What You Should Know Before Using the Vacuum Pump
Treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) is tiered, from the easiest and least invasive to the most complex and most invasive. The penis pump or vacuum pump is one of the best devices to treat this condition and increase your penis size.
How it Works
The vacuum pump
consists of a clear plastic cylinder with an opening at one end where the penis is inserted. The cylinder and pump are used to create a vacuum that draws blood into the penis, causing an erection. The first step is to place a rubber constrictive ring over the open end of the cylinder.
A lubricant is then applied to the skin around the base of the penis before resting the device. This makes the union of the cylinder with the skin sealed so that the air does not escape and the negative pressure is maintained. Now the penis is inserted into the cylinder, it is pressed firmly against the pubic bone and where the lubricant has been put, and the pump (manual or electric) is activated.
When the erection is sufficiently rigid, the constrictive ring slides towards the root of the penis so that the blood stays and the erection is maintained. Usually, the pump is accompanied by several rings of different sizes and tension, which must be tested until you find the best. Finally, the vacuum is deactivated, and the pump is removed.
During the entire time that the sexual act lasts, the ring must remain at the base of the penis, but not for more than 30 minutes. It is essential to understand that exceeding this limit could damage the penis.
Who Can and Cannot Use a Vacuum Pump?
Penis pumps are safe and can be used by patients with erectile dysfunction for any cause, including vascular, neurological, surgery for prostate, bladder, or colon cancer, or even for mental reasons such as anxiety or depression (combined with psychotherapy). In these cases, the vacuum pump is considered a second-line treatment after failure of lifestyle changes, psychological therapy, or oral drugs.
But in men who have
undergone surgery for prostate, bladder, or rectal cancer, it is a first-line treatment for penile rehabilitation alone or in combination with oral medication. In this case, the constrictive ring should not be used. It is recommended to start one month after surgery and use the device at least once a day for 5 minutes (it can be used up to 4-5 times a day). This helps bring blood flow to the penis, prevent fibrosis of the corpora cavernosa, and avoid shortening of the penis. Penile rehabilitation may be necessary between 6 and 12 months. The vacuum pump can also be challenging to use on obese men due to pubic fat. You can consult first before using it.