Liz Paul recently stole the show at the British Female Inventor of the Year Awards, with Vielle; a noduled plastic stimulator that fits over the finger and was developed to help women achieve and enhance their orgasm. As soon as Cliterati found out about it, we had to learn more so we caught up with her.

Liz explains: "A colleague who worked with women with sexual dysfunction alerted me to the seriousness and prevalence of the problem. Pick up virtually any women’s magazine and you’d be forgiven for thinking that everybody else is having a fantastic time in bed. At best it’s intimidating, at worst, it can make you think that there’s something wrong with you if you don’t always attain orgasm. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Loss of libido, waning sex life and difficulty in reaching orgasm are surprisingly common problems affecting many women. Research has shown that 25% of women have orgasmic difficulties[i] with 40% admitting to a current sexual problem[ii]. I’ve been married to my husband for 23 years and have always had a really satisfying sex life so I was shocked to hear these statistics. I strongly felt that every woman has the right to a satisfying sex life but until now many have accepted that it is normal not to attain orgasm every time. I wanted to reassure women that they are not alone and that there is something that can help."

So what research did Liz do?

"It took three and a half years to develop. I read books like ‘The Clitoral Truth’ and Catherine Kalamis’ excellent ‘Women without Sex’. I also attended several meetings on Sexual Dysfunction in Hamburg, Rome and Montreal. A study was completed with Vielle™ by Professor Alan Riley and his wife Elizabeth a research sex therapist. Professor Riley is the UK’s only Professor of Sexual Medicine, at the Lancashire Postgraduate School of Medicine and Health, University of Central Lancashire. The study was designed to test the effect of Vielleä on sexual response induced by masturbation in female volunteers who claimed to be “orgasmic in response to masturbation.” Each subject reported on eight sessions of masturbation, four with and four without the use of Vielle. The sequence of Vielleä -use and non-use was randomised. The subjects timed the interval between the onset of stimulation and orgasm using an electric stop clock and they reported on their subjective experience following orgasm. Results showed that women using Vielleä were more likely to attain orgasm (95.3% of sessions with Vielle vs. 82.8% without). More significantly women using Vielle were achieving orgasm much more quickly (mean 5.57 minutes with Vielle vs. 13.05 minutes without). The use of Vielle was also associated with increased orgasmic satisfaction. "

And how many versions of the toy did she test before she settled on the eventual design?

"Vielle™ is not a toy but is the first product of its kind that is licensed by the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) with a class one medical device classification so that the product can be sold as an over the counter product through UK and European pharmacies. There were six prototypes in the development stages and the final version was designed by IDC (Industrial Design consultancy). Ergonomists gauged the size and fit for all North American and European women, and Vielle™ also fits a large percentage of men. The actual design was tried and tested each time through Prof Alan Riley’s. Professor Alan Riley and his wife Elizabeth, a research sex therapist, completed a study with Vielle™. Professor Riley is the UK’s only Professor of Sexual Medicine, at the Lancashire Postgraduate School of Medicine and Health, University of Central Lancashire. The study was designed to test the effect of Vielleä on sexual response induced by masturbation in female volunteers who claimed to be “orgasmic in response to masturbation.” Each subject reported on eight sessions of masturbation, four with and four without the use of Vielleä. The sequence of Vielleä -use and non-use was randomised. The subjects timed the interval between the onset of stimulation and orgasm using an electric stop clock and they reported on their subjective experience following orgasm. Results showed that women using Vielleä were more likely to attain orgasm (95.3% of sessions with Vielle vs. 82.8% without). More significantly women using Vielleä were achieving orgasm much more quickly (mean 5.57 minutes with Vielle vs. 13.05 minutes without). The use of Vielle was also associated with increased orgasmic satisfaction."

The disposable device, which comes in a pack of three costing £9.95 has already proved a big hit on the internet, sold over 1,000 packs in its first day. Says Liz "Vielle is currently available by mail order by calling 0870 727 4193 and can also be ordered online by visiting www.vielle.info. It will be available in Boots stores from June and is priced £9.99 for three individual units. Many of the women who would benefit from Vielle™ would not feel comfortable entering a sex shop, or buying a vibrator. Vielle™ also offers guidance to women about their bodies and also about how to masturbate. You would be surprised at how many women and men are completely unfamiliar with the workings of the female anatomy – and how are women expected to gain pleasure from something that is a mystery to them? Vielle™ offers women the opportunity to experiment without guilt or shame."

So on to the nitty-gritty. How does it work?

"Vielle’s unique design is the result of extensive research as well as a comprehensive understanding of the female anatomy. Research ascertained the size, shape, rigidity and positioning of the nodules to optimise stimulation and produce the most pleasurable sensations, either alone or with a partner. The result is a small, discreet, clear soft plastic, clitoral stimulator that does not require batteries, fits snugly onto the finger and has been clinically proven to make orgasm more intense, quicker and easier to reach."

So how did Liz's friends and family think of her inventing the product and winning the award?

"My sister was embarrassed at first, until I explained that Vielle™ was not a sex toy but medical product for helping women overcome a particular problem. My family are very proud that I have invented such a practical and helpful product and they were also thrilled when won the British Female Inventor of the Year Health Award 2003 – they have been supportive throughout."

And finally, does Liz think there's a taboo surrounding female masturbation?

"There has been in the past but hopefully with the introduction of Vielle™ people will no longer associate masturbation with shame and will feel free to discover themselves."