Penis pumps have moved from whispered-about bedroom devices to a surprisingly mainstream men’s health topic.
Playboy recently explored the trend in “The Penis Pump Goes Mainstream”, featuring Dr. Judson Brandeis, a board-certified urologist and men’s sexual health specialist in San Ramon, California, to explain what these devices actually do.
Known medically as vacuum erection devices, or VEDs, penis pumps are not new. Physicians have used them for decades to help some men achieve erections and as part of penile rehabilitation.
But increased mainstream attention has created an important question:
Can a penis pump actually improve erectile function or increase penis size?
The answer depends heavily on how the device is being used.
And for men specifically interested in increasing length and girth, Dr. Brandeis has taken vacuum therapy several steps further by incorporating it into the P-Long Protocol, a structured, physician-supervised penile enhancement program developed and clinically studied by Dr. Brandeis.
What Is a Penis Pump?
A penis pump is a device that places a cylinder around the penis and creates negative pressure inside the chamber.
That vacuum draws blood into the erectile tissue, causing the penis to become engorged.
When a vacuum erection device is being used to help create an erection for sexual activity, a constriction ring may be placed around the base of the penis to temporarily help retain blood after the pump is removed.
It sounds simple, but the physiology is important.
As Dr. Brandeis explained to Playboy, a vacuum device pulls blood into the penis through negative pressure. It does not create the same increase in arterial blood flow that occurs during a natural erection.
That is one reason an erection created with a vacuum device can diminish quickly after the vacuum is released unless a constriction ring is being used.
Why Are Penis Pumps Becoming Popular Again?
Vacuum erection devices have traditionally been associated with erectile dysfunction, particularly for men who cannot take or do not respond adequately to medications.
Today, however, interest extends well beyond ED.
Men are increasingly searching for penis pumps for:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Penile rehabilitation
- Improving penile tissue health
- Maintaining erectile tissue after prostate treatment
- Increasing temporary fullness
- Penile stretching
- Male enhancement
- Increasing penis girth
- Increasing penis length
Mainstream media exposure, social media, podcasts and the rapidly growing male wellness industry have helped move these devices out of the shadows.
But increased popularity has also generated plenty of misinformation.
Do Penis Pumps Work for Erectile Dysfunction?
A vacuum erection device can help some men with erectile dysfunction produce an erection mechanically.
The vacuum creates negative pressure around the penis, drawing blood into the erectile tissue.
Vacuum devices can be particularly useful for certain men after prostate cancer treatment or in combination with other erectile dysfunction treatments.
At BrandeisMD, Dr. Brandeis considers vacuum therapy one potential component of a broader sexual-health strategy rather than an automatic replacement for ED medication or other treatment.
Learn more about Vacuum Erection Devices at BrandeisMD.
Dr. Brandeis’s Advice to Playboy: Think Beyond the Erection
The Playboy feature also highlighted another use for vacuum therapy: maintaining penile tissue health as men age.
Dr. Brandeis discussed using a pump for a limited period to stretch penile tissue and bring oxygenated blood and nutrients into the penis, particularly for older men.
This is an important distinction.
There is a difference between using a vacuum device immediately before sex and using carefully controlled vacuum therapy as part of a structured penile-health program.
Technique matters.
Pressure matters.
Duration matters.
And more is definitely not always better.
Can You Overuse a Penis Pump?
Yes.
Using excessive vacuum pressure can injure delicate blood vessels and capillaries.
Dr. Brandeis specifically warned Playboy that excessive pressure can rupture small blood vessels, resulting in significant purple discoloration and bruising.
That is why buying a random pump online and applying as much pressure as possible is not a medically sound strategy.
A penis pump should not hurt.
Men who experience pain, significant bruising, numbness, bleeding or other unexpected symptoms should stop using the device and seek medical guidance.
Medical-grade devices and proper education are especially important for men using vacuum therapy regularly.
Can a Penis Pump Permanently Make Your Penis Bigger?
This is where the discussion becomes more complicated.
A penis may temporarily appear larger or fuller immediately after vacuum use because additional blood has been drawn into the erectile tissue.
That is not the same as demonstrating permanent anatomical growth.
Using a pump by itself should therefore not be confused with a clinically studied penile enlargement protocol.
However, researchers have investigated whether vacuum therapy combined with other methods can produce more meaningful changes in penile tissue over time.
That research led Dr. Brandeis to develop the P-Long Protocol.
