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Penis Pumps or |
Most of us, if spending any time in a sex shop or paging through the back of adult magazines, have seen these wonders of modern technology. Look at the colors! Look at the tubes! Look at what they promise to do! |
Let's start with reasons why anyone would choose to use a pump. |
Statue of Priapus in Ephesus Museum. |
It's obvious that these pumps offer untold hours of ecstasy and will transform your perfectly normal male appendage into a phallus of Priapic proportion. Hate to break it to you, but it's just not that easy. |
Less chance of problems. The risk of side effects or complications is the lowest of any erectile dysfunction treatment. |
The Electric - Battery powered pumps are the ultimate in ease of use. Just press a small button on the head of the pump and it does all the work. Electric pumps offer all the bells and whistles any serious pumper could want. Aside from fully regulated suction and various settings, they offer a more or less hands-free pumping experience. |
OK! If there are so many wonderful reasons to use a penis pump, why aren't they a natural choice for all guys? Well, the fact is, penis pumps, or Vacuum Erectile Devices (VED's) have gotten a bad rap from the above mentioned porn shops and late night infomercials. The average consumer sees pumps as simply a way for less-than-secure men to compensate for perceived shortcomings. Contrary to the ubiquitous marketing, they do NOT really make a huge difference in penis size. Yes, they will make a flaccid penis look downright pendulous if used right before presenting yourself to your partner. But the ensuing erection only firms up what is already there. Anecdotal evidence suggests that if used at least once a day for many months, erections will get slightly larger, but the effect goes away in a few days if pumping is discontinued. |
But let's assume that your curiosity is piqued and we want to explore the use of VED's beyond recreational toys. |
There are five basic types of VED's. |
The Squeeze Ball - The squeeze ball appears to be the most common type of pump and the most widely used - at least among the sex shop models. A rubber squeeze ball, such as that used to pump up a blood pressure cuff in the doctor's office, is attached to an air valve, then to a hose which attaches to the tube. With the air valve closed, the ball is squeezed and air is removed from the tube creating a vacuum. The more times you squeeze, the stronger the suction becomes. To release the pressure, simply open the air valve. |
The Plunger - This works a lot like a bicycle tire pump. Generally on only the least expensive sex shop pumps, but Encore uses the plunger system on its OTC manual model. Probably worth spending a few more dollars to get a system that does not require quite so vigorous physical effort. |
The Hand Grip - Considered by many to be the best for OTC manual penis pumping, the grip type pump is quite popular with those who have tried more than one. Hand grip penis pumps are said to be better at regulating pressure. |
The lever pump - Used by many medical grade manufacturers, the lever lies along the body of the pump freeing up the other hand for more interesting activities. Generally considered to be the best of the manual pumps. |
If you're beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed with just these choices, don't worry, it gets a lot worse. Because of the huge money making potential of capitalizing on male sexual aides, there are an enormous number of VED's on the market. Of course, they all do pretty much the same thing. It's safe to say, though, that they fall into two major categories: The sex shop pumps intended to increase the size of the penis as well as keep blood flowing after surgery; and the medical pumps intended to enable men to have intercourse. They can all do the former, but not all can accomplish the latter. We cannot begin to discuss the thousands of sex shop pumps on the market. The fact is, they are relatively quite inexpensive ($25-$60), so if you have to try one or two until you find one you like, you are not out all that much money. There are a handful of medical grade pumps, but even they are overwhelming. Most companies have both an OTC line and a more expensive line which most guys use if insurance will pay for it. |
To Begin... |
OK. You've done your research, talked to your doctor or perhaps you're a lone ranger and have just picked one off the internet. You put the thing together and you're all set to give it a test run. The VED comes with a booklet with some diagrams. Many of the good VED's even come with a DVD showing a live model using the pump. It looks so easy and neat. So, you load on the constriction ring, get things lubed up. You stick your penis into it, start pumping and one of two things usually happens. The most common? Nothing happens. The next likely thing? Your scrotal tissue and perhaps even one testicle get sucked up into the cylinder and you experience pain like you've never felt before. Isn't life grand? What price we're willing to pay for sex! This is going to take some practice - LOTS of practice. |
First - you need to prepare your work area. You definitely need to trim and/or shave the pubic hair around the base of your penis. There is nearly universal agreement on this. |
How to Trim or Shave Your PUBES. |
Second - make sure you have a good seal between your body and the pump cylinder. You can achieve this by using lots of lube or, best of all, the foam penis sleeve from USAmediquip. Standing or sitting are the best positions. As you begin pumping, keep a couple fingers on your scrotum gently pulling or holding the skin from getting pulled into the VED. |
Let's face it - VED's are pretty barbaric and can be a real challenge to master. They absolutely will give you a usable erection, but there are some built in challenges. Getting a good seal that is painless is vital. The constriction ring snaps off the cylinder and onto your dick. If you're lucky, it's not too bad. But it can pinch and even bruise your shaft. |
There is a company in Ann Arbor, Michigan that found a brilliant solution to these problems. You are STRONGLY encouraged to not even begin using a VED until you have purchased some key items from them. |
