11 Penis Pump FAQs: How It Works, Lasting Results, Potential Risks

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Key Takeaways

Penis pumps can help achieve and maintain erections by drawing blood into the penis, making them a noninvasive option for managing erectile dysfunction.
For safety, it’s important to follow product instructions carefully and limit cock ring use to a maximum of 30 minutes to avoid potential penis injuries or complications.
While penis pumps offer a temporary solution for erections, they do not permanently increase penis size.

Penis pumps use a vacuum to draw blood into the penis. They’re a common noninvasive treatment option for people living with erectile dysfunction (ED) because they may help you achieve or maintain an erection.

This article discusses the efficacy of penis pumps and the science behind their use.

Do penis pumps work?

Penis pumps can help people to achieve and maintain erections.

Research suggests they may help people living with ED achieve an erection in up to 90% of cases. Other research highlights that for people with ED and their partners, up to 77% are happy with the outcomes of penis pump use.

If you have ED, penis pumps are generally less expensive and safer than other options when used correctly. You can also use them alongside ED medication, like sildenafil (Viagra).

Small studies also show that, in combination with medications, penis pumps can help to preserve penis function and reduce shrinkage following prostate cancer surgery.

How do penis pumps work?

A penis pump works by using suction to draw blood into the penis.

The blood fills the blood vessels in your penis, causing them to swell so your penis gets — temporarily — bigger and harder.

A constriction ring — better known as a cock ring — is usually placed around the base of the penis to help keep the blood in the penis and maintain the erection.

Are penis pumps safe?

Penis pumps, or VEDs, are generally safe, but they may not be right for people with certain medical conditions.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), using a penis pump or other external rigidity device could aggravate penile conditions, such as priapism.

Too much air pressure in the cylinder can also cause mild bleeding under the skin’s surface. For this reason, penis pumps may not be right for you if you:

have a blood disorder
have a history of blood clots
take blood thinner medications

A cock ring that’s too tight or left on too long could cause your penis to become bruised, numb, and cold.

How long will its effects last?

The duration of an erection can vary when using penis pumps. Many product manufacturers suggest that around 30 minutes is a typical outcome. Factors like your arousal level and overall health status can also influence how long the effects last.

For those with ED, penis pumps alone are unlikely to result in a full erection. In this instance, the use of a constriction device is necessary.

Cock rings can help to extend erection times. However, it’s unsafe to use them for more than 30 minutes. Extended use of constrictive devices on the penis can lead to swelling and potentially severe injury.

How often can you use it?

There’s no set limit to daily penis pump uses. Experience, comfort, and necessity will often dictate usage. Most people can use it safely multiple times a day if needed, as long as they use it correctly.

If a penis pump is causing pain or discomfort, it’s best to stop using it immediately. If pain persists, seek medical assistance.

Other options to increase penis size and improve function

Maintaining a balanced lifestyle can go a long way when it comes to improving penile function and getting stronger erections. This may include:

managing stress and anxiety
exercising regularly
getting enough high quality sleep
limiting alcohol, cigarette smoking, and illegal drugs
managing health conditions like diabetes, vascular diseases, and kidney disease, among others

Certain medications can also affect your sex drive and cause erection problems, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications. Speak with a doctor if you think your medication may be the issue.

There’s no reliably safe way to increase your penis size without surgery. However, it’s important to remember that penis size doesn’t matter in terms of function.

If you feel anxious about the size of your penis, consider speaking with a therapist. They may help you identify, understand, and develop coping strategies to work through feelings of anxiety.

»Learn more:Does penis size actually matter?

How do you use a penis pump?

Some VEDs may have more features than others, but the basic function is the same:

Place the tube over your penis.
Pump out the air, using the hand pump or electric pump attached to the tube, creating a vacuum effect.
Once you’re erect, remove the pump.
You can place a constriction ring around the base of your penis to help you maintain your erection.

It’s important to carefully follow the instructions on the packaging label to minimize your risk of injury.

Frequently asked questions

Do pumps actually increase girth or size?

Penis pumps can increase blood flow to the penis to help you get or maintain an erection. But they don’t permanently increase the girth or length of your penis.

How long does it take for a penis pump to work?

How long it takes for a penis pump to achieve an erection can vary. Your erection from a penis pump can typically last for about 30 minutes but may depend on other factors.

Is a penis pump better than Viagra?

Some research suggests that a penis pump may be slightly more effective than Viagra, and that participants reported higher satisfaction rates when using penis pumps.That said, you can use penis pumps with ED medication like Viagra, which may be more effective than either treatment alone.

Some research suggests that a penis pump may be slightly more effective than Viagra, and that participants reported higher satisfaction rates when using penis pumps.

That said, you can use penis pumps with ED medication like Viagra, which may be more effective than either treatment alone.

The bottom line

Penis pumps can effectively help you reach and maintain an erection if you’re living with ED. However, they’re not a penis enlargement device and any change in penis size will be temporary.

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Burnett, AL. (2018). Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004
Dawood, O, et al. (2019). Penile ring entrapment – A true urologic emergency: Grading, approach, and management.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6978966/
External penile rigidity devices - Class II special controls guidance document for industry and FDA staff. (2018).https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/external-penile-rigidity-devices-class-ii-special-controls-guidance-document-industry-and-fda-staff
Feng D, et al. (2021). Generating comprehensive comparative evidence on various interventions for penile rehabilitation in patients with erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7844489/
Lee, M, et al. (2018). Non-invasive management options for erectile dysfunction when a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor fails.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40266-018-0528-4
Sultana A, et al. (2021). Indications and characteristics of penile traction and vacuum erection devices.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34764451/
Symptoms and causes of erectile dysfunction. (2024).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes
Zhang, M, et al. (2021). A prospective randomized controlled study on scheduled PDE5i and vacuum erectile devices in the treatment of erectile dysfunction after nerve sparing prostatectomy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9491044/

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Medically reviewed by Darragh O'Carroll, MD — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on May 1, 2025

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Key Takeaways

Do penis pumps work?

How do penis pumps work?

Are penis pumps safe?

How long will its effects last?

How often can you use it?

Other options to increase penis size and improve function

How do you use a penis pump?

Frequently asked questions

Do pumps actually increase girth or size?

How long does it take for a penis pump to work?

Is a penis pump better than Viagra?

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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