When a man has erectile dysfunction (ED), he cannot achieve or maintain a firm erection. ED is also called "impotence." About one in every ten men has ED or some degree of impotence.
Most ED has a physical cause. The treatment of diseases such as diabetes or prostate cancer, physical injury, and the side effects of drugs can reduce or prevent blood flow and nerve impulses to the penis. Only about 10% of impotence has a psychological cause.Almost all ED can be treated. Most treatments involve improving blood flow to the penis. Among them is the vacuum erection device.
How a vacuum erection device works
The device has three main parts:A plastic cylinder that the man places his penis into.
A pump that draws air from the cylinder and creates a vacuum. The pump may be hand or battery operated. Reduced air pressure within the cylinder allows increased blood flow to the penis, causing an erection.One or more tension rings. These rings are placed on the base of the penis after vacuum erection is created. They help maintain the erection by reducing blood flow out of the penis.A vacuum erection device will generate an erection that lasts for up to 30 minutes aided by the tension ring.
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Who should use a vacuum erection device?
A vacuum erection device can be an alternative for the 30-40% of men who commonly fail with Viagra?
Men who have tried penile injection therapy or suppositories without success, or find these treatments painful or difficult, also are candidates.
The best treatment for erectile dysfunction, however, depends on many things.
These include a man's health and personal and physical tolerance for the treatment. Work with your doctor (usually aurologist specializing in the treatment of ED) and your partner to determine the best treatment.

Who should not use a vacuum device?
A vacuum erection device may not be the best treatment for men with sickle cell anemia, leukemia or blood clotting problems.
Some men who experience curvature of the penis (Peyronie's Disease) may have difficulty using a vacuum erection device, or may even experience pain with this treatment.
Also, using a vacuum erection device requires some manual dexterity and average hand strength.

Effectiveness of the vacuum erection device

Various studies and surveys show that vacuum erection devices can be an effective ED therapy. Some report high satisfaction rates. Sexual partners also appear to be satisfied.
While vacuum erection devices are effective at producing an erection, for some they have a significant drawback: the device may dampen or extinguish sexual spontaneity. Maintaining the "mood" can be difficult as the pump does its work.
Vacuum therapy has the fewest reported injuries of physical ED therapies.
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Advantages of the vacuum erection device

A vacuum erection device is a non-surgical treatment.

A vacuum erection device is economical. The cost is approximately $100-450.

 No prescription is needed unless the man applies for medical reimbursement.
Disadvantages of the vacuum erection device

It may take some time to learn to use the vacuum erection device. Some men have reported a learning period of up to two weeks.
Some side effects are possible:

Reddish pinpoint-size dots may appear on the surface of the penis when negative pressure is applied too rapidly.

Some bruising may occur if the penis is held under pressure too long.

A cold glans (penis tip) is common and uncomfortable, as the device and tension rings limit circulation. These conditions are not painful or serious and can be solved by not using the pump for a short period.

The vacuum erection device can be cumbersome to use and interfere with romantic spontaneity. Lack of spontaneity bothers many men and their partners. For that reason, a vacuum erection device probably is best suited to a man in a stable relationship with a supportive sexual partner.
The device may impair ejaculation. This can cause some discomfort and
embarrassment.
The tension ring can be painful to apply around the base of the penis.
真空负压吸引装置是如何恢复阳痿患者性功能的治疗阳痿的方法很多，如果您不愿去医院进行医治，可采用真空负压吸引装置来帮助阳痿患者恢复性功能。真空负压吸引装置又叫男用助复器，是较时行的阳痿治疗工具。
真空负压吸引装置是利用真空负压的原理，使阴茎周围的血液被负压吸引到阴茎海绵体内，促使阴茎增大并勃起，据测定，当负压达到-23.3kPa至-50.7kPa时，阴茎可最大速度的勃起。
但是在实际运用中，真空负压装置的效果并不理想。许多病人用此装置时，阴茎的确可达到一定的勃起，但离开此装置，阴茎又会立即软缩。也有人在治疗中不能很好地勃起，或仅是阴茎增大，呈半软半硬的状态。因此，还必须在此装置治疗后阴茎萎软之前，在阴茎根部扎上一根橡皮圈以减少阴茎的血液回流，在这种情况下性交，男方会感到不适，也会妨碍射精，影响性高潮质量。因此，真空负压吸引装置只是治疗阳痿的辅助装置，对其期望值不宜太高。
凡有严重心血管疾病，严重包茎或包皮过长、血栓性病变，阴茎局部炎症、性病等，禁止使用真空负压装置治疗。
使用真空负压装置治疗要适当掌握负压，否则易产生阴茎瘀血、疼痛、包皮水肿等并发症。但是若用真空负压吸引装置导致射精困难、逆行射精，应改用其他治疗方法。

真空勃起装置指示图：