February 28, 2018
More than 50% of men over the age of 40 suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). Many men remain silent and feel embarrassed, but ED is common and often easily treatable. Initially your physician will typically recommend prescription medication to treat the symptoms associated with ED, but sometimes pills are not an option due to cost, side effects, contraindications, or sometimes they simply don’t work. Alternatives to the drugs, such as penile injections and the penile vacuum pump, may not be attractive or practical. This is where penile implants can provide hope. A penile implant, or penile prosthesis, is a customized medical device which is inserted into the penis via a small incision at the penis base during a 60 to 90-minute procedure. The implant is generally not noticeable when the penis is either flaccid or erect, but helps provide a natural-feeling erection when inflated. Nearly 94% of men who received a penile implant reported satisfaction with their choice, compared to only 50% of men who chose to treat their erectile dysfunction with prescription medication. The typical recovery time after surgery is between 2 to 4 weeks, after which you can start enjoying sex again. The surgery takes about an hour, and has been performed on hundreds of thousands of patients. Penile implants do not affect orgasm, ejaculation, or urination. One drawback to penile implants is that not all insurance providers cover the surgery, but some surgeons will provide affordable flat-fee procedures.
There are a few different options of penile implants to choose from. Depending on your personal needs, you will decide between the inflatable penile implant and the semi rigid (malleable) penile implant. The inflatable penile implant comes in a two-piece or three-piece design, and is customized to look and perform like a natural erection. The inflatable implant requires more manual dexterity than the other implants, and requires a slightly more extensive surgery. The semi rigid (malleable) penile implant is easy to use, requires less extensive surgery, and maintains constant firmness, but is also associated with potentially more erosion-type complications.
We understand many potential patients have questions about the surgery before deciding if it is right for them. We will discuss the most frequently asked questions. Men often want to know if they will lose any length after the implant. Every penile implant is customized to fit the individuality of each patient’s anatomy. Your erections will be the same size as they were before the surgery. However, it is normal for the penis to lose some length when there is a lack of erections, but there are some tricks to bring on some extra length back before the surgery.
MORE COMMON QUESTIONS:
Can I still have an orgasm?
The prosthesis will not change the sexual sensation, or the ability to ejaculate and reach an orgasm.
What are the risks involved?
The most devastating risk is infection. If the implant gets infected, it will need to be removed and replaced. The risk has been reduced to about 1 or 2 percent. Men with spinal cord injuries or diabetes are more susceptible and the risk in those patients is 3 to 5 percent. Another risk, although rare, is a mechanical problem with the implant and these may require another surgery to fix. Other possible complications include pain from the implant and scar tissue formation causing pain or deformity.
Will the implant be noticeable?
The implant is internal, so no one will notice. The penis will maintain the same appearance whether flaccid or erect.
Can I still have spontaneous erections?
Unfortunately, that is unlikely.
Will sex be different with the implant?
The implant does not change the skin sensation or the ability to reach orgasm, nor is ejaculation affected. The implant enables the penis to stiffen and thicken, and creates a more natural-looking and natural-feeling erection. Contact Urology Health Solutions today, and talk to a physician about the different options available. Penile implants have a higher patient satisfaction rate, and are custom-fit to your anatomy. We are dedicated to finding the perfect solution to fit your health and lifestyle.