction.
“When men are aware of sexual health issues, they can better
address them and find ways to have a fulfilling sex life and better
overall health,” Colvin added.
Carty echoed Reimer’s and Colvin’s assessments, and said she
believes anal play for men is an area of focus that will only get more
attention in the future.
“We have seen this trend grow worldwide in recent years as
prostate cancer and health has become more spoken about,” she
said. “I believe it’s only going to grow as more are educated and get
over the ‘anal taboo.’”
Braverman said men’s sexual health items is one of the fastest-
growing sectors for Doc Johnson, and it shows no signs of slowing
anytime soon.
“Since the launch of OptiMALE, many of our best-selling items
have come from that line,” he said. “It’s also a market that is still
falling short in terms of development, in comparison to a lot of
other categories within our industry, so we feel that there is a lot of
space for the OptiMALE collection in particular to grow—as well as
a lot of space for the male sexual enhancement category to grow.”
Pleasure Options The Revo from Nexus (top) and Doc Johnson’s OptiMALE UR3 Vibrating Stroker (bottom)
are just two of the scores of options available to men seeking to better their sexual health.