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Launch Medical
7585 E. Redfield Rd, Suite 105
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(866) 781-9616
US-based company
Combining a penis pump with Li-ESWT is one of the most effective ways to support healthy sexual function. Here’s what you need to know about these vacuum erection devices.
Last Updated: 12/08/2025
Penis pumps bring more blood flow into the penile tissue and strengthen the blood vessels that feed the tissue, lending a helping hand to your sexual function. That’s why adding a penis pump—otherwise known as a vacuum pump, vacuum constriction devices, a vacuum erection device, a cock ring, or vacuum erectile devices—into your routine is an important part of our 90-day challenge.
In our 90-day challenge, we ask men to make specific lifestyle changes in order to have better sex and to support the health of men who have erectile dysfunction. Part Ten of the challenge focuses on adding a penis pump to your routine. Combining a penis pump with other strategies like Li-ESWT (acoustic soundwave therapy) and the smart cock ring are especially effective to support healthy sexual function and to maintain an erection firm enough for sex.
For most men, a penis pump is a great choice to improve sexual satisfaction. It uses negative air pressure to create a vacuum and draw blood into the penis, which can trigger an erection, especially in men with erectile dysfunction. However, some men should talk to their doctor before using one. These include men who have a blood disorder and take blood-thinning medicines for blood clots. These medicines can increase the risk of internal bleeding when using a penis pump.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a penis pump is a good choice because:(1)
They’re affordable.
You can use them with other methods, like Li-ESWT. In fact, a lot of men have better results if they use more than one method for improving sexual function.
When used correctly and with practice, penile pumps are often effective in men with erectile dysfunction.
They’re non-invasive and have minimal risks when they’re used right.
They support sexual function in men who underwent prostate surgery or prostate cancer treatment.(2)
A penis pump is an alternative way to deal with erectile dysfunction. But is a penis pump effective? One group of researchers answered that question when they reviewed a number of published studies on the topic.(3) Their review found that, when compared with the placebo group (no intervention), a penis pump was better at reducing erectile dysfunction.
Likewise, when a penis pump was combined with erectile dysfunction medications, its effectiveness was significantly better than using ED pills alone. The penis pump was safe in men with erectile dysfunction and had mild and reversible side effects.
A penis pump consists of a tube that goes over your penis and a battery-powered or hand-powered vacuum device that sucks out air from the tube, sending a rush of blood flow to the penis and creating an erection. Constriction rings such as The Smart Ring can be used with the penis pump to support a healthy erection by keeping the blood in the penis longer.
Most men find it easy to use a penis pump. Here’s how it’s done:
Optional: shave the pubic hair at the base of your penis. That way, the constriction ring won’t get tangled in the hair.
Slide your penis into the plastic tube. Using a lubricant can prevent irritation.
Create a vacuum inside the plastic tube using the penis pump, which is either manual or motorized.
Once you’re erect, position a constriction ring around the base of the penis and remove the tube. Keep the ring in place for no more than 30 minutes.
Want to know which penis pump is best for you? Read our blog post comparing different types of penis pumps sold online, so you’ll know the pros and cons of each.
As long as you’re using your penis pump correctly, you can use it as many times per day as you can tolerate. Some men use a penis pump once per day, while others use it several times daily.
One men’s clinic recommends using a penis pump at least three to five times per week for 10 minutes each time. Using it together with an at-home Li-ESWT device and the Smart Ring can boost the effectiveness of Li-ESWT and the effectiveness of the penis pump itself.
Although you can use a penis pump several times per day, you should take some precautions to ensure the vacuum pump is safe and comfortable.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Don’t leave the constriction ring on for more than 30 minutes.
Use lube. Apply it to the shaft and base of the penis and along the end of the cylinder.
Applying too much air pressure with a vacuum pump can lead to pain, numbness, bruising, petechiae (tiny red spots from burst capillaries), bluish skin, and tissue damage. You can prevent this type of damage by using a vacuum limiter and avoiding too much pressure, such as 200 to 300 mmHg.
You can use a penis pump as many times per day as you can tolerate. Some men only use a penis pump once per day, other men use one several times daily. Just be certain that you’re using a vacuum pump properly.
One men’s clinic recommends using a vacuum pump at least three to five times per week for 10 minutes each time. Using it together with an at-home Li-ESWT device and the Smart Ring can boost the effectiveness of Li-ESWT and the effectiveness of the penis pump itself, and you might not need to use it as often.
A review of published studies indicates that using a penis pump together with erectile dysfunction pills is effective at restoring erectile function in men who had their prostates removed.(4) This same review also indicated that acoustic soundwave therapy was a promising approach in men who had nerve-sparing prostate surgery. Talk to your doctor and surgeon about whether this approach might help you.
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/penis-pump/about/pac-20385225
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4708600/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41147931/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32748616/
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Week 2:Sugar and Sodas: Two Important Causes of Low Libido in Men
Week 3: Is Late-Night Eating Bad for Sexual Health?
Week 4:How To Stop Drinking Coffee and Alcohol to Boost Your Sex Drive
Week 5:Foods that Cause Inflammation and Decrease Libido in Men
Week 6:How to Increase Sexual Stamina with Exercise
Week 7: Can TV and Smartphone Addiction Cause Low Libido?
Week 8: How Does Marijuana or Cigarette Smoking Affect Your Libido?
Week 9: How Much Porn Is Too Much?
Launch Medical
7585 E. Redfield Rd, Suite 105
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(866) 781-9616
US-based company
