The use of a penis pump is one of the most common ways men seek to obtain a larger penis. A penis pump is a relatively simple device with a hollow tube where you can put your penis. It has a handle which draws blood into the penis by creating a vacuum. The blood then gets caught in the penis by the use of a rubber ring located around the base. The ring allows your penis to maintain its erection so you can have sex without fear of losing the erection. By creating a vacuum-type seal around the penis and by pulling blood to the surface, it engorges your member and makes it appear larger. The sensations can be pleasant at first, but your penis will in the end return to its original size. These pumps are on the whole used by men who suffer from chronic insulin dependent diabetes or circulatory problems. Men afflicted with these conditions have such poor blood circulation due to their sugar metabolism that they can't get enough blood flowing into the penis. With the suction created by the pump, the penis's skin and underlying tissues are being stretched. The ring clamps off the blood flow and as a result traps the blood in the penis, causing it to appear thicker and capable of maintaining an erection. With the clamp securely fastened, men can then have sex with their partners. However, on removing the clamp, the erection disappears. Penis pumps give the greatest results when the penis is already hard or when you still have not achieved a full erection. The enlargement effect however does not last long and will disappear quickly once pumping ceases or if you remove the ring that keeps the blood pumped into the penis. Having said all this, penis pumps do not cause your penis to grow; they can only assist you in achieving fuller and harder erections temporarily. Despite the obvious benefit one gains from using a penis pump, many men and their partners don't like the device because the erection it produces is not "normal." Some pump users complain that their penis feels numb or that it becomes discolored, misshapen, and cold to the touch. Other couples are uneasy about the interruption of intimacy it brings to lovemaking. Also, some men find that the constriction ring at the base of the penis causes mild discomfort upon ejaculation. Penis pumps can be dangerous if used improperly. Take caution when using one and ensure that whatever pump you use has a reliable pressure gauge and that you follow the instructions closely. Furthermore, using the wrong kind of vacuum pump and using it too often can burst blood vessels in the penis, peel skin, cause general pain, and soreness. They also tend to thin out the penis, making it very weak and reducing the duration of erections. There are some cases of penis pumps even deforming the penis. Some men have found out that after using a penis pump for a period of time, the only way they would be able to obtain an erection is with the pump. The major problems associated with penis pumps are: 1. The results are rarely permanent since you're simply sucking blood into your penis. The penis is not actually strengthened nor does it increase in length or girth. 2. You run the risk of getting lymph blisters on the glands of your penis from the device that you're putting over it. 3. You take the risk of bleeding from ruptured capillaries. Sucking a lot of blood abruptly into your penis can rupture some penile blood vessels. 4. You run the risk of temporary impotence as a consequence of forcing blood to your penis for a period of time. Although pumps do work temporarily (usually for about half an hour) this is unsuitable for spontaneous occasions and these devices have been known to leave scars, bruises and in some cases gangrene, causing much pain to the penis. Pumps work by placing a tube over your penis and then pumping the air out of the tube. This temporarily swells the penis, but does not increase the blood capacity in the cells of the penis, which is crucial in achieving permanent size gains. After learning all of these disadvantages, you need to think twice before you consider using a penis pump to help you sustain an erection. Your best bet to a full-sized penis would be to exercise and keep your blood flowing healthily.