Penis Pumps + Other Strategies for ED and Pleasure
If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you know has been having trouble getting it up, so let’s start things off by saying what you’re going through is a very common thing that happens to more people than you would expect.
The penis is a powerhouse of pleasure and can play a starring role in our sex lives. So it’s no wonder those who have a penis have a sense of pride when it gets up and gets us off. As someone who has a penis, I can testify that I am filled with joy when it can give me and my partners an amazing orgasm. So, for many of us, when our penis doesn’t do what we want it to do, we may feel a sense of shame or as if our body has betrayed us.
What, then, do we do when our erections become but a fleeting memory, a ship passing through the night? Let’s explore erectile dysfunction–also known as “not getting an erection when you want to”--and what you can do about it.
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is when you are unable to achieve and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual penetration. Mayo Clinic urologist Dr. Matthew Ziegelmann says, “Experiencing difficulty with erections from time to time is usually no cause for concern. But ongoing issues can cause stress, it can affect self-confidence, and it can contribute to relationship problems. Sometimes it may indicate an underlying condition.”
If you or someone you know is concerned about erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor. They can perform tests or review your medical history to give you an accurate diagnosis.
Erectile dysfunction has several categories:
● Vascular: caused by blood vessels sending insufficient blood to the tissues in the penis.
● Neurogenic: caused by nerve problems that prevent signals from traveling from the brain to the penis. Some causes include stroke, trauma, pelvic surgery, or multiple sclerosis.
● Hormonal: caused by a testosterone deficiency or a thyroid problem.
● Psychogenic: caused by psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
● Latrogenic: caused by a medical procedure or treatment. While doctors try their best to treat you, some things can go awry with unfavorable side effects such as erectile dysfunction.
Who can get erectile dysfunction?
According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study which surveyed 1,709 men aged 40–70 years between 1987 and 1989, 52% of men experience some form of erectile dysfunction. (It can affect those who are younger too.) The National Institute of Health lists several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of erectile dysfunction such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, renal failure, high cholesterol, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, substance abuse, and smoking.
While these numbers make it sound like erectile dysfunction is an epidemic, it may bring you some comfort to know that you are not alone, and there are ways to get your erection stronger and better than ever.
Are there any treatments or remedies for erectile dysfunction?
A common treatment that you’ve probably heard of comes in the form of a little pill. Medications that are recommended and prescribed by a doctor can help certain patients by increasing the blood flow to your penis. A common misconception about pills is that they increase your libido when, in reality, medications may work only if you get aroused in the first place. So if you’re having a mental block when getting turned on, you may not see its effects. (Please note: Babeland does not recommend taking any erectile function medications unless prescribed to you personally by a medical professional.)
One way to help with ED is to make significant lifestyle changes in your physical and mental health. Working out (even just walking regularly) and changing your diet (in particular, consuming less fatty food and alcohol) can do wonders for your overall health as well as your sexual health.
Seeing a therapist to overcome your mental obstacles can help you get out of that anxious headspace when it comes time to perform. However, changes like this can be more easily said than done. Discipline and consistency are key, but it may prove to be a challenge for some.
Rarely, people with erectile dysfunction can be treated with surgery. Doctors can repair the blood vessels in your penis to help boost blood flow to the surrounding tissue. More commonly, an implant is inserted in the penis and allows for erections on demand just by pumping. Each procedure may have certain risks; vascular reconstruction in particular may be a last resort when other forms of erectile dysfunction treatment have failed.
Using sex toys for erectile dysfunction
Another option for aiding in erections, and my favorite option, is using sex toys! There are lots of great options for penis owners, such as a penis pump, cock ring, or penis extension. Not only can these help with sexual performance, but simply having these toys can just be so much fun, and you can use them with your partner!
What is a penis pump, and how do you use it?
The penis pump can go by other names, such as a vacuum constriction device or a vacuum erection device. Whatever name it goes by, they all share the same goal of helping you get hard and stay hard. A pump may help with erections after prostate surgery, and the effects of using a pump may increase your sexual confidence and stamina.
Instructions may differ depending on the type of pump you use. However, pumps generally have similar usage guidelines and precautions.
- Prep your pubes. Pubic hair may deter the pump from creating an airtight seal around your penis, so consider shaving or trimming to prevent unwanted hair from getting caught in the device. This will also ensure that the pump has enough contact with the skin to prevent air escaping.