John Marchello, consultant for USAmediquip, had surgery for PCa in 1999. Erectile function did not return so he tried everything in the ED arsenal. For over thirty years, John had worked in Durable Medical Equipment Design. He made it his mission to find the best and the ultimate device, therapy, or treatment that will help men and women living with ED get back to full, loving and enjoyable intimate sex. In his own journey, he had avoided vacuum therapy because of the seemingly unromantic complexity of mechanical devices and the techniques to be mastered. When he finally tried them, and mastered the various techniques, he found that vacuum therapy "lifted his sexual performance to new heights, to new bliss." |
John Marchello invented two major additions to the ED world. The first is the Prelude. The Prelude is a penile therapy aid which can be used in combination with every other kind of treatment, as well as penile rehab for immediately after surgery. It is essentially a very flexible sheath which goes over the penis, seals at the base of the penis and acts as a low pressure pump to pull blood into the penis. USAmediquip also supplies stretching exercises to keep tissue flexible and to help avoid fibrosis, which can cause shortening of the penis. The University of Michigan Hospital gives a Prelude to every PCa surgery patient. |
The Prelude |
Another major invention is a Foam Penile Sleeve which is used with the pump. A poor seal at the base of the penis and excess tissue and testicles getting pulled up into the VED are the biggest complaints men have with VED therapy. This sleeve takes care of all those complaints. The sleeve comes in three different lengths for comfort. |
The lubricated penis goes through the sleeve and the flat part lies against the body. The pump forms an airtight seal against this flange base. No body parts get pulled into the VED. The constriction ring snaps off the VED cylinder and around the sleeve - not directly on the penis. This makes the whole event far more comfortable and just as effective. The sleeve also acts as a splint to help hold the penis in a natural position. Most men complain of a "hinge" effect behind the constriction ring. This makes many couple's favorite Missionary Position very challenging. The Foam Sleeve helps solve this problem. If you're going to try vacuum therapy, make sure this is in your tool box. |
Let's face it, VED's are all based on the same system. But the key to success is finding one that fits your abilities (manual dexterity, comfort with the whole process) as well as your anatomy. The constriction rings are all different. Finding the right size and the right fit is key. Don't listen to the sales pitch - all constriction rings are entirely interchangeable among brands. |
Third - allow enough time. Unless you are a real pro, pumping must be done in stages. Pump it up a little bit - let it quietly pull the blood into the penis for a few seconds, then release the pressure and let the blood flow out. Resume pumping. You will be surprised at how quickly the penis fills this time. Do this at least three times when you are a novice at pumping. |
Prepare the VED according to the manufactures instructions. Put the constriction ring on the VED and lube your penis. This is best done on a bathroom counter. |
Fourth - When your penis has reached full erection (Nice thing about the pump, is that your penis can be way past its normal erection size!), slide the constriction ring off the pump and onto your penis. As the seal breaks, you may lose some size. The answer to this is replace the VED onto the penis (you may have to fold the constriction band 'wings' into the cylinder) and give a few more pumps to get it back to your desired size and firmness. Release the pump and you are ready to go. |
Knock yourself out! As mentioned, the Missionary Position is probably not going to work. Doggie style works best. Many couples also find if the partner slides over to the edge of the bed, the man can remaing standing. Intercourse can't last more than 20-30 mins. The constriction ring MUST be removed by 30 minutes or you can really damage your favorite appendage. Pull the two wings out and open up the constriction ring. Slide it off. Or, if you prefer, there are single use rings which rip off. Some guys take a break for an hour and pump up for sex again. The constriction ring usually prevents ejaculation. But, when you take off the ring, be prepared for some fluid to come gushing out - usually semen, or even urine if you are a PCa guy. |
Getting Down to Business |
The Fine Print... |
Drawbacks to using a VED: |
Video of guy pumping (coming soon) |
Pinpoint-sized red dots caused by bleeding under the surface of the skin of the penis. |
Like everything in life, there are a few caveats...or things that you should just know. Although penis pumps are safe for most men, there are some potential risks: |
Numbness, coldness or bluish-colored skin when the constriction band is in place |
If you take blood-thinning medications (Coumadin or aspirin for example), you could injure yourself and cause bleeding. |
Lack of firmness behind the constriction ring at the base of the penis, which can cause a hinge effect. (The foam penile sleeve can help with this.) |
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. |
Pain or bruising of the penis |
The probability is that the vast majority of guys reading this are dealing with neither of these issues. So, with that out of the way, there are just a few side effects that you need to keep in mind. None of them are deal breakers, but take it easy and you'll avoid them. |
Unnatural feeling erection. Penis pumps can cause an erection that doesn't feel natural or spontaneous for some guys. |
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 if they have arthritis. (USAmediquip makes a constriction ring releaser which helps with this immensely.) |
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. Obviously, PCa guys have no issue with this. |
Foam Penile Sleeve |
You're all set! |
