Vacuum pump (SOMAcorrect) Clinical Evidence

Clinical governance statement

All treatments undertaken by MansMatters (Shockwave Clinics Ltd) are subject to clinical review before they are introduced into practice and at regular intervals thereafter. This review considers the safety profile of each intervention, including contraindications and adverse effects as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions for use or the Summary of Product Characteristics; the regulatory status of each medical device and medicinal product; the position of current UK and European clinical guidance, including the European Association of Urology (EAU), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS); the qualifications and scope of practice of the treating clinicians; the stage and severity of the condition being treated; and the requirements for informed consent. Each patient is assessed individually, and treatment is offered only where it is clinically appropriate.

The basis of clinical evidence

Clinical evidence is derived from several sources, which carry different weight. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses pool the results of multiple studies and provide the highest level of evidence. Randomised controlled trials, including sham-controlled trials, compare a treatment against a control group under defined conditions. Prospective and retrospective cohort studies, published in peer-reviewed journals, describe outcomes in defined groups of patients over time, and the replication of results by independent research groups in different countries strengthens confidence in a finding. Laboratory and mechanistic studies explain how a treatment is thought to act. In-clinic observational studies and structured outcome audits record the results achieved in routine practice and contribute to the developing evidence base, particularly for newer and combined treatments. Long-term follow-up establishes the durability of results and the safety of a treatment over time.

The evidence relevant to this treatment is summarised below. All citations are hyperlinked to the original source.

Is it safe?

The SOMAcorrect is a UK-made, CE-marked medical device designed specifically for Peyronie’s disease. Vacuum therapy is safe when used correctly, but over-pumping, using it for too long or using the wrong technique can cause bruising, discomfort or damage. That is why every patient receives a full fitting and one-to-one training in clinic, covering the right pressure, how long and how often to use it, and how to use it safely at home. As set out in the manufacturer’s manual, it isn’t suitable if you have sickle cell anaemia, an uncontrolled bleeding or clotting disorder, a history of priapism (prolonged erections), or open sores in the area, and you should tell us if you take blood-thinning medication. A constriction ring should never be left on for more than 30 minutes (International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2025).

What the evidence shows

Vacuum therapy is recommended in European Association of Urology guidelines to help reduce penile curvature, on its own or as part of a combined approach. A 2025 international expert review found that men who used a vacuum device improved by an average of 23 degrees in curvature, compared with 3.6 degrees in men who did not, and in one UK study over a third of men gained more than 0.5 cm in length (Wang et al. 2025). In a Danish randomised trial, men using a vacuum pump with stretching exercises improved by an average of 6.6 degrees over six months (Mortensen et al. 2021). Most studies are small, but the results consistently support vacuum therapy, which is why it is a core part of our programme.

Guidelines and regulation

Vacuum therapy is recommended for penile curvature in European Association of Urology guidelines, and the British Association of Urological Surgeons advises that regular use of a vacuum device can help correct some of the curvature over three to six months. The SOMAcorrect is a UK-made, CE-marked medical device designed specifically for Peyronie’s disease, and our clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission.

Independent research

Vacuum therapy for Peyronie’s disease has been studied by independent hospital teams in London (Raheem et al. 2010) and Denmark (Mortensen et al. 2021), and the evidence has been reviewed by an international panel of specialists, including UK experts, for the International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (Wang et al. 2025). Results across these groups consistently show improvement in curvature.

How vacuum therapy compares

In published studies, vacuum therapy improved curvature by an average of between 6.6 degrees (Mortensen et al. 2021) and 23 degrees (Wang et al. 2025), comparable to the improvement of around 15 degrees seen with traction devices (EAU guidelines). It also works well alongside other treatments: combined with injection therapy, curvature improved by an average of 17 degrees (Wang et al. 2025). That is why we combine vacuum therapy with Focused Shockwave Therapy (fSWT), which helps with pain, as part of our programme.

How vacuum therapy works

The vacuum device gently draws blood into the penis to create a straightened erection, stretching the plaque and surrounding tissue. Regular stretching is thought to encourage the body to break down and remodel scar tissue, while also improving blood flow and helping to maintain length (Mortensen et al. 2021; Wang et al. 2025).

Long-term results and our experience

Vacuum devices have been used safely in urology for many years, and in Peyronie’s disease, studies following men for up to 14 months show that improvements in curvature are maintained (Wang et al. 2025). We have provided vacuum therapy with full fitting and training since 2019, and we record outcomes for every patient so that we can report our own long-term results.

Who is most likely to benefit

Vacuum therapy can help men in both the early and stable phases of Peyronie’s disease (BAUS; Mortensen et al. 2021), and is particularly useful for men who want to reduce curvature or maintain length, including alongside or after other treatments (Wang et al. 2025). It is suitable for most men, apart from those with the conditions listed in our safety information, and we choose the right cylinder size for you at your fitting.

What’s included

Your vacuum therapy programme includes the SOMAcorrect device, a full fitting to choose the right cylinder size, one-to-one training in clinic, and follow-up to check your progress and technique. Before you start, your clinician will talk you through how vacuum therapy works, what results to expect and how to use it safely, so you get the most from it at home.