- Use lubrication. Apply lube on the head and shaft of the penis as well as the base of the pump. For air pumps, lube helps create the vacuum seal needed for the pump to work. It also helps slide the pump on and off if the pump cylinder is a close fit. Lube can also make a more pleasurable experience for pumping and masturbating.
- Insert penis. While flaccid, insert the penis into the pump. Note that it should be only the penis and not the balls. The goal is to get blood flowing to the spongy erectile tissue located along the shaft, so keep the balls out of the pump. Make sure the base of the pump fits snugly against your body.
- Begin pumping. Whether your pump uses water or air, make sure to pump slowly. Pump just enough that you achieve the minimum amount of pressure needed to achieve an erection. Keep it on for two to three minutes.
* If you feel pain anywhere on your penis or pubic area, you have overpumped, so you must release it immediately. - Release the pump. After pumping until erect, release the pump and remove it from the penis. If this causes your erection to go down, massage your penis in its flaccid state for another two minutes. Reapply the lube and repump again to repeat the cycle two more times.
Penis pumps are a great addition to your sexual fitness routine, but just like how muscles need time to recover, so does your penis. Don’t pump more than 15 - 30 minutes in 24 hours to prevent injury or damage to the penis.
Remember that care and consistency are key if you want to see results.
Pair your pump with a cock ring
As an option to help keep yourself erect, try using a cock ring. If you are using a pump because you want to have penetrative sex, remove the pump and put on a cock ring when you’ve become erect (lube can help slide it on easier).
Wear your cock ring while your penis is still erect after pumping to keep all the newly pumped blood in the erectile tissue. The cock ring goes on the base of the penis, or wear the ring around both shaft and balls.
Styles of penis pump
If you decide to go shopping for a pump and get confused with the number of different choices and styles, don’t worry. I’m going to break down what each type does so you can see which one is right for you.
● Bulb: The bulb pump is a classic design and stands the test of time. The bulb is connected to the pump cylinder via a tube. Squeeze the bulb and feel the pressure slowly start to increase in the pump as the air gets sucked out and gently pulls on the penis. You can see it slowly start to get longer and thicker from the blood rushing to the penile tissue.
● Grip: The grip model is similar to the trigger. Squeeze two handles together to draw the air out of the pump. Most grip models come with an added pressure gauge so you can accurately see how much pressure is in the pump.
● Water: A water pump is similar to a bulb pump but uses water as a vacuum seal instead of air. The pump is filled with water and you insert your penis at the base. To create the seal, pump the toy towards your pelvis and the excess water comes out from the tip. As the water gets pushed out, your penis will stretch from the pressure created in the pump.
● Automatic: Pumps that come with controls and an LED screen can be great for measuring all aspects of your pump exercise. Automatic pumps can increase and decrease the pressure with a touch of a button and they tell you how much time has passed. Some automatic models can vibrate for added fun. Automatic models also have presets that you can program to get the most accurate results out of your exercise.
Playing without an erection
We want to take a moment to recognize that not having an erection doesn’t mean you have to miss out on any of the fun. Sexologist Carol Queen, PhD, has this to say about playing without an erection: “With or without an erection, the neurology of the penis still supports you in feeling pleasure.
The idea that you must have a hard-on for sexual play boils down to the incorrect idea that only penile penetration equals sex - that’s just not so! In particular, a soft or not-fully-erect penis is great for certain kinds of toy play, and some partners love how sensual it is to do oral sex or a not-fully-firm erection. Explore and enjoy!”
Safety tips
As with any exercise, never do more than your body can handle. When using a penis pump for the first time, start with light pressure and don’t go too long. Ten to fifteen minutes per day is a great starting point to give your body time to adjust to a new sensation and recover afterward without putting too much strain on your penis. While this is a general rule, always read the instructions and adjust accordingly.
If your ED is a result of a health issue, discuss with your doctor to make sure pumping will be safe and effective for you. Clean your toys before and after use to avoid infection. If possible, store your toy in the package it comes in and keep it in a cool and dry place.
Take care of your body - and yourself!
Erectile dysfunction is not the end of the world. While it can be nerve-wracking when something we are so intimately attached to isn’t working the way we expect it to, there is always help. And remember that the penis can feel pleasure even when it isn’t erect!
Whether you’re on medication, post-surgery, using a pump, or an extension, your sex life does not have to end. Your body is going through changes and will continue to change, so always remember to take care of it. The better our bodies are, the better our sex life!
