Men with erectile dysfunction (ED) may be considering penile implants that are introduced into the penis to facilitate an erection. But are they effective?
Blood circulation and pressure are two of the most prevalent physical issues of erectile dysfunction.
After several other ED therapies have failed, they usually recommend undergoing penile implant surgery.
Semirigid and inflatable penile implants are the two usual types. Every type of penile implant has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
The insertion of penile implants necessitates surgery. Before deciding on penile implants, make sure you’re aware of the procedure’s dangers, complications, and aftercare requirements.
What are Penile Implants Used For?
Most men can successfully treat erectile dysfunction with drugs using a penis pump – a vacuum constriction device. If you aren’t a good nominee for other therapies or can’t reach an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse using different methods, you might want to consider penile implants.
Penile implants can also treat severe Peyronie’s Disease cases, a disorder that causes scarring within the penis and results in bent, painful erections.
Not everybody is a candidate for penile implants. If you have any of the following conditions, your doctor can advise you against getting penile implants:
- Diabetes that hasn’t been managed or treated properly
- Situational Erectile Dysfunction – ED that is the product of a relationship dispute, or ED that is potentially reversible
- A pulmonary infection or a urinary tract infection are examples of this condition
It’s important to remember that while these implants improve men’s erection, they don’t enhance sexual sensation or desire. Most penile implants would not increase the size of your penis beyond what it is when the time you get the surgery. In reality, your erect penis might be a little shorter than it was previously.
What are the Risks of Penile Implants?
Any surgery or surgical procedure carries the risk of complications, and a penile implant is no exception. Some of the risks associated with penile implant surgery include:
- Infection Disease: Getting an infection is a possibility for any medical procedure. If you have diabetes or a spinal column injury, you might be more susceptible to infection.
- Implant Issues: Modern penile implant devices are dependable, but the implants can fail in rare cases. A damaged implant requires surgery to repair, remove or replace it.
- Internal Adhesion or Erosion: This type of risk is a different thing. A penile implant can adhere or wear the skin away from the penis’ inside in most cases. An implant that cuts through the skin is extremely rare. Infections are also related to these issues.
What Types of Penile Implants Are There?
Penile implants are divided into two categories:
Inflatable implants
The most popular form of penile implant is an inflatable device inflated to create an erection and deflated at another time. A fluid-filled tank is inserted below the abdominal surface, a pump, a release pipe are located inside the scrotum, and two inflatable cylinders are inside the penis.
Pump the fluid from the tank into the cylinders to produce an erection. The liquid is then drained back into the tank by releasing the valve inside the scrotum. The liquid reservoir is a component of the pump inserted in the two-piece model’s scrotum, which functions similarly.
Semirigid rods
A device that is still stable. For sexual intercourse, you can bend away from the body, and for concealment, it can lean against the body. A positioned penile implant is a semirigid device with an entire set held together by a spring on either end. It has a more extraordinary ability to hold up and down positions than other semirigid rods.
Other unique styles can accommodate a shortened or larger-than-average penis. Antibiotic sealants are available on any inflatable penile implants, which can minimize the chance of infection.
What To Expect – Before, During, and After
Before the surgery
Penile implant surgery is performed generally in a hospital or surgery facility. Your physician can prescribe you medicine to render you unconscious while having the surgery under a GA (general anesthesia) or relieve pain in your lower body (spinal anesthesia).
To help avoid infection, your doctor will provide you IV antibiotics. They will trim the surgical area just before the operation to reduce the possibility of infection.
During the surgery
During the procedure, a pipe (catheter) might be inserted into your bladder through your penis to extract urine samples.
Next, spongy tissue in the penis that would usually fill with blood during an erection would then be stretched by your doctor. The hollow chambers identified as the corpora cavernosa contain this muscle tissue.
A valve and pump are inserted inside the scrotum if your doctor is injecting a two-piece inflatable unit. Your doctor will also implant a fluid tank below the abdominal surface via an internal incision if you have a three-piece unit.
The physician will stitch the sutures closed until the device is in position. The operation for a penile implant typically takes 45 min to 1 hour.
After the surgery
You’ll need to take pain relievers after your penile implant surgery. Mild discomfort will last for several weeks. To avoid infection, you might require to drink medicines for a week.
To avoid downward curvature, your doctor can advise you to hold your penis up on your lower abs and pointing toward your belly button during the restoration process.
After 4-6 weeks, most men will continue the strenuous physical and sexual activities. In just two weeks, you’ll need to see your doctor get your stitches out.
At this stage, your doctor can recommend that you completely inflate and deflate your inflatable penile implants regularly (twice a day) to practice how to use them.
Conclusion
Penile implants are intended to remain undetectable when assisting you in achieving erections for sexual activity. In which other treatments have failed, this is a feasible alternative.
Although penile implants are the most intrusive and rare medication for erectile dysfunction, most gentlemen and their spouses are happy with the results. The device has a survival rate of 60-80%, suitable for ten years.
