Editorial
Written byMen's Health Istanbul Editorial Team
Medical reviewer (awaiting sign-off)Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuncay Taş
Published
Updated
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The short answer
Yes, vacuum erection devices are still useful for some men. A clear cylinder is placed over the penis and a pump removes the air, drawing blood into the penis. A tight ring is then slipped onto the base to hold the erection. They involve no medicine or surgery, so they can suit men who cannot take or do not respond to tablets. Drawbacks include a cold or bluish feel, bruising, numbness and blocked ejaculation, and the ring must not be left on too long. International guidelines still list them as a recognised treatment option.
Key takeaways
- A vacuum device draws blood into the penis; a ring at the base keeps it there.
- It needs no medicine or surgery, which suits some men who cannot take or do not respond to tablets.
- Common downsides are bruising, a cold feel, numbness and trapped ejaculation.
- Medical devices with a pressure limiter are different from novelty pumps sold for enlargement.
How does a vacuum erection device work?
A vacuum erection device (VED) has three parts: a clear plastic cylinder, a pump that is worked by hand or battery, and a stretchy constriction ring. The cylinder goes over the penis and is pressed against the body to make a seal. Pumping removes air from the cylinder, and the lower pressure draws blood into the penis until it becomes firm.
The ring, which sits on the open end of the cylinder, is then slid onto the base of the penis. It slows blood draining away, so the erection lasts once the cylinder is removed.
Are vacuum devices still recommended?
Yes. Both the European Association of Urology and the American Urological Association include vacuum devices among the recognised treatments for erectile dysfunction. They are not usually the first thing men try, but they remain a genuine option rather than a relic.
They can suit men who:
- cannot take tablets such as sildenafil or tadalafil, for example because they use nitrate medicines for the heart;
- have not responded well enough to tablets;
- prefer to avoid medicines, injections or surgery;
- are in an established relationship where a little preparation time is not a problem.
Some doctors also suggest them after prostate surgery, as part of efforts to support erectile recovery, although the evidence for this use is still debated. Our article on sex after prostate surgery looks at that recovery period.
What are the downsides of a vacuum pump?
- It is not spontaneous. It takes a few minutes and some practice.
- The erection feels different. The penis may be cooler, slightly bluish and can pivot at the base, because the part behind the ring is not firm.
- Bruising and numbness. Small red spots or bruises are common, especially at first.
- Blocked ejaculation. The ring can trap semen, so orgasm may happen with little or no fluid.
- Time limit. The ring must be removed within the time stated in the device instructions. Leaving it on too long can damage the tissue.
Men who take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder should talk to their doctor first.
Is a medical vacuum device the same as a penis pump from a sex shop?
Not quite. Medical devices usually have a pressure limiter that stops the vacuum becoming strong enough to cause injury, and come with rings in different sizes and clear instructions. Novelty pumps marketed for enlargement may lack these features. No vacuum device makes the penis permanently bigger.
What to take away
Vacuum devices are old technology, but "old" is not the same as "obsolete". For the right man, they offer a drug-free, non-surgical way to have sex. A doctor can help decide whether one fits, alongside the other options in our erectile dysfunction guide.
Questions men also ask
Can a vacuum pump make the penis bigger?
No. It creates a temporary erection by drawing blood in; it does not permanently increase length or girth. Overusing high pressure in pursuit of size can cause injury.
Can I use a vacuum device if I take blood thinners?
Men who take anticoagulants or have a bleeding disorder may bruise more easily, so they should check with their doctor before using one.
Sources & further reading
- European Urology European Association of Urology Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health—2021 Update: Male Sexual Dysfunction (opens in a new tab) (2021) Salonia A, et al.
- Journal of Urology Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline (opens in a new tab) (2018) Burnett AL, et al.
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This article is general health information. It does not replace an individual medical consultation, examination or diagnosis. Read our editorial policy and medical review policy.
