getting pumped up

Using vacuum erection devices (‘penis pumps’) as part of erectile function recovery post-prostate cancer treatment

why use a pump

Penile Rehabilitation:

Penile rehabilitation refers to optimising and preserving the health of your penile tissue. It's most commonly recommended after prostate surgery, where the cavernous ('erection') nerves are traumatised, and neurogenic erectile dysfunction follows.

Most men have around 5 erections a night without ever knowing about them. Those nocturnal erections are your body's own maintenance system, bringing oxygenated blood into the penile tissue while you sleep.

When ED follows prostate surgery, you lose roughly 2000 nocturnal erections a year.

That's the gap penile rehabilitation is filling. Without that regular blood flow, penile tissue can change structurally: fibrosis, Peyronie's Disease, venous leakage and shrinkage.

A vacuum erection device (VED), otherwise known as a ‘penis pump’, is a non-invasive way of getting that blood flow happening, and the gold standard is daily to replace the nocturnal activity.

Sexual Activity:

The same vacuum erection device can work for sex, so long as you have a constriction ring system.

The pump draws blood into the penis and gets you engorged, then a constriction ring goes on at the base to stop that blood from draining back out again once the cylinder comes off.

That gives you either a firm erection or a fully engorged penis.

A few things worth knowing first, because a pumped erection doesn't behave quite like a natural one.

  • May not be as hard. Your erection is unlikely to have the same firmness you remember, and that's unfortunately just the physics of it. Plenty of men have very satisfying sex with a pumped erection anyway.

  • Hinges at the base. The engorgement sits in the shaft rather than the base, so your penis may rotate or pivot more than you expect. This is called the 'Hinge Effect'. Keeping one hand on the base of the shaft during slow, gentle insertion gives you more control.

  • May look and feel different. A blueish or purplish tinge and a 'cooling' sensation are completely normal and nothing to worry about.

  • Getting the ring size right matters most. You need to find the size that fits you best, like tailoring a suit. Start with the largest ring and work down until you find the one that holds. It's why we recommend pumps that come with a range of rings.

  • ALWAYS take the ring off after 30 minutes. This lets oxygenated blood flow through the penis again and prevents bruising.

There's more on all of this in our guides to pump side effects and how to avoid them, and what to do if you can't penetrate after pumping.

Take our Free Rehab Course to learn more

how to pump

Here’s a quick 30-second video on how to use the Vacurect pump.

For more detailed instructions, including live demonstration videos of various pumps, check out our ED Pumps: demonstration video library.

ED Pumps: Video Library

Which pump is right for you?

Scroll the table sideways to see every detail →

  In one line Price Medical device Rings included Air / Water Pumping action Sizes available Where to buy
Vacurect One-piece manual pump. Up-down pumping motion. The ring/opening clips on the end of the cylinder.
AUD$355OTC 10 kit (10 rings)
USD$289OTC 10 kit (10 rings)
 Yes OTC 10 comes with 10 rings. OTC 5 comes with 5. Air only. You can use it in the shower, but it doesn't need water to operate. Manual, one piece 2 sizes, Vacurect Classic or Vacurect Plus Buy Australia
Buy USA
VaxAid Deluxe Can use in water or air. Push bellows against body, or use the squeeze handball attachment. Rings clip to the cylinder entrance.
AUD$389
USD$299
 Yes 5 support rings Air or water. Shower, bath or dry. Manual, squeeze handball 7 sizes Buy worldwide
VaxAid Trainer The same pump as the Deluxe, with fewer parts and no ring system.
AUD$149
USD$139.99
 Yes None. Rings are sold separately in packs of 5. Air or water. Shower, bath or dry. Manual One size only (V7), up to 7in length and 6in girth Buy worldwide
Mojo Rehab Kit Commercial sex shop pump, squeeze-bulb, one ring.
AUD$110
USDAustralian shop only
 No 1 rehabilitation erection ring Air only Manual, squeeze bulb One size Buy Australia
SomaTherapy Battery-powered head, automatic button press.
AUD$548.90Touch II Automatic, from RS Health
USD$299OTC Premium, from Augusta Medical
 Yes SureFit tension system. 3 sizes in the US kit. Air only Automatic, battery powered. The US kit also includes a manual pump head. One standard cylinder. 2 sizing adapters in the US kit. Buy Australia
Buy USA

Prices checked September 2026. Medicare does not cover any of these devices in Australia. VaxAid show their prices in your own currency, so an Australian buyer sees the AUD price at checkout. The Mojo kit is sold from an Australian shop only. Some of these are affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It is what lets us keep making free educational content, so thank you.

pumped with questions

  • There are no side effects when used safely and as recommended by the manufacturer. The Vacurect comes with written instructions, but you can also read our article about the potential side effects from pumping and how to avoid them:

    Read the FIVE possible pumping side effects here.

