Vacuum Pump for Erection Problems

Q. My friend has erectile dysfunction and was given injections of papaverine. These were painful, so he discontinued. Now he is using a vacuum pump device. Is it safe to use such a device? How long can one use it in one session? Are there any side effects to prolonged use?

A. Vacuum devices to improve erections have been used for years. In fact, the U.S. Patent Office issued its first patent for such a device in 1917. The devices have undergone many changes since then, and today they are FDA- approved for erectile dysfunction.

The vacuum erection device works by creating the vacuum around the penis, causing blood to rush into it. Once the penis is full and erect, a constriction band is placed at the base of the penis. The constriction band is the key to a successful safe erection. The band should not be so tight that it causes pain, yet it must be tight enough to trap the blood in the penis and maintain the erection.

To answer your first question, yes, the device is generally very safe to use, although there have been some serious complications reported. One problem reported was gangrene of the penile skin in a paraplegic man who used a constriction band for three days. Another reported complaint was scarring in the penis related to tension from the ring. Other than these isolated incidents, the usual complaints are minor; they include bruising, pain, coolness of the penis and occasionally pain on ejaculation.

The usual amount of time the construction device can stay on is 20 minutes. However, I have had many patients leave it on for longer amounts of time without any problems. Certainly, though, I would never go beyond an hour, to avoid the possibility that the penis would suffer and scar internally.