Vacuum Erection Devices (ED Pumps): How They Work and How to Choose One

Key Takeaways

• Many men with diabetes experience erectile dysfunction (ED) as one of the most common problems due to high blood sugar levels.

• A vacuum erection device (VED) works by manually pulling blood into the penis and may help improve erections without pills, injections, or surgery.

• Erection pumps (ED pumps) generally run less than a few hundred dollars and can last for years, which may be cheaper than refilling prescription drugs over time.

Erectile dysfunction can affect everything, from your relationships to overall self-esteem, especially when it happens on top of type 2 diabetes or other health problems. If you have diabetes, ED is quite common and a sign that your blood vessels and nerves are running into the same problems affecting your eyes and feet. 

Although prescription drugs like Viagra and Cialis can be a first-line option, a vacuum erection device, often called an erectile dysfunction pump or erection pump, is a legitimate non-drug option that can help. Let’s walk through how ED pumps work, the research behind them, and how to choose among the different types, such as those found in our ED pumps collection.

Why Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction Show Up Together

Diabetes and ED are more closely related than most people think. It has to do with the blood vessels and nerves that become damaged from high blood sugar levels. These blood vessels and nerves are found throughout the body, including the penis, which can make it difficult to achieve an erection. 

Compared with non-diabetic peers, men with diabetes are more than three times as likely to report ED. "Just take a Viagra" doesn't always work as well in men with diabetes, since the pill may not work as well when there’s damage in the blood vessels or nerves. Pumps don't depend on either system being intact, which is why they can be helpful when other options fail. 

How an Erection Pump Actually Works

An erection pump doesn’t have too many moving parts. It consists of a cylinder, a hand- or battery-powered head, one or more silicone rings, and lubricant. You apply lubricant, slide the cylinder over the penis until it seals against the body, and pump the air out of the cylinder. 

The negative pressure increases blood flow into the corpora cavernosa within a few minutes, which causes an erection sufficient for intercourse. You then place a constriction ring on the base of the penis to keep blood trapped and maintain the erection. 

ED Pump Tension Ring - Size 3

$ 15.90 $ 19.30

Replacement Rings size 3, Reusable, Easy to Use Tension Bands or ED Rings are for patients who can achieve but not maintain an erection, or who suffer from premature ejaculation. Erectile dysfunction rings are also recommended by physicians in conjunction… read more

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Three Rules to Keep in Mind

• The constriction ring should stay on for no more than 30 minutes. Keeping it on longer can increase the risk of damage from low oxygen supply to the penis.

• Always use the included pressure-release valve. Pulling the vacuum too hard or too fast can cause bruising or small red dots (petechiae) to appear.

• Consult a healthcare provider if you also take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, a history of painful erections lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism), or other penile problems.

What Does the Research Say in Diabetic Men?

There are various studies that support the use of erection pumps. The 5th International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM) 2025 review of VEDs showed that erection pumps are effective in 70% to 82% of men with diabetes.

Older trials show similar positive results. One study from 1992 followed 44 men with diabetes using a VED and found that 75% were able to have enjoyable sex after 2 months. Another trial from 2014 showed that men with diabetes who used an erection pump alongside sildenafil (Viagra) experienced better erectile function scores than those on sildenafil alone. 

In addition, the 2018 American Urological Association ED Guideline includes the use of an erection pump as a potential option for men with ED. They classified it as a Moderate Recommendation with Grade C evidence. 

Who Is an ED Pump a Good Fit For?

ED pumps can be a good treatment option for different types of people, including those who:

• Have type 1 or type 2 diabetes with mild, moderate, or severe ED

• Have a partial or no response from sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra)

• Can't take PDE5 inhibitors because of nitrates for chest pain or other contraindications

• Want a one-time purchase rather than an ongoing monthly prescription cost

• Are doing post-prostatectomy penile rehabilitation (urologists often prescribe daily VED use)

• Prefer a non-drug option to avoid taking another medication on top of diabetes medications

An erectile dysfunction pump is probably not the best first-line option if you’re on warfarin or other blood thinners. You might also need to avoid erection pumps if you have severe Peyronie's disease, sickle cell disease, or any condition that puts you at high risk of priapism. 

In cases where a pump is not the best idea, an ED telehealth consult can help recommend a safer option, whether that's enclomiphene capsules for men with low testosterone or TriMix injections for treatment-resistant cases.

Manual vs. Battery vs. Combo: Which ED Pump Should You Buy?

