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Commentary

Accessibility to Andrology Medical Devices in Arab-Muslim Countries

Urology Department, Mohammed V Military Hospital, Rabat 10045, Morocco
Soc. Int. Urol. J. 2024, 5(1), 54-55; https://doi.org/10.3390/siuj5010010
Submission received: 22 June 2023 / Revised: 14 August 2023 / Accepted: 21 August 2023 / Published: 17 February 2024

Abstract

:
Highlighting the restricted access to andrology medical devices in Arab Muslim countries, where unjust associations with sexual instruments lead to prohibitions, this commentary underscores the challenges in providing appropriate medical care for andrological conditions. Despite the crucial role of devices like penile extenders, vacuum devices, and vibrators in treating conditions such as Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction, cultural and religious biases condemn them in certain regions. This lack of understanding deprives many patients of andrological treatments, limiting therapeutic options and equitable healthcare access. The commentary advocates for urology societies to raise awareness, engage policymakers, and use media to distinguish these devices from sex toys, emphasizing their medical nature for the benefit of patients.

We want to address a concerning issue related to the use of medical devices in andrology within Arab Muslim countries, where they are unjustly associated with sexual devices and, thus, prohibited (Table 1).
As a practitioner experienced in this field, I feel the need to share my concerns regarding the negative impact of this situation on the provision of appropriate medical care. Andrology, a medical branch dedicated to specific issues faced by men, particularly focuses on conditions affecting male genital organs.
These medical devices play a crucial role in the treatment of numerous andrological conditions, such as penile extenders used in multimodal therapies for Peyronie’s disease or micropenises [1,2,3], vacuum devices with or without penile rings, which have an impact on erectile dysfunction or penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy or penile prosthesis placement [1,4], and vibrators designed for ejaculation disorders or sperm retrieval in spinal cord injury patients [5,6]. Thus, they have demonstrated their ability to significantly improve the quality of life of patients when used under medical supervision.
However, in some Arab Muslim countries, restrictive cultural and religious interpretations associate these devices with sexual instruments and, therefore, condemn them. This association is based on a lack of understanding of the medical nature of these instruments, as well as deeply ingrained cultural biases. As a result, many patients in these countries cannot benefit from appropriate andrological treatments. Healthcare professionals face significant barriers when it comes to prescribing or recommending these devices to their patients, severely limiting the available therapeutic options and failing to ensure equitable access to suitable care for patients, regardless of their culture or religious beliefs.
It is essential for national and international urological societies to raise public awareness about the importance of these devices and communicate with policymakers by providing strong scientific evidence to clarify the distinction between these devices and sex toys. Lastly, the use of media can help amplify this movement and bring more attention to it.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Mehr, J.; Santarelli, S.; Green, T.P.; Beetz, J.; Panuganti, S.; Wang, R. Emerging Roles of Penile Traction Therapy and Vacuum Erectile Devices. Sex. Med. Rev. 2022, 10, 421–433. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Jamali, M.; F’adama, C.; Melang Mvomo, A.; Boukhlifi, Y.; Alami, M.; Ameur, A. (377) Optimization of the Medical Protocol for the Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease. J. Sex. Med. 2023, 20 (Suppl. 1), qdad060.351. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  3. Petrovich, R.Y.; Sokolschik, M.M.; Tyuzikov, I.A.; Konstantinova, I.V.; Astakhova, M.A. Optimization of modern conservative therapy of micropenis in hypogonadal men. Urologiia 2014, 6, 82–87. [Google Scholar]
  4. Yuan, J.; Hoang, A.N.; Romero, C.A.; Lin, H.; Dai, Y.; Wang, R. Vacuum therapy in erectile dysfunction--science and clinical evidence. Int. J. Impot. Res. 2010, 22, 211–219, Erratum in Int. J. Impot. Res. 2010, 22, 290. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  5. Abdel-Hamid, I.A.; Ali, O.I. Delayed Ejaculation: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. World J. Mens. Health 2018, 36, 22–40. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Sønksen, J.; Ohl, D.A. Penile vibratory stimulation and electroejaculation in the treatment of ejaculatory dysfunction. Int. J. Androl. 2002, 25, 324–332. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Table 1. List of various Arab-Muslim countries surveyed regarding the status of andrology devices.
Table 1. List of various Arab-Muslim countries surveyed regarding the status of andrology devices.
CountryStatut *
MoroccoProhibited
AlgeriaProhibited
TunisiaProhibited
SenegalProhibited
MalaysiaProhibited
LibyaProhibited
MauritaniaProhibited
MaldivesProhibited
PakistanProhibited
United Arab EmiratesUnclear legislation
SudanProhibited
Saudi ArabiaRecently Approved
SyriaUnclear legislation
JordanSome devices prohibited
Burkina FasoProhibited
DjiboutiProhibited
* Information obtained from practitioners in these countries through professional social networks.
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MDPI and ACS Style

Jamali, M. Accessibility to Andrology Medical Devices in Arab-Muslim Countries. Soc. Int. Urol. J. 2024, 5, 54-55. https://doi.org/10.3390/siuj5010010

AMA Style

Jamali M. Accessibility to Andrology Medical Devices in Arab-Muslim Countries. Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal. 2024; 5(1):54-55. https://doi.org/10.3390/siuj5010010

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jamali, Mounir. 2024. "Accessibility to Andrology Medical Devices in Arab-Muslim Countries" Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal 5, no. 1: 54-55. https://doi.org/10.3390/siuj5010010

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