What is a Penile Implant and How Does It Work?
A penile implant is a discrete device that is placed into a man’s penis and is designed to help him get an erection. Once implanted, it helps put the man back in control of his body and can be used at any time, unlike other treatment options where there may be a short waiting period for them to be effective.
Erectile dysfunction or IDI is the inability to obtain or maintain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse.
Approximately 30 million men in the United States suffer from this disorder, although this problem may be due to psychological factors such as stress or relationship conflict.
In the majority of men, there are underlying physical causes. There are several treatment options. Oral medications such as viagra, bard, NFL or Cialis, are usually the first line of treatment.
These medications are helpful for many but by no means all men who have ED, when oral medications fail using a vacuum, erection device, or self-injecting medication into the penis, or other non-surgical treatment alternatives.
These treatments are not effective for all men and for some men and their partners they are not acceptable for these men.
Penile prosthesis implantation provides relief from ED. Prosthesis implantation is often done when medical treatment for erectile dysfunction fails.
Today’s penile prosthesis are fluid-filled inflatable devices consisting of paired penile cylinders, his scrotal pump, and an abdominal fluid reservoir.
An incision is made where the penis and scrotum join you. An opening into one of the Chambers is made and sutures are placed. The tissues inside the erection chambers are dilated down to where the erection chamber attaches to the pelvic bone and then out into the penis to where the erection chamber ends under the head of the penis.
The prosthesis consists of a pair of cylinders, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. One of the cylinders is inflated to demonstrate that it increases not only in diameter but also in length. A special inserter is used to draw the cylinder out into the shaft of the penis.
An extender is applied to the proximal end, which goes down into the pelvis. The sutures are tied to closed tissues over the cylinder and a second cylinder is placed in a similar manner. A pocket is made for the pump.
The pump is placed deep in the scrotum, then connections between the pump and the Saunders are made with special connectors. A catheter is placed to empty the bladder through the original incision.
A separate opening is created to insert the empty reservoir into the space. Next to the bladder, the reservoir is then filled with saline solution, a connection be the reservoir and the pump is made and the tissues are closed. With the prosthesis deflated, the penis looks natural to inflate the prosthesis.
The man squeezes the pump several times transferring fluid from the reservoir into the cylinders.
Reasons to Consider a Penile Implant
- Patient Satisfaction Rates: Patients report a 98% satisfaction rate for inflatable penile implants.
- Additional Patient Satisfaction Rates: Patients treated with a penile implant appear to be significantly more satisfied with their treatment options than those treated with ED medication or other treatment options.
- A Discrete Treatment for ED: A penile prosthesis is not noticeable when your penis is flaccid. Your partner won’t be able to tell you’ve had an implant to treat your ED unless you tell them.
- Minimal Recovery Time: Every man is different, but a typical recovery time after a prosthesis implant procedure is four to six weeks. After you’ve fully recovered, you can begin enjoying sex once more.
- Cost-effective: Penile implants have been shown to be the most cost-effective ED treatment over a 10-year period. Insurance Coverage: Penile implants are prescribed by a physician and are generally covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare.
Read More: Penile Support Devices
