Phallosan Traction - Representative Topic

[Hawk]

I am posting this to designate this topic to Phallosan.  Phallosan is a penis traction system that differs from the standard rod traction system.

A representative of Phallosan was courteous enough to request permission to post here under full disclosure in compliance of rule number 9 of our forum rules.  He has chosen the screen name of the product he represents. The presence of this topic does not imply any official forum endorsement of this product but rather an open mind about a product that is used by many and that shows some potential in the treatment of Peyronies Disease.  Members can feel free to ask questions, share points of view (pro or con) and to debate issues posted here as long as everyone follows forum rules.

Hawk
Administrator

[UrsusMinor]

Thanks for opening this topic, Hawk. I've been curious about the Phallosan product, because it is mentioned in posts scattered all over the forum, but it is actually difficult to find a real discussion on the issue.

To tell the truth, from going to the Phallosan website, I can see how the vacuum is applied to grip the penis, but I can't figure out how the tension is regulated. It's odd, because there are plenty of videos there (and I think I've watched them all), but the basic mechanical principle isn't well-explained.

[james1947]

Phallosan forum member

Can you be kind and answer to Ursus post below mine?

James

[skunkworks]

My question would be, what evidence/studies are there to show that low level traction works for peyronie's disease? We have studies for spring loaded traction devices at 3-8hrs a day, but so far I've seen none about these 'all day stretcher' type devices that create tension using an elastic band.

[Jonbinspain]

I would agree with Skunkworks. Until I can find some verifiable, completely independent evidence of this device's effectiveness, I think I'll keep the $340 or so in my pocket.

[UrsusMinor]

There is some short, peer-reviewed, published evidence for the device's effects on penile lengthening. So I am willing to believe it works for that.

There is also a statistical study, probably paid for by the company, that gives a lot of various results of a trial. It has not been published, but is interesting. Only one person in the study group had curvature (listed in the study as "Penis Deviation"). In three months that single patient was reported as having a curvature decrease from 60 to 40 degrees.

Both of those studies are downloadable from the "Clinical Studies" page at the company's website.

I agree with both of you that this is a long way from proof of effectiveness for Peyronie's--but it does seem suggestive. There certainly isn't the kind of evidence that there is for spring-loaded traction--but that, too, was long in coming. The real question here is whether non-directional stretching can be as effective as the confined stretching seen with standard traction.

Still, I find the device quite interesting. I purchased a spring-loaded traction device, and, even though I am out of pocket quite a bit of money, I find the device so uncomfortable, cumbersome, and unwearable that I doubt I will ever find myself using it on a steady enough basis to get any benefit from it. It resembles, as Old Man puts it, "A medieval torture device." Irrespective of what the studies say, I suspect I wasted my money because I probably won't use the damn thing.

So if there are realistic alternatives, I'd like to know about them.  

[aazmaish]

was there any reply from the company regarding our querries (of below)..
sorry i could not locate any !
thanks  

[james1947]

aazmaish

You can't locate any because was not any

James

[29mUK]

To tell the truth, from going to the Phallosan website, I can see how the vacuum is applied to grip the penis, but I can't figure out how the tension is regulated. It's odd, because there are plenty of videos there (and I think I've watched them all), but the basic mechanical principle isn't well-explained.

I very recently bought a Phallosan Forte in haste due to concerns over the sudden shortening & worsening of curvature of my unit.

I was reluctant to use a device with a noose because of the location of my plaque (right below my glans) &, like you, I couldn't foresee that I would get in a great deal of hours using one of the more torturous looking devices, so opted for something I could discreetly wear during the day at work. It fits that bill fairly well, being undetectable to the eye - provided you're wearing loose clothing. Due to the design of the clasp which secures the belt, however, it's near impossible to move about without it squeaking. I've seen comments from "users" on other boards who claim they wear it whilst working out, but based on my (limited) experience wearing it whilst going about my daily duties, I have to call BS on that. It's comfortable to wear, but you're conscious it's there; so I don't believe anyone seriously working out would get on too well with it (unless "working out" simply involves 20 minutes of steady strolling on a treadmill).

With reference to your question about how the traction is regulated, this is something which is troubling me too. The vacuum clips on to a gauge which is colour coded (green to red) to help the user see what amount of force is being applied. Sounds great but in practice it doesn't really work. You could be as careful as possible about ensuring this gauge is reading green, but the infinite number of positions at which you can wear the belt mean that the force can vary considerably despite this meter reading the same. I have taken to pulling the belt quite high up my back so that the penis is angled in a way which doesn't impede how I walk. Despite the fact that this creates more tension on the unit, the reading on the gauge doesn't seem to reflect that accurately. Unfortunately I've consequently found myself in a position where I seem to be frequently irritating my penis & having to take breaks from using the belt. It should be noted that I'm still in the acute phase, so part of this might be because the area is a little tender anyway.

Another massive negative for me is how difficult it is to remove the device once you've finished a session. I am fairly girthy, but nonetheless I'm sure there are people with wider members around. When I come to remove the sleeve condom, it's very difficult to get your fingers underneath it to remove it, & roll it over the vacuum bell. Very difficult, & at times a bit painful. I thought this might get easier with practice, but that hasn't helped. So I raised the issue with the manufacturer, who sent me some "next gen" sleeves to try instead (at no charge, & very efficiently, I would add!). However, whilst these alleviated the problem slightly, it remains an issue unfortunately.

All in all, at this point in time I wouldn't recommend the PF. I wouldn't condemn it either, & I intend to continue experimenting with it in the hope I will be able to find a way of using it which works for me. Having spent all that cash on it, I'm loathed to do anything less! My aim is to slow down the progression of this disorder, & reclaim some of my lost length... so I'm keeping my fingers crossed thatbi can find a way to use the PF to help with those goals! In the meantime, the jury's still out...

[29mUK]

& btw, if you DO acquire one of these, don't make the mistake of falling asleep wearing it - as I did! Despite the fact I had it right at the lowest level of traction possible, & despite the manufacturer's claim that it's safe to wear it for 8 hours at a time without a break (which contradicts the guidance on every other traction device I've ever seen), my peen felt like it was on fire for a few days afterwards! Consider yourself warned lol

[UrsusMinor]

29mUK--Thanks so much for all the info and review! That was far more helpful than anything I found elsewhere. (Most of the comments I found were either so enthusiastic that I think they were advertisements, or were things written by complete meatheads from the PE community.)

Let us know if your opinion changes as you keep working with it.

(Meanwhile, what ever happened to that PF representative?)

[29mUK]

what ever happened to that PF representative?

He's quite active on the PE Gym forums, & - to his credit - he's helpful. His forté (pun intended) though is extending the penis, as opposed to use of traction as a tool to treat Peyronies Disease... I'm not sure he'd be able to answer a lot of the questions people on here would have because, as far as I'm aware, there was only one Peyronies Disease sufferer in their clinical trial. Difficult to generalise the results he got to a wider audience.

[messyties]

I bought the PF. In all, I wouldn't recommend to people. I've had it for 4 months and it's broken already. First, the clip on the belt broke. I secured it with cable ties and this extended the life of it, but the pressure gauge snapped last night.

It is pretty comfortable to wear but, as mentioned before, it is difficult to choose the correct pressure. Also, the elastic belt stretches over time. You will have to replace the parts fairly regularly, it seems, which will add more cost to the already expensive price.

Lastly, the customer service is absolutely terrible. It takes days to get a response from them. I've looked at getting a replacement belt when it broke. I waited 4-5 days for a response to one of my mails. This is terrible when you are trying to keep up with your treatment.

In summation, it is comfortable but there are too many negatives to warrant spending that amount of cash.