You slip a tube over your penis. A simple pump then creates a vacuum that pulls blood into your penis. This causes an erection. You then put a tension ring around the base of your penis to hold in the blood. You then remove the tube. The tension ring must not stay on for more than 30 minutes.

Risks and complications may include pain in your penis or scrotum. The penis may also feel cool or change color during your erection.

You insert the end of a small applicator into your urethra to place a tiny, soft medicine  pellet. The medicine is absorbed into your penis. The drugs relax blood vessels so they can fill with blood. Within about 10 minutes, your penis can become rigid enough for sexual intercourse. To keep your erection, you may need to use a tension ring.

Risks and complications may include pain and irritation of your urethra. Get medical help right away if you have an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours.

You inject a special drug into your penis. The drug relaxes blood vessels so they can fill with blood. Within about 10 minutes, your penis can become rigid enough for sexual intercourse. A tension ring is not needed to maintain your erection. Your doctor can explain the injection process to you.

Risks and complications may include pain, bleeding, bruising, or scarring. Get medical help right away if you have an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours.

A tension ring is usually used along with another type of treatment. Once enough blood has flowed into your penis to cause an erection, the tension ring will keep the blood from flowing out again. This maintains the erection. The ring must not stay on for more than 30 minutes. A tension ring is also called a constriction ring or venous flow controller.

Risks and complications may include pinched, bruised, or irritated skin. If you have an allergic reaction to latex rings, try a silicone ring.