Penis pumps, surgery and implants

If medications don't work or aren't right for you, a different type of treatment might help. Other treatments include:

• Penis pump. This also is called a vacuum erection device. It's a hollow tube with a hand-powered or battery-powered pump. The tube is placed over the penis. Then the pump is used to suck out the air inside the tube. This creates a vacuum that pulls blood into the penis.

  Once you get an erection, you slip an elastic ring or band around the base of your penis. This helps hold in the blood and keeps the penis firm for up to 30 minutes. You then remove the vacuum device.

  The erection often lasts long enough for a couple to have sex. You remove the tension ring after you have sex. Bruising of the penis can be a side effect. Ejaculation will be restricted by the ring or band. Your penis might feel cold to the touch.

  If a penis pump sounds like a good option, ask your care team to recommend a specific model that will work well for you.

• Penile implants. This treatment involves surgery to place devices into both sides of the penis. There are two main types of implants. One type uses rods that you can inflate. These let you control when and how long you have an erection. Another type of implant uses semirigid rods, which often are made of silicone. They keep the penis firm but bendable.

  Often, penile implants aren't recommended until other methods have been tried first. Implants have a high degree of satisfaction among people who have tried other treatments that haven't worked. As with any surgery, there's a risk of complications, such as infection. And if a part of the device stops working, you'll likely need more surgery to replace it.

• Blood vessel surgery. Rarely, erectile dysfunction is treated by bypassing arteries that have trouble bringing enough blood to the penis. This surgery is recommended for only a small percentage of people with ED. In general, you need to be younger than 55, a nonsmoker and in otherwise good health.