vacuum erection devices

Last reviewed 01/2018

These devices consist of a rigid plastic cylinder that is placed over the penis and air is sucked out by a hand or electrical pump and creates a negative pressure around the penis that increases corporal blood flow

• highly effective in inducing erections regardless of the aetiology of the ED
• reported satisfaction rates vary considerably from 35% [81] to 84%
• adverse effects include bruising, local pain, and failure to ejaculate. Partners sometimes report the penis feels cold
• the erection is maintained by placement of a constriction ring around the base of the penis in order to decrease corporeal venous damage
• there is a reported long-term success in about 60% of patients
• contraindicated in men with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant therapy.

Reference:

• (1) Hackett G et al. British Society for Sexual Medicine guidelines on the management of erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2008;5(8):1841-65.