Now comes the hard part. Choosing a VED. Most VED companies have a great system where you give them your doctor's info and they take care of all the insurance work. Most insurance companies and Medi-care pay for VED's. There is a multitude of models and makers. Once you choose yours, practice, practice, practice. Start off alone so you can experiment. The first attempt at sex should be done with a good sense of humor. You will get good at it and in no time, you will be able to produce flawless erections for hours of fun. If things still don't work, ask for help and advice. |
Very highly effective. With proper use, it is nearly 100% effective at producing a usable erection! (Proper training required!) |
It's all natural. No chemicals, no drugs, no hormones, no animal by-products and it's even Vegan approved! |
Combination Therapy |
No drug interactions. If you are on blood pressure medicine or Nitrates for heart health there are no drug interactions as there are with oral meds. |
Therapy and Rehab Use of Pump |
Benefits following surgery. Using a penis pump may help you regain sexual function after radical prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Using a penis pump may maintain the length and girth of your penis after surgery. |
After prostate surgery, many men will be instructed to use the pump for penile rehab. This is because the area of the prostate is jam packed with blood vessels. In fact, for open surgery, men usually donate a few pints of their own blood to be used during surgery since it is expected that there will be considerable blood loss. After surgery, the blood flow to the penis has been seriously compromised. The body needs a few months to rebuild the supply. In those few months, the penis can be starved for blood and the smooth muscle tissue that causes erections can atrophy and develop fibrosis. This results in not only poorer erections, but also an atrophied penis. |
A penis pump can be used with other treatments. You can use a penis pump along with Oral Meds, Trimix Gel, or a penile implant. |
Using the pump twice a day for 10-15 minutes will go a long way to preventing atrophy and fibrosis. In this use, no rings are used. In fact, the best pumps to use are from the sex shop. These pumps usually have some sort of cuff (often in highly suggestive shapes!) which seals around the bottom of the penis. This makes it easy and quick to use. You will still need a bit of lube on the penis, but it can be done quickly and does not even require taking your pants off. There was even one guy who had a private office and locked the door for 15 minutes every afternoon! Some guys use a ring and will pump after their shower and put on a ring while they shave. |
Penis pumps are noninvasive. Penis pumps don't require surgery, injections or inserting medication into the tip of your penis. |
It is virtually a hands free operation. The pumps are very light weight and are not uncomfortable hanging from your penis. Wash your hair, pump a bit more. As you wash other parts of your body, pause to either pump more, or deflate and pump back up. All told it will only add 2-3 minutes to your shower. Remove as you finish showering, rinse off, and as you get out of the shower take a look in the mirror. It will be really nice to see your best friend again - just as you remember him! |
Cost. After the initial purchase, using a penis pump costs less than any other type of erectile dysfunction treatment. |
In addition to helping tissue rehab, this will also help bring back normal erections. There are many psychological benefits from this as well. You can begin to visualize yourself as a sexual person again instead of a cancer patient or some science experiment. Seeing your penis at its normal size (or in some cases even bigger) is a huge boost to morale. |
Re-hab video coming soon |
The FrankTalk.Org web site strives to advance patient education about Erectile Dysfunction. The materials provided at this site are for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you've read on the FrankTalk.Org web site. We insist that readers discuss the information contained herein with their professional health care provider. We will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising there-from. FrankTalk.Org is NOT a medical website. |
VED's are often a huge benefit when used along with other ED treatments. With oral drugs, using a pump - even without the ring - can help get your penis to its fullest. The old adage, "Nothing breeds success like success" is also true in ED. "Nothing helps an erection like an erection." As the Cavernosa fill and engorge the penis, they also crowd and crimp the veins draining the penis and partially close them off - thus increasing the engorgement, and squeezing the veins and so goes the happy cycle. Oral meds are often helped if the veins can be partially closed by the engorged cavernosa; it sort of boosts the process. |
Osbon Ring |
With injections, getting the drug to stay in the cavernosa long enough to be effective can be a challenge. To help with this: Partially pump the penis, put on a ring and then inject. The medicine stays right where it needs to stay and the results can be much better. A slightly enlarged penis can is also an easier target for the needle. Picture the cavernosa as two of those long skinny balloons. If they are deflated and kind of flat, it can be pretty hard to hit the middle of one. If these balloons are inflated slightly, it suddenly becomes much easier to hit the middle of one of those cavernosa. Once fully erect, remove the ring. |
With regular use, the penis responds more quickly to the pump. Daily pumping, even without the ring, will keep the penis responding quickly. |
One contriction ring that consistently gets praise for comfort, function and exellent handling ability is the Osbon Ring. One look and you can see the difference. There is a cut-away around the urethra so that ejaculation can occur. At the top of the ring are two projections that press into the dorsal veins. The large side loops provide easy removal - even with wet fingers. |
Vacuum Erectile Devices (VED's) |
As with anything in life; practice makes perfect. Some men get so good at it, that they are able to get a usable erection in a matter of 3-4 minutes. |
Another great time for therapy is in the morning shower. The sex shop pumps can easily get wet. As you get into the shower, lather up your penis, pump it up and then once it forms a tight seal, let go. It can just hang there. |