  • Studies show that daily use of a vacuum erection device can help regain size over time, as well as prevent shrinkage post Prostatectomy.

    Read article on pump rehab protocol for regaining size here.

  • Do not panic - often you simply need to adjust your technique or equipment to get better results.

    Read our troubleshooting guide here.

    If you think the pump equipment you are using is faulty, please contact the supplier you purchased through.

  • You will not keep the erection up after pumping unless you are using a constriction ring/system.

    It will take experimentation to find the right sized constriction opening for you. Our recommended vacuum pump for ED, the Vacurect comes with 10 ring sizes.

    View our Rings page for more tips on finding the right ring size and recommended rings for non-Vacurect pumps.

    If you are using a generic sex shop style pump, we recommend this set of four silicone-based constriction rings designed to fit around the base of any pump.

  • If you experience a ‘bulging’ at the base of your penis when you start using the pump, try this stretching technique pre-pumping.

    That method tends to fix erection quality when pumping. There are a few other ways you can improve the consistency and quality of your erections in our troubleshooting guide.

    If you are finding the erection post-pumping (with a ring) is not adequate for intercourse, view our guide on intercourse-ready strategies with a pump.

  • If you are finding the erection post-pumping (with a ring) is not adequate for intercourse, view our guide on how to avoid penis pump side effects here.

    If the pain persists please seek medical attention.

  • If you have any bruising/blistering on your penis after pumping this is likely due to pumping too quickly. Don’t worry though, this is likely due to burst blood vessels that will naturally heal over time with a break from using a pump.

    To learn more about side effects view our guide on how to avoid pumping side effects here.

    Discontinue pumping until the bruising or blistering subsides. If it is not subsiding please seek advice from a medical professional.

  • Applying water-based lubricant all over the shaft before inserting into the pump can help prevent this. When the penis gets stuck to the side of the tube, give the tube a small shake.

  • Standing is the ideal position for pumping.

    Here’s a video all about positions to try when pumping to improve your experience.

  • Yes, vacuum erection devices/pumps are designed for anyone looking to create erections using vacuum technology.

    As always, please consult your Urologist or Medical Professionals to ensure a vacuum erection device is a viable option for your situation.

  • If by ‘work’ you mean creating an erection when you want one, then yes. A pump simply draws blood into the penis, and a constriction ring system keeps it there, giving you an erection for 30 minutes max.

    If you are wondering whether using using a pump long term for penile rehabilitation will bring back spontaneous erections, that is a much more complex question to answer.

    Our free rehab program and this interview with Urologist, Professor Declan Murphy, may assist you.

  • It is important to understand the underlying causes of your erection changes/challenges in order to help choose the most appropriate treatments and tools for you. We recommend always working with relevant medical professionals to help with this.

    In the case of performance anxiety, you can consult with a sexual therapist who is trained in this area. They might recommend a vacuum device as an option for you, if so feel free to share these resources we provide about pumps to discuss if this is an appropriate option.

  • Vacuum erection devices can be a useful tool for reducing curvature in the case of Peyronie’s Disease, however, every case of Peyronie’s Disease is different. It depends on where the curvature is, and the degree/angle the penis bends when erect as to what pump model will be most suitable. It is best to first consult with your medical specialist team around the best course of treatment and pump model for you.

    This interview with Dr Jo Milios may be a useful resource about treatment options for Peyronie’s Disease.

  • Every pump is different, and it’s best to check with the supplier you purchase from.

    You can use the Vacurect safely in the shower as it does not have any electronic components.

    This can also be a great idea as a way to help incorporate rehabilitation into a daily activity. We also recommend using the Vacurect in the shower if you are experiencing incontinence.

    Some pumps such as the Bathmate are designed to be used with water so are ideal in the shower (but do not come with constriction systems, so can only be used for rehab).

  • The answer is - potentially! It depends on where you are in the world, what insurance policy you have, and why you are purchasing a pump.

    If you can claim a vacuum erection device via your health insurance company, you will likely need a letter from your urologist, so make sure you ask for one in your next appointment.

    Here are some other tips for claiming.

  • We recommend a thick water-based lubricant when the base of your pump is silicone (like the Vacurect).

    The Vacurect comes with an ideal water-based lubricant to start you off with. When you run out, our page on lubricants will help you choose your next lube.

    Visit our lubricants page here.

  • Please consult your medical professionals before purchasing the Vacurect if you are on blood thinners. These medications can increase the chance of bruising.

    You can also view our video on how to stay safe when pumping.

‘Pump therapy’

Here’s a selection of clinical literature on using a pump for penile rehabilitation post-prostate cancer surgery.