What Is the P-Long Protocol?
P-Long is a physician-supervised, non-surgical penile enhancement protocol developed by Dr. Judson Brandeis.
Instead of relying on a penis pump alone, P-Long combines several complementary approaches intended to affect penile length, girth, tissue health and erectile function.
The protocol studied by Dr. Brandeis combines:
1. Vacuum Therapy
Controlled vacuum therapy provides repeated expansion of penile tissue and is used as the girth-enhancement component of the protocol.
2. Penile Traction
The P-Long study used the RestoreX traction device to provide controlled mechanical stretching intended to increase penile length.
3. Platelet-Rich Plasma
PRP is prepared from the patient’s own blood and administered into the erectile tissue under medical supervision.
4. Nitric Oxide Support
The research protocol also incorporated nutritional supplementation designed to support nitric oxide pathways and vascular smooth-muscle function.
The important point is that P-Long is a complete protocol.
It is not simply a penis pump with a different name.
Learn more about the complete P-Long Protocol.
Is P-Long Clinically Proven?
P-Long is the first urologist-developed combination protocol clinically studied specifically for increasing both erect penile length and girth without surgery or synthetic fillers.
Dr. Brandeis and his research collaborators evaluated the P-Long Protocol in healthy men using a six-month combination of penile traction, controlled vacuum therapy, PRP and nitric oxide-boosting supplementation.
The published study reported statistically significant increases from baseline after six months.
Among the analyzed participants:
Average erect length increased approximately 0.8 inches.
Average circumference increased approximately 0.47 inches.
Participants also reported improvement in erectile function, and no adverse events were reported during the study.
These are averages from the study population, not guaranteed individual outcomes.
The researchers also emphasized that the study was non-randomized, did not include a control group, and requires further external validation.
That distinction is important because responsible male enhancement should be based on actual measurements and clinical research, not exaggerated promises.
P-Long vs. Using a Penis Pump Alone
This is perhaps the most important takeaway for men who discovered vacuum devices through the Playboy article.
A penis pump and P-Long are not equivalent.
A vacuum device alone primarily creates negative pressure that draws blood into penile tissue.
P-Long uses controlled vacuum therapy as only one part of a multimodal protocol.
The approach combines different mechanical and biological strategies:
Traction → length
Vacuum therapy → tissue expansion and girth
PRP → regenerative growth factors
Nitric oxide support → vascular function
Instead of expecting one device to accomplish everything, P-Long was designed to combine therapies that target different aspects of penile tissue and function.
Natural Penis Enlargement vs. Fillers and Surgery
Men searching for ways to increase penis size typically encounter several categories of treatment.
Penile Fillers
Injectable fillers may increase girth, but they introduce material into penile tissue and generally do not meaningfully increase erect penile length.
Depending on the filler, results may also require future maintenance.
Penile Surgery
Certain surgical procedures and implants can alter penile dimensions, but surgery introduces additional risks, recovery requirements and potential complications.
Traction Devices
Penile traction gradually places mechanical tension on tissue. Traction has clinical applications including treatment of penile shortening and Peyronie’s disease and forms the length-focused component of P-Long.
Vacuum Devices
Pumps expand tissue through negative pressure and can assist with erections, rehabilitation and tissue expansion when used appropriately.
P-Long
P-Long combines multiple approaches into one physician-supervised protocol without relying on synthetic penile fillers or cosmetic enlargement surgery.
For men specifically seeking non-surgical penis enlargement, that difference is significant.
Can P-Long Increase Both Length and Girth?
That was the primary objective of the P-Long research.
After six months, the published study found increases in both measurements compared with baseline.
Mean erect penile length increased by approximately 0.805 inches, while mean circumference increased by approximately 0.469 inches.
The research also found that increases occurred progressively across the six-month treatment period rather than appearing immediately.
This is why P-Long should not be viewed as a quick-fix enhancement treatment.
It requires consistency and commitment to the complete protocol.
Who Developed P-Long?
The P-Long Protocol was developed by Dr. Judson Brandeis, a board-certified urologist, clinical researcher and men’s sexual medicine specialist.
Dr. Brandeis practices at BrandeisMD in San Ramon, California, where his work focuses heavily on sexual medicine, erectile dysfunction, regenerative medicine and men’s health research.
His research team designed the P-Long study to answer a question that has generated enormous consumer demand but historically limited high-quality clinical research:
Can the penis be increased in both length and girth without cosmetic surgery or synthetic fillers?
