U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

  1. Home
  2. Medical Devices
  3. Device Advice: Comprehensive Regulatory Assistance
  4. Guidance Documents (Medical Devices and Radiation-Emitting Products)
  5. Clitoral Engorgement Devices - Class II Special Controls Guidance Document for Industry and FDA Reviewers
  1. Guidance Documents (Medical Devices and Radiation-Emitting Products)

Clitoral Engorgement Devices - Class II Special Controls Guidance Document for Industry and FDA Reviewers

Document issued on: July 3, 2000

CDRH Logo

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Center for Devices and Radiological Health

Obstetrics/Gynecology Device Branch
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, 
and Radiological Devices 
Office of Device Evaluation

 

Preface

Public Comment

Comments and suggestions may be submitted at any time for Agency consideration to Mr. Colin Pollard, Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Comments may not be acted upon by the Agency until the document is next revised or updated. For questions regarding the use or interpretation of this guidance, contact Julia Corrado at 301-796-6534 or by e-mail at julia.corrado@fda.hhs.gov.

Additional Copies

Additional copies are available from the Internet. You may also send an e-mail request to CDRH-Guidance@fda.hhs.gov to receive a copy of the guidance. Please use the document number 1144 to identify the guidance you are requesting

Class II Special Controls Guidance Document
for Clitoral Engorgement Devices

Background

On April 28, 2000, FDA reclassified clitoral engorgement devices from Class III designation to Class II. This guidance document describes a means by which clitoral engorgement devices may comply with the requirements of class II special controls. Designation of this guidance document as a special control means that manufacturers of clitoral engorgement devices, who follow the recommendations listed in this document before introducing their device into commercial distribution in the United States, will be able to market their device after they have submitted a premarket notification submission, referred to as a 510(k), and received a finding of "substantial equivalence" for their device. The firm must show that its device addresses the issues of safety and effectiveness identified in this guidance, either by meeting the recommendations of this guidance or by some other means that provides equivalent assurances of safety and effectiveness. 

Scope

FDA identifies this generic type of device as an obstetrical and gynecological device under 21 CFR 884.5970, product code NBV. This generic type of device, a clitoral engorgement device, is used to treat female sexual arousal disorder. This is done by the application of a vacuum to the clitoris.

The firm must show that its device addresses the issues of safety and effectiveness identified in this guidance, either by meeting the recommendations of this guidance or by some other means that provides equivalent assurances of safety and effectiveness.

Risks to Health

FDA has identified two risks to health associated with this type of device. These risks involve: 1) unknown effects of extended use, and 2) and improper use of the device due to misplacement or use of the device over compromised tissue.

Special Controls Guidance

FDA believes the following controls, when combined with the general controls of the act, will provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of this type device: labeling, design controls, and clinical information.

  1. Prescription labeling in accordance with 21 CFR §801.109.
  2. Patient labeling with instructions that:
    1. describe proper use of the device;
    2. clearly identify all device safety features and limits to its use;
    3. describe all relevant warning, precautions, and risks of the device and address the following issues: limited time of use, minimum time between uses, avoidance of device use under the influence of alcohol or drugs, caution that the device is not to be used as a contraceptive/birth control, use of minimal vacuum to achieve engorgement, cessation of device use if pain occurs, advice against device use over a piercing, exclusion of device use with oil-based lubricants or near water if appropriate; and risks of the device including rash, abrasion, irritation, bruising, hematoma, pain, permanent injury, aggravation of existing medical conditions, swelling and/or permanent injury to the clitoris; and,
    4. explain that the patient’s physician should be consulted if any irritation, bruising, or any other injury occurs while using the device.
       
  3. Device design to include safety mechanisms for quick release action of the device (e.g., vacuum ceasing mechanisms) and maximum safe operating limits (e.g., total time of use, maximum vacuum limiting mechanisms).
  4. Performance information to address safety and effectiveness issues related to device design. This may include information from the literature or from human studies. 

Premarket Notification Requirements 

FDA has determined that premarket notification is necessary to provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of this generic type of device, and therefore, the device type is not exempt from the premarket notification requirements. Thus, persons who intend to market a device of this type needs to submit a premarket notification to FDA and receive agency clearance prior to marketing the device.

Back to Top