Penis pump

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What you can expect

By Mayo Clinic staff

Using a penis pump requires a few simple steps:

  1. To begin, you place the plastic tube over your penis.
  2. You then use a hand pump or electric pump attached to the tube to create a vacuum inside the tube and pull blood into the penis.
  3. Once you have an erection, you slip a rubber constriction ring around the base of your penis. This helps you maintain the erection by keeping blood inside the penis.
  4. You then remove the vacuum device.
  5. The erection typically lasts long enough to have sex.

It will probably take about two to three minutes to get an erection once you're accustomed to using the device. Don't leave the tension ring in place for more than 30 minutes — cutting off blood flow for too long may injure your penis.

References
  1. Lakin M. Erectile dysfunction. In: Carey WD. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1157836246&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6643-9..00053-9--s0035&isbn=978-1-4160-6643-9&uniqId=243566194-7. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  2. AUA guideline on the management of erectile dysfunction: Diagnosis and treatment recommendation. American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/main-reports/edmgmt/chapter1.pdf. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  3. Yuan J, et al. Vacuum therapy in erectile dysfunction - Science and clinical evidence. International Journal of Impotence Research. 2010;22:211.
  4. Nugteren, HM, et al. Penile enlargement: from medication to surgery. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 2010;36:118.
MY00795 Aug. 25, 2011

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