Safety is one of the primary concerns for anyone looking to buy a penis pump. Although a penis pump is safe, the safety depends on the quality of the pump, how it is used, and the reason for its use. Penis pumps are safe for most men. The key is correct usage practices. For instance, it’s important to apply lubrication to the base of the penis before every use. Likewise, follow the usage directions that come with the specific device.

It’s also important to note, where you get the penis pump from can play a factor in effectiveness. For instance, it’s possible to buy penis pumps from sex toy stores. These don’t have approval from the FDA and can cause injury if not used properly. Second, your risks of bleeding increase if you’re taking blood thinners. This applies to both over-the-counter and prescription medication.

There are also penis pumps you can get through a doctor’s prescription. They are FDA-approved medical devices. Still, these can lead to injury if the patient doesn’t use them correctly. Some side effects include:

• Numbness
• Bruising or pain
• The appearance of petechiae, i.e. tiny red dots
• Feelings of trapped semen

Additional Safety Measures to Improve Penis Pump Safety

Other simple measures to improve the safety of penis pumps include:

• Shaving pubic hair to avoid entanglement with the constrictor ring.
• Removing the constrictor ring within 30 minutes of erection initiation to prevent blood clotting.
• Seeking the advice of a qualified medical professional before use. Seeing a medical professional is especially important for patients with secondary medical conditions.

Buying the Right Penis Pump

Penis pumps can be designed without FDA approval and sold over the counter freely. However, the fact that you can buy a penis pump in any drugstore does not mean you should buy one willy-nilly. Instead, buy an FDA-approved penis pump that fits your penis to avoid any injuries. FDA-approved penis pumps are required to meet set quality and safety standards. For example, FDA-approved pumps must have a manual safety mechanism to release penile pressure from the device during emergencies. The manufacturers must also make the parts of the pump that come in contact with the skin soft and pliable.

The chosen penis pump should also come with different sizes of constriction rings. An overly tight constriction ring causes skin numbing, tingling, and discoloration. Whenever you experience the above symptoms, a good penis pump gives you the option to change over to a larger constriction ring.