Prosthetic Treatments For ED
A penile implant or prosthetic is a device used to help patients achieve and sustain erection, in order to have more satisfying sexual encounters. For those who, for various reasons, find that drug treatments are not for them, they represent a safe, effective option for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Penile implants sometimes carry a stigma, a holdover from decades past. Early models were less effective, prone to breakage and sometimes led to infection. They were considered intrusive and even 'unmasculine'. But several decades of clinical research and improvements have radically altered the situation for the better. Still, there are some caveats to be acknowledged.
Today, there are two general types of prosthetic: malleable and inflatable.
Some malleable prosthetics are a pair of semi-rigid rods that are implanted into the penis. Others have an outer shell that is concentric around an inner one made of metal or plastic. Some types have a permanent shape, others are slightly adjustable.
The basic downside to this type is they are always 'on'. They make the penis rigid and erect all the time. In order to allow non-sexual function, they are typically mid-way between a full erection and a flaccid or limp penis. But they are relatively easy to insert surgically.
Inflatables are the more popular option for prosthetic penile implant these days.
Inflatables come in either two or three sections but both perform the same function by essentially the same means. A narrow tube is inserted into the penis that is attached to a pump and a reservoir containing fluid. The pump and release mechanism are commonly implanted into the scrotum so the whole assembly is invisible.
When the user wants to achieve erection he or his partner squeezes the pump, inflating the device (hence the name). To release it, a simple pressure valve under the skin is depressed, or the penile shaft is bent, pushing fluid back into the chamber.
The device is effective and very safe. All are coated with an antibiotic compound and infection is rare, between 2-3% according to data from Cornell University's Department of Urology.
Patients report a high satisfaction level with penile implants. In a number of cases, ranging up to 15%, it's necessary to have a follow up procedure in order to make adjustments and repair components. Approximately 85% of men who received one still have their original implant ten years after surgery.
However, as with any treatment the possibility of side-effects is present. Apart from infection, sensitivity and pain are possible, especially shortly after the procedure and during initial use. Scar tissue can form, especially if the device has to be removed and/or re-inserted. The best option for those interested is to seek the counsel of a qualified physician. Discuss the available options, including their risks and benefits.