It may surprise you that penis pumps are an extremely common device and are no longer a niche product for men. 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 weight gain, and still others use them to treat erectile dysfunction and help them maintain healthy erections during masturbation or during sex.
With all that said, here is a guide to using a penis pump safely.
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. Depending on the pump, when you pump air or water, 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 than normal in the blood vessels. 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 play session.
With long-term use, some men also find that their size keeps increasing.
Unlike most medications, penis pumps are affordable, easy to use, don't require a prescription, and are far less dangerous than more invasive treatments.
That doesn't mean there aren't risks involved with using a penis pump. 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 properly, you can easily avoid these problems.
Knowing how to use your pump safely is important because once you do, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Rule #1 of Using a Penis Pump Safely: Follow Instructions!
There are literally thousands of different penis pumps out there, and while they basically work the same, there are slight differences from pump to pump.
The best way to stay safe while pumping and avoid injury is to follow these instructions to the last detail.
I'm looking for a pump with a pressure gauge
Even if you follow the instructions, it's easy to get 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 shows you the pressure during pumping so you can keep track of how much you are putting on your penis.
A vacuum limiter, on the other hand, prevents pumping by limiting the pressure in the cylinder for you.
Use a comfortable penis pad or pump sleeve
A comfort pillow or penis pump sleeve cushions 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 your skin and the cylinder they will be quite uncomfortable to use. Too much firmness relative to your sensitive skin can also cause bruising, making the next pumping uncomfortable.
The penis sleeve also helps create a strong seal between the pump and the skin. The seal must be tight so that you can create enough suction inside the cylinder. A sleeve or pillow can also help keep the scrotum on the outside of the pump, right where you want it. A pump cylinder that is too large can leave room for the balls to be primed, but a sleeve or pad can prevent this.
Care
Another way to keep the seal tight is to trim your pubic hair as short as possible. Ideally, you can even wax or shave the area completely. But just trimming it will help keep it nice and durable.
If you find yourself following the directions and not being able to push hard enough, this may be the cause.
Lube is your friend
Apply a small amount of water-based lubricant around the pad or cuff to create an effective seal between the skin and the pump. Try not to lubricate too much as this can cause too much slippage. Apply a small amount first and see how you get on with it.
Find the right cylinder size for your body
Choosing the correct pump size is extremely important to avoid injury. A pump that is too small will not deliver enough pressure to change the size of the erection. On the other hand, a pump that is too large exerts too much pressure because the risk of pumping is higher. If the pump is too wide, it can also mean you can't make a seal and get no result.
Look carefully at the product description and take out the measuring tape.
You need to measure your penis both relaxed and erect to best determine your pump size.
The result is a cylinder that sits comfortably, yet leaves enough room to grow. And remember that in reality you will increase your height by a few centimeters at most. So don't leave too much room for growth.
Don't overdo the 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 start out, do 2-3 pumping sessions per week and don't pump for more than 15 minutes at a time. Once you become more comfortable with the process and suction, you can increase your exercise frequency and exercise more frequently.
It's important that your sessions don't exceed 15 minutes, and if you want to make them longer, take a break every 10-15 minutes. Release the pressure, stretch and massage the penis to get the blood circulating again and facilitate the pumping process.
Also, make sure your penis stops growing between pumping. If you see your penis still expanding, stop pumping until it stops. Pumping continuously for too long or too frequently is the biggest risk when it comes to penis pumping. This can cause temporary injuries such as blisters, skin discoloration, and numbness of the penis.
In fact, these are all fairly common among those new to penis pumping, and while temporary, they can be intimidating. In this case, you need to stop pumping and take a break until you fully recover.
Rupture of blood vessels is another risk of pumping. When this happens it causes immediate pain, bruising and swelling and can also affect your ability to have an erection for weeks or months. Another fairly common injury caused by overinflation is the "donut effect, " and I'm sure you can guess from the name what it might look like.
When you pump, you draw blood into the penis, but you also draw lymph fluid. This happens naturally in the body, but if too much of it is drawn into the glans, swelling can occur, creating a donut-like appearance. While it's usually harmless and temporary, you may need to see a doctor if it doesn't go away on its own. And of course, if this happens, don't pump until you're fully healed!
While it may seem intimidating, all of this can be avoided entirely if you take it slow and stick to the recommended time per session.
Get a clear 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 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 paint stains. There will be a little redness, but too much is not good. Also, pay attention to how it feels. You will feel a pull and pressure, but it shouldn't be uncomfortable and definitely not painful.
In fact, some men find it comfortable and feel like a blowjob due to the suction created. You should have a lot of fun 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 dump valve is an important way to avoid injury.
All pumps have a valve designed to release pressure so you can easily remove yourself from the bottle. The quick release valve works faster and relieves pressure almost immediately.
This way, if something hurts, becomes discolored or swollen, you can quickly relieve the pressure and minimize possible 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 when a pump should not be used. The following people cannot use the pumps.
- Patients with sickle cell anemia or another disease that causes blood clots or excessive bleeding.
- Anyone taking blood thinning medication.
- All with priapism.
And if you're already taking medication for erection problems, check with your doctor to make sure penis pumping is safe for you.
Conclusion
While it sounds like there are a lot of things to consider, you'll find that many of these precautions come naturally to you and once you've taken a few, you don't need to think about them anymore. Follow these simple guidelines to use your penis pump safely and enjoy healthy erections and a great sex life.