You might be surprised to know that penis pumps are an extremely widely used device and are by no means a niche product for men anymore. The more people understand what exactly these devices are capable of, the greater their popularity.
Penis pumps can be used for a variety of purposes. Some men use them to temporarily increase erections, others use them for potential long-term size gains, and still others use them to treat erectile dysfunction and help them maintain healthy erections during masturbation or sex.
With all that said, here is a guide on how to safely use a penis pump.
How does a penis pump work?
A penis pump is simply a cylinder that is placed over the penis and uses a pump to create suction within the cylinder. When you pump air or water, depending on the pump, it leaves the pump and your penis expands into the area created by the negative pressure.
This draws blood into the shaft of the penis and creates a strong erection as there is more blood inside the blood vessels than usual. Once you release the pressure, your penis will gradually return to its normal size, but with the use of a post-pump erection ring, many men find that they can maintain an erection for the entire session of play.
With prolonged use, some men also find that their size is constantly increasing.
Unlike most medications, penis pumps are affordable, easy to use, don't require a prescription, and far less dangerous than more invasive treatments.
This does not mean that the use of a penis pump is not associated with risks. They can cause pain, swelling, discoloration, and long-term damage to the tissues of the penis, but if you know how to use your pump correctly, you can easily avoid these problems.
It all comes down to knowing how to use your pump safely, because once you do, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Rule #1 on how to safely use a penis pump: follow the instructions!
There are literally thousands of different penis pumps, and while they will work basically the same, there will be slight differences from pump to pump.
The best way to stay safe and avoid injury while pumping is to follow these instructions down to the last detail.
Looking for a pump with a pressure gauge
Even if you follow the instructions, it's easy to go overboard with leveling, especially if you're new to leveling. I recommend looking for a penis pump with a pressure gauge or vacuum limiter.
The manometer will show you the pressure during pumping so you can keep track of how much you are applying to your penis.
A vacuum restrictor, on the other hand, will prevent pumping by limiting the amount of pressure in the cylinder for you.
Use a comfortable penis pad or pump sleeve
A comfort cushion or penis pump sleeve will add cushioning to the part of the pump that connects to your skin. Penis pumps are tricky!
They are made of hard materials, and unless you have something soft between the skin and the cylinder, they will be quite uncomfortable to use. Too much firmness in relation to your sensitive skin can also lead to bruising, making it uncomfortable the next time you express.
The penis sleeve will also help create a strong seal between the pump and the skin. You need the seal to be tight so you can create enough suction inside the cylinder. A sleeve or pad can also help keep the scrotum on the outside of the pump, which is exactly where you want it to be. A pump cylinder that is too large may leave room for the balls to be sucked up, but a sleeve or pad may prevent this.
Care
Another way to keep the seal tight is to cut your pubic hair as short as possible. Ideally, you can even completely shave the area off with wax or shave it. But if you just trim it, it will help keep it beautiful and durable.
If you find yourself following the instructions and not being able to make a strong enough print, this may be the cause.
Lube is your friend
Apply a small amount of water-based lubricant around the pad or sleeve to create an effective seal between the skin and the pump. Try not to over-lubricate as this can cause too much slipperiness. Apply a small amount first and see how you get on.
Find the right size cylinder for your body
Selecting the correct size pump is extremely important to avoid injury. A pump that is too small will not provide enough pressure to change the size of the erection. On the other hand, a pump that is too large will exert too much pressure, as there is a higher risk of pumping. If the pump is too large in width, this may also mean that you cannot create a seal and will not give any result.
Look carefully at the product description and take out the tape measure.
You need to measure your penis relaxed and erect in order to best determine your pump size.
The result is a cylinder that fits comfortably while still leaving enough room to grow. And keep in mind that in reality you will increase your size by a few inches at most. So don't leave too much room for growth.
Don't overdo pumping
This is especially important for beginners as it will be a whole new type of sensation for your penis so you need to take it slow.
When you're first starting out, do 2-3 pumping sessions a week and don't pump for more than 15 minutes at a time. Once you feel more comfortable with the process and suction, you can increase your training frequency and train more frequently.
It is important that your sessions do not exceed 15 minutes, and if you want to study longer, take a break every 10-15 minutes. Release the pressure, stretch and massage the penis to re-circulate the blood to make pumping easier.
Also, make sure you let your penis stop growing between each pump. If you see that your penis is still expanding, don't pump again until it stops. Pumping too long non-stop or pumping too often is the biggest risk when it comes to penis pumping. This can cause temporary injuries such as blisters, skin discoloration, and penile numbness.
In fact, these are all fairly common among those new to penis pumping, and although they are temporary, they can be intimidating. If any of this does happen, you will need to stop pumping and take a break until you are fully recovered.
Rupture of blood vessels is another risk of pumping. If this happens, it will cause instant pain, bruising, and swelling, and may also affect your ability to have an erection for weeks or months. Another fairly common injury caused by over-inflation is the "donut effect" and I'm sure you can guess what it might look like from the name.
When you pump, you draw blood into the penis, but you also draw lymph fluid. This is something that happens naturally in the body, but when too much of it is drawn into the glans penis, it can cause swelling that creates a doughnut-like appearance. While it's usually harmless and temporary, if it doesn't go away on its own, you may need to see a doctor. And of course, if this happens, don't pump until you're completely cured!
While it may seem intimidating, all of this can be completely avoided if you take it slow and stick to the recommended time per session.
Get a transparent pump so you can see what's going on
One of the easiest ways to make sure you're not overdoing it is to keep an eye on what's going on and look for any signs of tension on your penis. That's why it's so important to get a pump with a clearly visible cylinder.
Look for signs of discoloration or color spots. There will be a little redness, but too much is not good. Also pay attention to how it feels. You will feel suction and pressure, but it shouldn't be uncomfortable and definitely shouldn't be painful.
In fact, some men find it pleasurable and feels like a blowjob due to the suction it creates. You should have a good time with leveling, and if not, something might be wrong.
Pay attention to the quick release valve
This is especially important if this is your first pump. Buying a pump with a quick release valve is a key way to avoid injury.
All pumps have a valve that is used to relieve pressure so you can easily take yourself out of the cylinder. The quick release valve works faster and relieves pressure almost immediately.
This way, if something hurts, discoloration, or swelling occurs, you can quickly release the pressure and minimize any potential damage.
Some people cannot use a penis pump
It is also important to note that not all people can use a penis pump and there are some conditions under which a pump should not be used. The following people cannot use the pumps.
- Patients with sickle cell anemia or any other disease that causes blood clots or excessive bleeding.
- Anyone taking blood-thinning medications.
- All with priapism.
And, if you're already on medication for erection problems, check with your doctor to make sure penile pumping is safe for you.
Conclusion
While it sounds like there are a lot of things to consider, you will find that many of these precautions come naturally to you and you won't need to think about them once you have a few of them. Follow these simple guidelines on how to use your penis pump safely and enjoy healthy erections and a great sex life.