• Air penis pumps – these are the standard, common types of VCD and combine a cylinder with a hand pump. These are very simple and straightforward to use, and generally a single sealed unit and are often the type product suggested or prescribed by doctors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. They are cheap, cheerful, lightweight and for the short term effective.
• Electric penis pumps – these are generally more expensive due to the inclusion of battery operated parts however function in much the same as a standard air pump. Without a hand pump you can sit back and relax as an electric pump automatically creates and maintains the exact pressure you require. For obvious reasons an electric penis pump cannot be used with water unless specifically stated.
• Water penis pumps – often referred to as “hydro” pumps, these type of vacuum constriction devices use designed to be used with water so are perfect for when you’re in the bath or the shower.

Given water is thicker than air, this provides a better level of support for the penis during pumping whilst also providing more equal pressure over the entire length of the penis.

Given the devices have to be more durable due to the use of water, they are generally of much higher quality, built using better materials but as a result are more expensive.

Unlike air and electric penis pumps, hydro penis pumps can be used by compressing the gaiter/pump at the base of the device or (where provided) using a connected hand pump.

If you’re not sure which type of penis pump to buy, or you simply have a specific budget you need to stick to, then my list of best penis pumps to buy will provide some insightful advice on the penis pump to choose based on your budget and expectations.

1. If possible trim and reduce the amount of pubic hair you have to allow for a better level of suction to be achieved – the better the seal, the less chance of air escaping and the stronger the vacuum
2. Ideally achieve a semi erect state of between 60 to 80%
3. Position the penis pump cylinder over the penis and ensure the base of the pump is pressed firmly against the groin
4. Depending on the type of penis pump you have, physically compress the gaiter, using a hand pump or use an electric vacuum pump to create the vacuum inside the cylinder
5. Maintain a comfortable pressure for between 5-20 minutes
6. When finished, slowly release pressure from the cylinder before finally removing the device

Depending on the type of penis pump you have will determine how that vacuum of pressure is created within the pump cylinder – generally there are 3 approaches based on the specific VCD you’ve chosen.

1. Hand pumps – all air specific pumps include some form of hand pump usually in the form of a ball pump (that you squeeze) or a trigger pump that you pull. The type of hand pump you opt for is really a case of personal preference – you may find that if you have smaller hands a ball pump is easier to compress in your hand, or if you have larger hands a trigger pump is easier to grip and squeeze.
2. Physical pumping – more common in hydro penis pumps (pumps that use water), this type of pumping involves compressing and pushing the VCD down onto your groin region. As you pump more pressure and suction is created within the cylinder and excess air and water is expelled from a release valve at the other end of the device.The level of comfort can vary based on the stiffness of the pump/gaiter (the stiffer the pump/gaiter the harder it is to pump but the more pressure is generally created), the sensitivity of your skin and the type of material used for the pump element of the device – whether is rubber, silicone or some other pliable material.
3. Electric pumps – unlike the other types of pump, electric pumps take all the effort out of creating a vacuum of pressure. Containing replacement batteries or in some cases charged via a USB cable, once positioned over the penis the device works generates pressure within the cylinder via a electric vacuum pump.

Each electric vacuum pump varies however generally they include an on/off switch, plus/minus buttons to increase/decrease pressure and a digital display that shows the amount of pressure generated within the cylinder.

Some electric penis pumps are also self regulating hence when pressure drops below a certain point, the device will kick into action and maintain the pressure setting you’ve specified.

Yes you can, but you don’t have to. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference as to whether you use a constriction ring (also known and referred to as a cock ring) or not.

Those that suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) or simply have a weaker state of erection, may find that a constriction ring is especially beneficial as once an erection is attained, applying a restriction ring means that an erect state can be maintained for a much longer period of time.

In some cases devices designed specifically for ED sufferers (such as the Vaxaid penis pump) will include a constriction ring however for devices (especially the hydro pumps) that are primarily designed for increasing the length and girth of the penis, a constriction ring is less important and not always provided as standard.

Obviously you can always opt to buy a constriction/cock ring separately.

There is honestly no correct or accurate answer to this question simply because every penis pump and indeed every penis is a little bit different.

As a ballpark figure it’s feasibly possible to gain around half an inch in the space of 1-4 months with a further 1-2 inches in a 6-12 month period.

To further improve your chances of obtaining permanent gains it’s also worth combining other natural male enhancement techniques such as jelqing or stretching exercises.

Importantly you need to understand that if you’re looking to gain 1, 2, 3 or even 4 inches of extra length (not to mention gains in girth), the entire process is not a sprint but a marathon – slow and steady wins the race!

You’re not going to get permanent results overnight however if you have focus, dedication and consistency, penis pumps can provide you with a natural and effective approach to increasing the length and girth of your penis.

A gaiter or bellow is simply another word for the rubber or silicone element of the penis pump located at the base of the device and is generally used in hydro pumps when the pump gaiter is compressed to created the required vacuum within the cylinder.

Unlike a penis pump sleeve which simply provides some comfort and improves the seal between the base of the penis pump and the skin, a gaiter is much bigger and is designed to be compressed – an approach to producing suction and a vacuum without the need for a hand pump.

Yes! Although there are currently no medically endorsed penis pumps on the market, numerous medical institutions across the globe recommend the use of penis pumps for those that suffer from impotence related issues.

Taking the United States as an example, Medicaid has covered over $100 million worth of penis pumps for those patients whose insurance cover this type of medical condition.

Obviously each private insurance company will have its own rules as to whether or not a candidate qualifies, not to mention the fact that patients would have to undergo an assessment and diagnosis by a medical professional.

Across the pond in the UK, the publicly funded Health Service – the NHS – have a page dedicated to erection problems and erectile dysfunction. They go onto very briefly talk about the use of penis pumps as a treatment for erectile dysfunction however such a treatment and actually getting a penis pump on the NHS is not always available so it’s purely a case of talking to your doctor to determine where to get such a device and whether or not it is covered by the NHS.

Yes, but due to the dimensions of a penis pump, curing Peyronie’s Disease using such a device is generally only effective when the level of penile curvature is less than 20 degrees. Where curvature is greater than 20 degrees this can make using and applying the penis pump difficult or, simply impossible.

Peyronise’s Disease is a curvature of the penis caused not by a congenital disease (as we discuss below) but more a physical trauma to the penis. As a result of damaging or hurting the penis, scar tissue is created as your body heals and it’s this build up of scar tissue that, over time causes a bend in the penis to occur.

Where a penis pump helps correct this issue is through the use of pressure created by the vacuum inside the cylinder. Over time this pressure allows the scar tissue that causes Peyronie’s Disease to break down and dissolve which then leads to the curvature in the penis gradually reducing.

Of course if you do suffer from what you believe to be Peyronise’s Disease, it’s always best to discuss your treatment options with a medical professional so they can assess the degree of your condition and advise on the best course of treatment.

Unfortunately, unlike Peyronie’s Disease which is a medical condition that gradually gets worse over a prolonged period of time if left untreated due to the buildup of scar tissue and plaque on the penis, congenital curvature of the penis is a genetic medical condition and one that you will have had since birth.

Given the curvature of the penis is caused by genetics and not the buildup of scar tissue, using a penis pump will still aid blood flow to the penis and help with symptoms such as erectile dysfunction or increasing your penile size, however does not have the ability to actually correct or cure the underlying cause of your penile curvature.

If you suffer from congenital penile curvature, we’d recommend discussing your symptoms and degree of curvature with a medical practitioner to determine the best course of treatment that is not only safe, but also effective given the degree of curvature you experience.