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Do penis pumps work?
Having erectile dysfunction is difficult, but for the 50% of men over age 40 affected by ED in the US, knowing that there are options is a relief.
With so many treatment options–such as prescription ED pills, extreme surgeries, and customized medical therapies for long-term treatment or root causes–it’s hard to know the differences and make the best choice for your sexual health.
Let’s review how penis pumps and erectile dysfunction compare to other treatments.
What Is a Penis Pump?
A penis pump—also referred to as an ED pump in some circles—is basically a vacuum device.
It consists of a plastic tube that you insert your penis into. Once the penis is securely in place, you pump the air out. This forces blood into the penis through the blood vessels. You’ll have to place a ring or seal at the base of your penis in order to maintain an erection, otherwise, the short-term benefits will be lost.
There are different models. Some penis pumps have to be pumped manually but battery-powered pumps are also available.
Are Penis Pumps Better Than Other ED Treatments?
To be certain, you should consult a medical professional first to see if ED pumps are the right treatment for you.
While some doctors believe that penis pumps may be beneficial in some instances when compared to prescription pills or aggressive surgeries, using penis pumps alone is likely not sufficient as a long-term solution. Most professionals agree that penis pumps are best suited when coupled with medically sound erectile dysfunction treatment options that target the root issues of erectile dysfunction.
But a penis pump does have some drawbacks that need to be considered carefully.
Penis pumps require some preparation — meaning you can’t be as spontaneous as you might want. And using a penis pump with a partner who’s not used to seeing one might not understand it at first. Doctors don’t recommend going any further than 30 minutes if you’re having sex with a penis ring on.
How to Use a Penis Pump
There are many methods for maintaining a harder erection. Here’s how to use a vacuum erection device.
- Apply some lubrication to help form a seal between the pump and the skin at the base of your penis.
- Carefully insert your penis inside the tube.
- Turn on the pump (if battery-operated) or start pumping manually.
- Once you’ve achieved an erection, release the pressure and take your penis out of the tube.
- Place the penis ring (aka constriction ring) all the way down the base of the shaft to maintain the erection.
Some pumps are a bit different. It all depends on the manufacturer.
So, make sure that you review the included instructions to see how they should be used.
There are users of penis pump devices that shave the pubic hair around the base of the penis so that hair won’t get caught in the penis ring.
Reports say that a penis can stay erect for up to 30 minutes, but the duration varies between users. It will ultimately depend on the severity of the user’s ED and if they have other conditions like diabetes.
The Downsides: Penis Pump Side Effects
Using penis pumps does have side effects.
But first, let’s address one of the biggest penis pump misconceptions:
Vacuum devices are not penis enlargement products. A study showed that after 6 months of using a pump, the efficacy rate of vacuum treatment to make the penis longer is only 10% with results having no significant difference.
What is true is that the use penis pumps does have side effects under certain conditions. For one thing, you could risk bleeding if you use pumps while under blood-thinning medications. And if you have sickle cell anemia or any other blood disorder, we’d advise against using ED pumps altogether.
If you’re not sure if you should buy a penis pump, then consult with a men’s health clinic about treatments first to review your unique situation.
You and your partner should also talk about the ins and outs of using a penis pump to avoid the awkwardness that comes along with it, especially for first-time users.
Other penis pump side effects include:
- Pain
- Bruising
- Feeling of trapped semen
- Red dots (petechiae)
- Numbness of the penis
- Having blue-colored skin due to constriction
Some men report that their erections don’t feel natural, citing that the base of the penis doesn’t feel as firm as the upper part.
You Should Consult an Erectile Dysfunction Doctor Before Using a Penis Pump
With a global prevalence of 3% to 76.5%, cases of ED vary from person to person. Not everyone’s the same. There are people with ED who don’t need to use pumps. And in severe cases, an ED pump wouldn’t work anyway.
That’s why you should consult a doctor first before buying an ED pump.
Pumps can work against you if you have other underlying conditions or are taking specific medications. It could end up doing you more harm than good.
Only a doctor can tell whether it’s safe for you to use a pump or not. It’s best that you schedule an appointment with a specialist to know for sure.
If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, call the team at Preferred Men’s Medical Center now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff.