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Penis pump
By Mayo Clinic staffMayo Clinic Health Manager
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Definition
A penis pump is one option to treat erectile dysfunction, the inability to get or maintain an erection. Also called a vacuum pump or vacuum constriction device, a penis pump consists of a plastic tube that fits over the penis, one or more rubber constriction bands, and a hand or battery-powered pump.
Using a penis pump may be a good option for you if erectile dysfunction medications don't work and penile implant surgery isn't a good choice. A penis pump may also help you maintain penis size and regain sexual function following prostate surgery.
Why it's done
Erectile dysfunction is a common problem, especially in older men and following prostate surgery. Treatments for erectile dysfunction include the oral medications Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, medications inserted into the urethra, medications given by injection directly into the penis and surgically placed penile implants. A penis pump may be a good choice if these treatments cause side effects, don't work or aren't safe for you.
Penis pumps can be a good erectile dysfunction treatment for several reasons:
- Less chance of problems. The risk of side effects or complications is the lowest of any erectile dysfunction treatment.
- Cost. After the initial purchase, using a penis pump costs less than any other type of erectile dysfunction treatment.
- Penis pumps are noninvasive. Penis pumps don't require surgery, injections or inserting medication into the tip of your penis.
- A penis pump can be used with other treatments. You can use a penis pump along with medications or a penile implant.
- Benefits following surgery. Using a penis pump may help you regain sexual function after surgery to remove your prostate (radical prostatectomy) or after radiation therapy. If you have a prostatectomy or surgery for Peyronie's disease, using a penis pump may maintain the length and girth of your penis.
Risks
Although penis pumps are safe for most men, there are some potential risks:
- If you take blood-thinning medications (Coumadin or aspirin for example), you could injure yourself and cause bleeding. Your doctor can give you tips on how to avoid injury.
- A penis pump may not be safe if you have sickle cell anemia or another blood disorder that makes you susceptible to blood clots or bleeding.
Tell your doctor about all of your health conditions and any medications you take. This will help you prevent any problems.
Side effects
Side effects of using a penis pump can include:
- Pinpoint-sized red dots caused by bleeding under the surface of the skin of the penis (petechiae)
- Numbness, coldness or bluish-colored skin when the constriction band is in place
- Lack of firmness at the base of the penis, which can cause pivoting
- Pain or bruising of the penis
- Delayed ejaculation or a sense of trapped semen during ejaculation
How you prepare
Before using a penis pump, get a thorough medical exam. In some cases, erectile dysfunction has an underlying cause that can be treated.
Choosing a penis pump
Some penis pumps are available without a prescription, but talk to your doctor before purchasing one. If you and your doctor decide a penis pump is a good treatment choice for you, your doctor may recommend or prescribe a specific model. That way you can be sure it suits your needs and that it's made by a reputable manufacturer. Penis pumps available in magazines and sex ads may not be safe or effective. Make sure whatever model of penis pump you use has a vacuum limiter, which keeps pressure from getting too high and injuring your penis.
What you can expect
Using a penis pump requires a few simple steps:
- To begin, you place the plastic tube over your penis.
- 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.
- Once you have an erection, you slip a tension ring around the base of your penis. This helps you maintain the erection by keeping blood inside the penis.
- You then remove the vacuum device.
It will probably take about two to three minutes to get an erection once you're accustomed to using the device. The erection typically lasts long enough to have sex. Don't leave the tension ring in place for more than 30 minutes — cutting off blood flow for too long may injure your penis.
Results
Penis pumps are an effective erectile dysfunction treatment for many men. They don't cure erectile dysfunction, but they can create an erection firm enough for you to have sexual intercourse. Some men get the best results using a combination of medications and a penis pump. Penis pumps can also be used by men who have a penile implant in place.
Many advertisements in magazines and on the Internet market penis pumps with the claim that they can be used to increase penis length or girth, but there's no evidence that they work for this purpose. While using a penis pump is a safe way for men with erectile dysfunction to achieve an erection, attempting to use a penis pump to enlarge the penis could cause injury.
Penis pumps do have some drawbacks:
- Unnatural feeling erection. Penis pumps can cause an erection that doesn't feel natural or spontaneous.
- Awkwardness. Use of a penis pump requires patience and understanding from both you and your partner. It may take some time to become comfortable with the device.
- Manual dexterity is required. Penis pumps require use of the hands and fingers to operate, which can be a problem for some men.
- Feeling of trapped semen. You may feel like your semen is trapped when you ejaculate. Some manufacturers make constriction rings with a small cutout that may help with this.
- You may need to shave. You may have to shave your pubic hair at the base of your penis so that the pump can get a good seal.
- Lue TF, et al. Evaluation and nonsurgical management of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. In: Wein AJ, et al.: Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/150118548-5/0/1445/25.html?tocnode=54301368&fromURL=25.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50024-8--cesec102_1931. Accessed July 16, 2009.
- Zippe CD. Vacuum erection devices to treat erectile dysfunction and early penile rehabilitation following radical prostatectomy. Current Urology Reports. 2008;9:506.
- 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 July 16, 2009.
- Aghamir MK, et al. A vacuum device for penile elongation: Fact or fiction? BJU International. 2004;97:777.
