I started PE somewhat seriously a few months ago. I hadn’t found the subreddit yet and wasn’t even aware there was a serious community behind this “hobby”.
I’ve had a pump for a while, but wasn’t aware of cylinder sizing until I found the subreddit. I never really used it and found even 5hg to be very uncomfortable. I even tried a digital pump, but again, the cylinder was sized incorrectly and sizes weren’t even an option.
I started off with a Phallosan Forte because of an ad I saw. To be honest, I actually kind of like it. It was kind of a pain and I had to swap parts around to make it work for me. I stopped using their sleeves and went with softer silicone ones, and ditched their glans caps. I know better now but I actually slept with it on almost every night. After a few weeks I observed a measured improvement, but I’d assume it was EQ gains mostly and maybe better pliability of the tendon or whatever.
I also realized that I had a very tight / overactive pelvic floor and it was causing EQ strain. Combined with an old testicle injury my left nut would pull up into my abdomen when I flexed my pelvic floor. This has since improved. I think due to better erections with less effort and less masturbation.
I upgraded the Phallosan Forte to the Plus+ extender, but I fucking HATE that thing. It is a major pain in the ass. The base barely fits over my member, and you have to put it on first before you apply the vac cup and sleeve. The extender arms are spring loaded with an adjustable preload screw(s) that tend to back out of the base. To modify the length, you have to add or subtract spacers before you install the device. This sucks because upon installation I was towards the maximum of the base configuration. But after about 30 minutes I would need the longer spacers to achieve desirable tension. So long story short; fuck that thing.
I bought the Apex Extender but I have not had a chance to use it yet. I have hight hopes because all adjustments can be made while wearing.
Anyway, on to my actual current routine and my equipment specifics.
I dry pump. I use a Leluv pump with gauge. No sleeve or base pad. Thanks to the guide on the subreddit, I was able to find an appropriately sized cylinder. I’m using a 1.75”. I also bought a 1.50” at the time just in case but it is immediately too small and feels as if it is crushing me. By the end of my “set”, the 1.75” is 95-100% packed. I also found a thick-walled 1.90” but I’m not ready for that yet. I did measure my cylinder and found that the markings are inaccurate. I added a band of tape at 7 inches as a point of reference. I don’t really measure. Mostly because I don’t like to and my findings are very inconsistent. The tape on the cylinder at 7” is a rough benchmark and a current goal.
I start by entering fully erect, using coconut oil as lube. It’s my favorite thus far. I did try almond oil, but I don’t like its lubricity. My first “rep” is 5 minutes at 5hg. I read that this mimics a 100% EQ erection and I use my size at the end if the 5 minutes as a baseline.
After the 5 minutes, I bleed pressure to 1 hg, maintain full EQ, and pump up to 7hg. I repeat these steps at this pressure for 3-4 “reps” of 2-3 minutes each.
I continue with 2-3 minute reps, adding a little pressure each time until I max out at 10hg. I only do 2 or 3 reps at 10hg because I’m usually pretty fatigued and sometimes somewhat sore. It’s during the 9-10hg reps where I fully pack the cylinder.
I can manage 2, maybe 3 days in a row of this before I experience soreness. I’d like to maintain 6 days straight a week for consistency and hopefully permanent gains, but the soreness does worry me a little. I’ve been doing this routine for a couple of months or so.
I welcome any insight or critiques on my routine. I know everyone is a little different, I just want to be efficient and consistent.
Should I try to maintain consistency despite the soreness? Maybe lower my max pressure to maybe 8-9hg for awhile? I do experience edema occasionally, but not every session. I don’t care about edema from an aesthetic perspective.
I am currently on TRT and daily 5mg Cialis, along with Vigor and a multi that’s supposed to also help with circulation, etc.
