r/ProstateCancer • u/Prestigious_Show5274 • 2d ago
Question VED pump users
Curious if anyone has gotten these to work for actual sex? I bought the vacurect recently and it seems to work great for rehab but not sure how it would work for sex. Everything pumps up great but as soon as you handle "it" a bit, it loses the pump. Scared to try too small of a ring. Didn't see much guidance how to get the ring off. When I tried a smaller ring the skin bunched up trying to pull it off, made me panic a little. So, if anyone has good VED stories curious what brand. For what its worth i'm 56yrs old 7 weeks post ralp.
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u/Cool-Service-771 2d ago
I believe there are rings with handles that make for easier positioning and removal
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u/Frosty-Growth-2664 2d ago
I know of that pump, but it's not one I've used and I don't know what rings it comes with.
The pump most commonly supplied by the NHS in the UK is the SOMAerect Response II, which in the UK at least, comes with a selection of rings, and also includes a clinic session where they show you how to use it.
The most useful rings with the SOMA are the Surefit clear silicone rings, which have a couple of release tabs. To take the rings off, you grab the tabs and pull the ring open, and hold it open (get a finger inside on each side if that's easier). Then you wait for the blood to drain from the penis and it to go flaccid before you actually take the ring off. Trying to pull a ring off over an erect penis is likely to do some serious damage. It was this ring they demoed on us in the clinic session. Part of that included using two of these rings together if necessary - the pump only comes with one so you need a spare pack. They are rated for about 40 uses and will eventually snap, so you'll need spares if you use them. They come in 3 sizes, X, Y, and Z (the pump comes with a single Y size). These rings should not be loaded on the pump with the loading cone - that can scratch the silicone surface, and cause them to snap much sooner.
The SOMAerect Response II also came with some harder white plastic rings, some of which have tear cut marks to take them off (i.e. the ring is destroyed to get it off). I have never dared to try those.
I didn't try using the pump for sex and only tried the rings a few times. Most people don't find them great for this although some do, but using them for penile rehab is very effective.
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u/Paytheman74 2d ago
I’m the same really. Pump is fantastic for physio but not the best for sex. Going to try the injection in the next couple of weeks.
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u/Paytheman74 2d ago
I’m the same really. Pump is fantastic for physio but not the best for sex. Going to try the injection in the next couple of weeks.
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u/ChillWarrior801 2d ago
The vacurect manufacturer offers 15 different silicone ring sizes, iirc, but only bundles five medium sizes with the pump. You can buy the size you need separately on the web site.
Once I got the sizing figured out, Mr. Happy stood tall and proud to do the deed.
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u/CommercialHope6883 2d ago
For me a smaller ring helped. With the handles.
Removal was tough at first. Takes time. Pull the handles out. Let the erection go down a bit. Lube it up. Move it slowly out a bit. Repeat.
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u/Economy_Version9334 1d ago
I’ve used Vacurect many times. If the band you use is too large, it won’t hold a sufficient erection. Go as small as you need to, barring discomfort. This is why they tell you not to use more than 30 minutes at a time. Use additional lube for removal. Takes some practice to use properly. Orgasm feels just as good, but feels a bit different getting there. If you have liquid at orgasm, it typically doesn’t exit until you remove the band. I’ve just started intra cavernosal injections. Doc gave me my first one. I did my own for the first time today. Was surprised that it wasn’t bad at all. Just pull back a little bit on the plunger before you inject, but after you’ve pierced the skin. If you see a little bit of blood it means you’re in the target zone. I’m 71 and 1.5 yrs out from prostate cancer IMRT/ADT. So thankful to have these modern ways to extend access to one of life’s great pleasures. The pde5i meds helped with erections but never gave the WOW factor. Lucky me, the 25 unit starting dose gives me a firm erection that lasts for an hour and can be revived for an additional hour if we wanted it. Wife is 73. 30-45 minutes is generally a gracious plenty for us both! I intend to chart my injections for as long as I think it’s a good idea for medical reference. My PSAs were .02 one month after ADT cessation, then .44 six months later, then 1.22 most recently (6 months later). Too big a jump to move to 1 year protocol. Back to 3 month protocol. If I get much jump at all, I’ll have another PSMA PET scan and so forth.
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u/flotownq 1d ago
I’m a year out from ralp, 51 years old. Had non-nerve sparing so no chance of natural erections. Been using the Vacurect and it def took some time to figure out the best method. I was scared to death to use the smaller rings but finally worked down the line and found that number 7 is my go to. It takes a good bit of work to get off. Use more lube and take your time but that one will hold up pretty well.
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u/Polymath6301 2d ago
I use and recommend the Vacurect. It’s made our sex better than before because there is no performance anxiety. Always works and takes less than 60 seconds to use.
But! You have to test with various ring sizes, and the ring that maintains the erection may be much smaller than you think. Mine is certainly so, even though the pump body is slightly too small for me.
You may worry that the ring won’t come off, but it does! Obviously some lube (not too much), and ensure when pumping up that it’s where you want it (always do that part yourself!). Keep practising and you’ll make it work (or just ask for more advice…).