Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Using a penis pump to get an erection after prostate cancer treatment
A penis pump can help you get your sex life back on track after prostate cancer treatment. Read on to find out how they work, what to watch out for, and how to choose one.
What is a penis pump?
Penis pumps help you get and keep an erection. A penis pump is a plastic tube with a small pump at one end and a rubber ring or band at the other end. It is also called a vacuum erection device, vacuum constriction device or vacuum pump. The rubber ring or band helps to keep the erection during sex. Other names for the ring or band are tension or constriction ring, or a cock ring.
Penis pumps can be used daily and come with instructions for use. It may take a while to learn how to use them properly, but you’ll get the hang of it.
How exactly does a penis pump work?
Penis pumps work by creating a vacuum around your penis which pulls blood into the penis making it hard and erect.
The plastic tube goes over the whole length of your penis. When it’s time for action, the pump takes air out of the tube and creates a vacuum. Once your penis is hard and erect, the rubber ring or band stops blood from leaving the penis. Your penis should stay hard enough to have sex.
The ring or band is removed immediately after sex and your penis will return to its usual size.
Important: The ring or band should not be worn for more than 30 minutes at a time. Stopping the blood flow for too long can injure the penis.
Do penis pumps work after prostate cancer surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy?
Penis pumps help most men produce an erection but they may not be suitable for everyone. They are safe to use after different kinds of prostate cancer treatment. Penis pumps also help prevent penis shrinkage when used as part of penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer surgery. There is no medicine in a penis pump, and it can be more convenient than using erection pills.
Benefits of using penis pumps
There are good reasons for using a penis pump to get an erection:
Most men can get enough of an erection to have penetrative sex.
There are no ongoing costs once you’ve bought the pump, except for some lubricant if you need it.
There is a low risk of side effects or complications.
Pumps are not invasive like penile injections or penile implant surgery.
You can use penis pumps with medications or a penile implant if needed.
Using a pump might help with getting back natural erections after prostate cancer treatment.
What are some possible problems with penis pumps?
Penis pumps are generally safer than other treatments for getting erections. But they can still have some unwanted effects. Here are some things to be aware of when using a pump:
Your penis may have a change in color while the penis ring is in place. It could look darker or bluish. Taking the ring off should bring back the normal color.
Your penis may feel cold while the ring is in place. This is because the ring does not allow blood to enter or leave the penis.
Tiny red spots may appear under the skin. This could be due to too much pressure with the pump or the penis ring fitting too tightly.
There may be pain or bruising along the length of your penis.
There is a higher chance of your penis slipping out during certain sexual positions. After using a pump, your erections point down rather than forward or upward. You might need to change the way you have sex so your penis does not slip out.
Penis pumps are safe for most people. But certain medicines and conditions can cause problems. There can be a higher chance of bleeding problems if you are also taking medicines like:
Warfarin (also known by brand names like Jantoven®, Coumadin®, or Marevan®).
Aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. These belong to a group of pain medicines known as “non-steroidal anti-inflammatories” (also called “NSAIDs”).
Certain blood conditions can increase the chance of bleeding or getting blood clots. One example is sickle cell anemia.
Tell your doctor about any medicines you take, including herbal supplements. Make sure they know all your current health conditions and any other erection treatments you have tried.
The importance of using a medical grade penis pump
Make sure you use a medical grade penis pump. "Medical grade" means a health regulatory agency tested and approved the penis pump. For example, you don’t want to use the same kind of penis pump that comes from a sex shop.
Using a penis pump to get an erection: tips for success
All penis pumps come with instructions for using them. Follow the instructions that came with your pump. There may be small differences when using different pumps.
How to use a penis pump
Here are some general tips for using the penis pump.
Shave the hair near the base of your penis to stop it getting caught in the tube.
Apply a small amount of a water-soluble, personal lubricant on your penis and the open end of the tube to help your penis to slide inside more smoothly.
Make sure the tube covers the whole penis.
Use the pump just enough to get an erection. Too much pressure may injure the penis.
Once you have an erection, slide the ring or band onto the base of your penis. Remove the tube.
After sex, remove the ring to bring your penis back to normal. Apply lubricant to help the ring slide off easily. Don’t keep the ring on for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Tips for having sex after using a penis pump
When you use a pump to get an erection, it doesn’t mean your entire penis will be hard. Your penis will only be hard beyond the penis ring. The part of the penis that’s inside the body doesn’t stay filled with blood. This difference can cause your penis to rotate and, along with your erections pointing downward, there is a greater risk of your penis falling out in certain sexual positions.
Have your partner in the top position during sex.
Plan your sexual activity so the penis ring doesn’t stay on for longer than 30 min. Blood cannot enter or exit the penis during this time.
Be prepared for your penis to become cool to the touch. This is because blood does not keep flowing into the penis when the ring is on.
So, what can you do to prepare for sex?
Things to consider before getting a penis pump
Talk to your doctor. You can get a pump without a prescription. But it is better to talk to your doctor first to get a pump that is safe and suits your needs. They might suggest or prescribe a certain type. If your doctor prescribes a medical grade penis pump, your health insurance may be able to cover some or all of the cost.
Make sure your pump has a pressure gauge or vacuum limiter. As mentioned earlier, too much pressure could injure your penis. A pressure gauge will allow you to track the amount of pressure being applied to your penis. A vacuum limiter will stop you over-pumping.
Get a pump that is approved for use. This is to make sure you buy a safe and effective pump. The following health regulatory agencies give approval:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States
Health Canada in Canada
The Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) in Australia
The European Medicines Authority (EMA) in the UK and Ireland
MedSafe in New Zealand
Regulatory agencies that approve penis pumps