The published P-Long study provided encouraging clinical evidence that a combination approach can produce measurable changes in both.
Explore the science behind P-Long.
What Men Should Know Before Trying a Penis Pump
The mainstream popularity of penis pumps is not necessarily a bad thing.
Vacuum erection devices are legitimate medical tools.
But they need to be used correctly.
Before beginning regular vacuum therapy, particularly if your objective is erectile rehabilitation or penile enhancement, consider discussing it with a physician experienced in male sexual medicine.
This becomes especially important if you:
- Have erectile dysfunction
- Take blood-thinning medications
- Bruise easily
- Have Peyronie’s disease or penile curvature
- Have undergone prostate surgery
- Have decreased penile sensation
- Are trying to increase penile size
- Plan to use a pump frequently
- Experience pain or significant discoloration while pumping
The goal should be controlled tissue stimulation, not maximum pressure.
Penis Pumps, Erectile Dysfunction and Penile Enlargement in San Ramon
Men in San Ramon and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area have access to specialized evaluation through BrandeisMD.
Dr. Brandeis provides treatment and education involving:
- Vacuum erection devices
- Erectile dysfunction evaluation and treatment
- Penile traction
- PRP
- Erectile rehabilitation
- P-Long penile enhancement
- Non-surgical male enhancement
- Sexual medicine
Rather than experimenting with unregulated devices or online enlargement claims, patients can receive individualized guidance from a board-certified urologist who has directly conducted research in this field.
The Bottom Line: Penis Pumps Have a Place, but the Protocol Matters
Playboy’s decision to examine penis pumps reflects something urologists have known for years:
Vacuum erection devices are real medical tools, not simply novelty sex products.
They can help some men produce erections, support penile rehabilitation and provide controlled tissue expansion when used properly.
But a penis pump alone should not be confused with a complete penile enhancement program.
For men specifically interested in increasing penile length and girth without cosmetic surgery or synthetic fillers, the P-Long Protocol developed by Dr. Judson Brandeis combines vacuum therapy with traction, PRP and vascular support in a clinically studied six-month program.
The published research demonstrated measurable increases in both erect length and circumference, although individual outcomes vary and additional independent research is warranted.
That is a far more meaningful standard than before-and-after photos, anonymous testimonials or internet promises.
Learn More About P-Long
Interested in a science-based approach to non-surgical penile enhancement?
Visit P-Long.com to learn about the P-Long Protocol, clinical research and participating physicians.
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Judson Brandeis
BrandeisMD
Dr. Judson Brandeis, Board-Certified Urologist
100 Park Place, Suite 140
San Ramon, CA 94583
925-255-7867
Request a private consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do penis pumps really work?
Vacuum erection devices can mechanically draw blood into the penis and help some men achieve an erection. Their usefulness depends on the objective, the device and proper technique.
Is a penis pump the same as a vacuum erection device?
Yes. “Vacuum erection device,” or VED, is the medical term commonly used for devices often called penis pumps.
Can a penis pump permanently increase penis size?
Temporary expansion after pumping should not be confused with permanent growth. A vacuum device used alone does not have the same clinical evidence as a structured combination protocol designed and studied for penile enhancement.
What is P-Long?
P-Long is a physician-supervised penile enhancement protocol developed by Dr. Judson Brandeis. The studied protocol combines controlled vacuum therapy, penile traction, PRP and nitric oxide-supporting supplementation over six months.
How much growth was reported in the P-Long study?
After six months, the published P-Long research reported a mean increase of approximately 0.805 inches in erect length and 0.469 inches in circumference among analyzed participants. Individual results vary.
Is P-Long surgery?
No. P-Long does not rely on cosmetic penile surgery, an implant or injections of synthetic filler.
Who invented P-Long?
The protocol and clinical research were led by Dr. Judson Brandeis, a board-certified urologist and clinical researcher practicing in San Ramon, California.
Where can I get P-Long?
P-Long is available through trained providers. Patients can visit P-Long.com to learn about the protocol and locate participating physicians. Dr. Judson Brandeis also provides P-Long through his San Ramon men’s health practice.
Can P-Long improve erectile function?
Participants in the published P-Long study reported improved subjective erectile function. The study was not randomized or controlled, however, so additional research is needed to validate these findings.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute individualized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Vacuum devices and penile enhancement treatments may not be appropriate for every patient. Results vary. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning treatment.
