Troubles in the bedroom are a common problem—including erectile dysfunction. If you’ve found this blog while trying to find at-home solutions to your problems, you’ve come to the right place! So, let’s jump in.
Erectile dysfunction is a common type of sexual dysfunction that can occur at any point in a person’s life. It refers to the inability to start or maintain an erection long enough for enjoyable sex. Despite what many may think, this condition is not limited to older individuals, and can even happen after you’ve had successful erections previously.
This condition can understandably be very frustrating, but it isn’t the end of your sex life!
There are tools that can help you manage your symptoms of erectile dysfunction at home while you get to the root of the issue with treatment! The main two non-drug options for erectile dysfunction are penis pumps and penis rings. These aren’t meant to be permanent fixes, but can help support better sexual function while you engage in other more significant treatments.
There’s also no reason to be ashamed of this condition. Sexual dysfunctions are very common, and can often be treated. In many cases, erectile dysfunction can be addressed by pelvic floor physical therapy, which you can learn more about on the main erectile dysfunction page.
Now, let’s discuss the two tools you can use to manage your symptoms!
About Penis Pumps and Rings
Benefits of Penis Pumps
Penis pumps are tools used to help encourage an erection by creating a suction around the penis, which brings blood into the shaft. Due to their design, penis pumps are often called vacuum pumps or vacuum erection devices.
These pumps work by placing a plastic tube over your penis, and using a pump attached to the tube to create the suction. Once an erection is achieved, you’ll utilize a penis ring to help keep the blood flow in place. Despite what some sources claim, this tool is only used to help encourage an erection, not to enlarge the penis.
Penis pumps are either manual, meaning you create the suction with a hand pump, or battery-powered, meaning it does the work for you! This makes them relatively simple to use with some practice, and an effective way to support sexual function for most types of erectile dysfunction.
If you’re interested in trying penis pumps, here are my recommendations:
Benefits of Penis Rings
Penis rings have many alternate names—you may have heard of cock rings, erection rings, tension rings, constriction rings, and many other terminologies.
While they can help with erectile dysfunction and are often used together with penis pumps, they can be used individually for those with mild erectile dysfunction or even for those without erectile dysfunction.
Penis rings simply maintain blood in the penis for a better, long-lasting erection. They come in many different types: solid and rigid, soft and stretchy, adjustable, and even vibrating. If you buy a penis pump set, it may even come with one!
Those who are new to penis rings should start with the soft and stretchy ones. They are easier to use and are generally safer than the rigid options.
The rigid options aren’t always designed in a way that makes them easy to remove, so be very careful when choosing a penis ring—you don’t want what was supposed to be a pleasurable experience to turn into a trip to the emergency room. If you choose to use a hard ring, use one that is designed to be removed easily.
Penis rings can not only help maintain your erection longer, but it can help give you a boost in confidence you may have been lacking due to erectile dysfunction. Some penis rings are even designed to help stimulate you or your partner too, so you can make things fun for the both of you!
Here are some of my recommendations for penis rings:
Using These Tools Safely
Penis pumps and rings can be fantastic tools to improve sexual pleasure and function. However, these are tools that directly affect your penis, and using them without caution can result in injury. Below, we’ll talk about proper usage, possible side effects, and other things you should know about these tools.
About Using Penis Pumps
Not all penis pumps are made the same. They can be found in many places, including stores that sell other sexual pleasure items—but these may not always be the best quality for your needs and symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
No matter which type of penis pump you choose, it is important to choose one that has a vacuum limiter, which prevents the pressure from getting too high (which can actually injure your penis). If you are unsure of which one to get, ask your provider for a recommendation.
It’s also important to know that using a penis pump can have side effects. Be sure to follow instructions and to start slowly in order not to injure yourself. Possible side effects can involve bruising and petechiae. These can be due to using too much pressure in the vacuum.
Other side effects can include skin irritation and discomfort, particularly at the base of the vacuum. This is usually caused by a lack of proper lubrication. Be sure to use plenty of lubricant while using the penis pump and during other sexual activities that may follow.
There are many different lubricants to choose based on many different factors that affect both you and your partner. If you are worried about skin irritation, choose a safe, non-irritating option such as this lubricant.
Before using a penis pump, you should know that this tool may produce an erection that doesn’t feel the same as a natural erection. The erection may be more flexible than usual as well. Be sure to practice caution during sexual activity, and try to practice getting into the mood beforehand rather than relying solely on the penis pump entirely.
Lastly, using a penis pump can take practice. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t find success or make a mistake the first few times. It may feel a bit funny to use these devices, but you will likely become more accustomed to them with time!
About Using Penis Rings
Just like with penis pumps, you should practice caution when choosing and wearing a penis ring. While pleasure can be exciting, you should not leave a penis ring on for too long as this can result in injury.
Make sure not to use a ring that is too tight on your penis. This can result in side effects such as your penis feeling cold and numb, or painful ejaculation. In some cases, you may not ejaculate at your climax while wearing a penis ring. These rings can often prevent ejaculation, and so you may experience dripping from the penis once the ring is removed.
Additionally, using a penis ring should not hurt. While it may feel a little funny the first time you wear one, they should not cause any pain. If it does hurt to wear one, it is too tight for you.
Lastly, do not force on a ring that is too small for you or that is made of a hard, rigid material. By doing this, you’ll risk getting the ring stuck on your penis, which will require immediate medical attention.
Both penis pumps and penis rings are non-drug options that can be suitable for individuals who have certain contraindications to oral medications for erectile dysfunction. They are also an affordable option with less side effects than some medications used for erectile dysfunction.
However, some individuals may still be contraindicated to using these tools, so be sure to speak with your provider before trying penis pumps or rings.
Getting to the Root of Your Erectile Dysfunction
Penis pumps and rings are very helpful tools, but they won’t cure your erectile dysfunction. While it can depend on the person and cause, erectile dysfunction is often very treatable!
Erectile dysfunction can have many different causes, all of which may require a different treatment approach. This is because many different parts of the body work together to make erection happen. Hormones, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles all contribute to the arousal process and erection.
When your erectile dysfunction is caused by physical factors, penis pumps and rings are a great way to help manage symptoms. However, it isn’t ideal to rely on these tools forever. For example, if your erectile dysfunction is caused by pelvic floor dysfunction, you may end up struggling with other symptoms that penis pumps and rings cannot support.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause erectile dysfunction by compressing important nerves, preventing necessary blood flow, or even interrupting mental arousal due to uncomfortable muscle spasms or pain.
These effects happen because the pelvic floor muscles are too tight, too weak, uncoordinated, or a combination of the few. Pelvic floor problems don’t just affect sexual function—they can affect your urinary and bowel function, too.
If you experience symptoms like incontinence, urinary urgency, constipation, painful bowel movements, pelvic pain, painful sex, and other similar symptoms, you are likely struggling with pelvic floor dysfunction. The good news is that pelvic floor dysfunction is very treatable, and by receiving treatment, you can have better overall sexual, urinary, and bowel function!
While seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction can seem intimidating, rest assured that sexual dysfunctions are a very common condition that pelvic floor physical therapists like myself see all the time.
There’s absolutely no reason to be ashamed about erectile dysfunction or any other sexual struggles. I’ve helped countless patients regain control over their pelvic floor and improve their sexual function, and I’m here to help motivate you, too!
Get started with treatment for erectile dysfunction and other pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms by making an appointment! I accept patients of all ages and gender identities. You can also have questions about appointments or treatment answered with a discovery call.
This blog may contain links to affiliate products recommended by Dr. Laura Meihofer. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same, but Laura will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated!