You have various options when it comes to choosing an ED pump. At TDS, FDA-cleared pumps are available in the ED pumps collection, all from clinically established brands (Encore and Owen Mumford). Here's how they compare:

Encore Manual Vacuum Erection Pump

This erection pump can be a straightforward device for those with no experience. The manual squeeze-bulb head allows you to have more accurate control over the vacuum. This control may be preferred since you can quickly stop it if you experience any pain or discomfort. The Encore Revive cylinder has a built-in pressure-release valve and also comes with different ring sizesncore Battery-Powered Vacuum ED Pump

This pump has the same cylinder and ring system as the manual one, but it uses a battery pump head instead of a squeeze bulb. It’s also convenient to use with one hand, which may be helpful if you have arthritis or other grip problems. Older men with diabetes may find this feature useful. 

Encore Manual Vacuum Erection Pump Device

$ 111.39 $ 135.19

The Encore Vacuum Erection Device (VED) is a non-invasive and low cost option for treating impotence in men. Vacuum therapy is an ideal therapy for treating erectile dysfunction because of its high probability of a successful erection. The Encore vacuum… read more

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Encore Revive Manual + Battery Combo Kit

With this kit, you get both pump heads. You can use the manual head when you want fine control or the battery head when you don't. You can make a single purchase that covers every scenario.

Encore Revive Vacuum Therapy System Kit / Manual Combo Vacuum Encore ED Pump

$ 151.70 $ 184.10

Encore Revive is a trusted name in vacuum erection device system kits for men. When you purchase this Encore Revive Vacuum Therapy System Kit, you will receive everything you need to help achieve and maintain erections. This highly effective comprehensive… read more

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Owen Mumford Rapport Classic Vacuum Therapy ED Device

This device is British-engineered by one of the more well-known names in medical devices. The Rapport Classic has a trigger-like handle that many men may find more comfortable than a bulb. Some men appreciate this pump as a quieter, more discreet device. 

All four kits ship with various constriction ring sizes, lubricant, and a carrying case, and all qualify for free shipping on orders over $79.

Owen Mumford Rapport Classic Vacuum Therapy ED Device

$ 123.63 $ 140.04

Erectile Dysfunction is a recognized complication caused by diabetes. One of the first treatments to be considered is Vacuum Therapy which has a success rate of producing and maintaining an erection of between 84 - 95%*. Using an ED vacuum… read more

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How to Use Your ED Pump 

1. Trim pubic hair if needed, since it can break the cylinder seal.

2. Apply a water-based lubricant to the base of the penis and the rim of the cylinder.

3. Load the appropriately sized constriction ring onto the base of the cylinder.

4. Firmly press the cylinder against the body so that it forms an airtight seal.

5. Pump slowly for around 30 to 60 seconds. Stop if you feel any pinching or sharp pain.

6. Once erect, slide the ring off the base of the cylinder onto the base of your penis.

7. Release the vacuum and remove the cylinder.

8. Remove the ring within 30 minutes. Don't fall asleep with it on.

Most men are able to use the erection pump without any hiccups after a few practice sessions. If the first try doesn’t work, don’t be discouraged. It may take some getting used to.

ED Pumps vs. Pills vs. Injections

PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, etc.) are still the most common first-line treatment because they're easy to take. However, many men with diabetes may find they don’t respond as well to the medication or experience side effects like headache and flushing more often, especially if they also take blood pressure medications.

Erectile dysfunction pumps can be just as effective as PDE5 inhibitors without any systemic side effects. Injections like TriMix or alprostadil may be more effective in severe cases, but they involve using a small needle in the penis for each use. In any case, lifestyle changes are still recommended, no matter which treatment you start with. 

The Bottom Line

Erectile dysfunction is common in many men with diabetes, but there are still options to manage it. A vacuum erection device is an effective option for men who don’t respond to other treatments or prefer a drug-free option. Erection pumps have been shown to be especially effective for men with ED and diabetes, with studies showing they work in more than 80% of diabetic men. 

Browse the full ED pumps collection, or if you'd rather start with a clinician, a men's health telehealth consult can take about 10 minutes.

Sources

• High Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 145 Studies, Diabetic Medicine (2017)

• Vacuum Erectile Devices for Erectile Dysfunction: Recommendations from the 5th International Consultation on Sexual Medicine, Sexual Medicine Reviews (2025)

• Treatment of Diabetic Impotence with a Vacuum Device: Efficacy and Effects on Psychological Status, American Journal of Medicine (1992)

• Combined Sildenafil with Vacuum Erection Device Therapy in the Management of Diabetic Men with Erectile Dysfunction After Failure of First-Line Sildenafil Monotherapy, International Journal of Urology (2014)

• Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline, Journal of Urology (2018)

• Prostatectomy, Mayo Clinic

• EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health — Management of Erectile Dysfunction, European Association of Urology

• Arthritis of the Hand, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo)

• Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors, StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf