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What's the best way to use a VED?

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User
Posted 06 Sep 2025 at 12:58

I was given a vacuum erection device by the hospital (Stockport NHS) after catheter removal and am now 5 weeks post robotic prostatectomy. I've had no guidance on its use and having read the instructions and a load of online information, it seems there is little consensus on best practice for penile rehabilitation. I'm very keen to learn from this community ASAP since there is clear agreement that this should be started early. Key messages would be: how often per day and per week, time duration for each erection? Use with PDE5 inhibitors? Many thanks!

User
Posted 06 Sep 2025 at 17:21
Hi Calluna I’m still using mine 10 years on just to keep the old fella fit and healthy and decent looking !

We didn’t really like it for sexual purposes but I’ve used it at least three times a week for around 15mins just to get an erection and then hold it , topping up the vacuum as necessary! I usually coincide it with a shave at the sink which is good multi-tasking. Make sure your pubic area around the seal is kept well trimmed or bare.

It took me 2 1/2 years to regain normal sexual function and using 5mg Tadalafil with my night meds. A cheap penis ring is invaluable also , capable of turning a 70% into a 90% erection. Good luck

User
Posted 06 Sep 2025 at 19:12
I use mine for about 10 mins and hold the erection for the full ten minutes and try to do it three times a week. My operation was non nerve sparing so as soon as the vacuum drops so do I.

I do use it for sex and I am lucky enough to get a strong enough erection that ring will keep it up and it doesn't bend around the ring. It's not easy to get the ring on the outside of the vacuum tube but it works provided you lube the outside of the tube so it's easy to slip off. If you do use it for sex then remember the 30 minute rule. You need to release the ring within 30 mins or the old boy might start to have issues. I set an alarm on my phone in case I lose focus on how long it's been on.

User
Posted 06 Sep 2025 at 20:45
Just 10 to 15 mins each time mate
User
Posted 08 Sep 2025 at 22:02
Calluna, at the point I was prescribed one of these devices I did a bit of searching online to try to get more detailed guidance. Research studies didn't compare approaches (it was comparing using one with not) but the online guidance notes that can be found for quite a few hospitals made it clear there was some variety in what was suggested.

What Paul suggests seems pretty standard, 10 minutes 3 times a week. I found my penis was beginning to look a bit blue if I held the vacuum that long, so I ended up following the recommendation of some doctor in the States to release the pressure briefly every 2 minutes and then re-pump.

If you search this forum you will find lots of advice on getting a good seal and avoiding getting your balls caught up (very painful!)

User
Posted 10 Sep 2025 at 11:19

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
 I found my penis was beginning to look a bit blue

Mine also looks a bit sad. It's half the penis it used to be.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  😉 

Edited by member 10 Sep 2025 at 15:43  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 13 Sep 2025 at 06:47

The constriction rings are only if you want sex, i.e. to retain an erection after taking the tube off.

For penile rehab, you don't use them.

For the clear silicone rings, when new, stretch it first (like you would a balloon before blowing it up), and maybe heat it in warm water. Not necessary if it's been used before. Don't use the loading cone which comes with the pump with these rings, as it can cause micro scratches on them, which will cause them to snap. (They tend to last up to 40 uses before they snap anyway.) Just stretch over the open end of the pump tube.

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User
Posted 06 Sep 2025 at 17:21
Hi Calluna I’m still using mine 10 years on just to keep the old fella fit and healthy and decent looking !

We didn’t really like it for sexual purposes but I’ve used it at least three times a week for around 15mins just to get an erection and then hold it , topping up the vacuum as necessary! I usually coincide it with a shave at the sink which is good multi-tasking. Make sure your pubic area around the seal is kept well trimmed or bare.

It took me 2 1/2 years to regain normal sexual function and using 5mg Tadalafil with my night meds. A cheap penis ring is invaluable also , capable of turning a 70% into a 90% erection. Good luck

User
Posted 06 Sep 2025 at 18:03

Chris, sounds good. How many seconds or minutes would you hold an erection for under vacuum?

User
Posted 06 Sep 2025 at 19:12
I use mine for about 10 mins and hold the erection for the full ten minutes and try to do it three times a week. My operation was non nerve sparing so as soon as the vacuum drops so do I.

I do use it for sex and I am lucky enough to get a strong enough erection that ring will keep it up and it doesn't bend around the ring. It's not easy to get the ring on the outside of the vacuum tube but it works provided you lube the outside of the tube so it's easy to slip off. If you do use it for sex then remember the 30 minute rule. You need to release the ring within 30 mins or the old boy might start to have issues. I set an alarm on my phone in case I lose focus on how long it's been on.

User
Posted 06 Sep 2025 at 20:45
Just 10 to 15 mins each time mate
User
Posted 08 Sep 2025 at 22:02
Calluna, at the point I was prescribed one of these devices I did a bit of searching online to try to get more detailed guidance. Research studies didn't compare approaches (it was comparing using one with not) but the online guidance notes that can be found for quite a few hospitals made it clear there was some variety in what was suggested.

What Paul suggests seems pretty standard, 10 minutes 3 times a week. I found my penis was beginning to look a bit blue if I held the vacuum that long, so I ended up following the recommendation of some doctor in the States to release the pressure briefly every 2 minutes and then re-pump.

If you search this forum you will find lots of advice on getting a good seal and avoiding getting your balls caught up (very painful!)

User
Posted 09 Sep 2025 at 09:31

I'm waiting for my prescription to be available following my appointment last week with the iMedicare rep, courtesy of my local NHS trust.

His instructions are:

Pumping Protocol: 2-3 pumps every 5 seconds. Hold scrotal skin during pumping.

Initial Recovery Phase: 10 to 20 erections in a row holding each erection for not more than 5 seconds. Every day for 4 weeks.

Longer Term Recovery: Continue to repeat protocol above, a minimum of 2-3 times a week thereafter to maintain good penile health, further improve penile circulation and optimize chance of erectile recovery.

 

User
Posted 09 Sep 2025 at 12:49

Hi Davey, that's useful advice from the company rep as I have the same kit. I've been training now for a week and in another weeks time I hope to try a penis ring. At this stage I don't think I have the strength to put the ring on the vacuum tube! But thanks for your message. I'm sure we'll get there.

User
Posted 10 Sep 2025 at 11:19

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
 I found my penis was beginning to look a bit blue

Mine also looks a bit sad. It's half the penis it used to be.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  😉 

Edited by member 10 Sep 2025 at 15:43  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 13 Sep 2025 at 06:47

The constriction rings are only if you want sex, i.e. to retain an erection after taking the tube off.

For penile rehab, you don't use them.

For the clear silicone rings, when new, stretch it first (like you would a balloon before blowing it up), and maybe heat it in warm water. Not necessary if it's been used before. Don't use the loading cone which comes with the pump with these rings, as it can cause micro scratches on them, which will cause them to snap. (They tend to last up to 40 uses before they snap anyway.) Just stretch over the open end of the pump tube.

 
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