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By Mayo Clinic staffUsing 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.
- 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.
