Bob Berookhim, MD, MBA
Director, Male Fertility and Microsurgery
A penile implant is a surgically implanted device that is the solution for men who have erectile dysfunction (ED) due to medical issues.
Penile implants have been around for over 40 years, with significant technical improvement in the past few years. They are the only available treatment that provide a permanent solution for ED, give patients the opportunity for spontaneous sexual activity — without the need for planning ahead — and avoid the use of expensive and potentially embarrassing medications.
An important note about these implants is that they do not affect penile sensitivity nor do they affect the ability to achieve an orgasm. In addition, the penile implant is not a penile enlargement, it simply provides a hard and rigid erection.
There are different types of penile implants that ultimately all serve the same purpose: to provide an on-demand and completely reliable erection for men with ED. The implant is placed inside the penis through a short 30-minute to 1-hour surgery performed by a urologist. It is custom sized for each individual. Once placed, the penile implant is completely hidden within the body, invisible to others if closely examined.
The AMS Ambicor™ Penile Implant is easy to inflate and deflate.
The most common, and most comfortable, type of penile implant is an inflatable implant. After implantation, it looks completely natural whether inflated or flaccid. It consists of two inflatable cylinders within the penis and a small pump placed in the scrotum in between the testicles. It inflates painlessly and within seconds.
For certain men with ED, depending on their other medical problems, the best option may be a malleable implant. A malleable implant has two permanently rigid and bendable rods that are placed in the penis, and are effortlessly and immediately available for sexual activity when the mood strikes.
It is quite simply ready whenever the man is, and works immediately.
Penile implant reviews demonstrate overwhelmingly high satisfaction rates both from the man with the implant and his partner. A major part of this is due to the spontaneity of sex in men who have a penile implant. It is quite simply ready whenever the man is, and works immediately. The vast majority of sexual partners also report that the implant feels natural.
There are a few risks associated with penile implant surgery
Thankfully, implant infections are rare, particularly in the hands of penile implant specialists. In addition, the best and latest penile implants have an antibiotic coating, which have been shown to lower device infections even further in certain groups of men with ED.
Pain and soreness immediately after surgery is common, but most men report that it is easily tolerated and treated with pain medication over the course of a few days. Once healed, the device is painless.
…as with anything else in life, experience matters.
Although most urologists can technically do the surgery to place penile implants, as with anything else in life, experience matters. Penile implant specialists are experts at performing penile implant surgery. Frequently, these penile implant specialists have completed additional specialty fellowship training lasting longer than the more general training for urologists. These doctors can also review and provide all available options for the treatment of ED, including pills, penile shots and penile vacuum pumps, which may be better options in certain situations. The majority of urologists, on the other hand, lack experience with this surgery and may avoid mentioning penile implants when discussing erectile dysfunction treatment options.
Men considering this should prepare a list of questions to ask a penile implant doctor. Most importantly, they should ask about the surgeon’s experience with the different types of implants, including how many implants they perform per year. Penile implant specialists should be able to speak about the various types of implants and describe why they select a certain type of implant over others. It is also reasonable to ask where they completed their training and how long they have been in practice.
In summary, a penile implant represents a fantastic treatment option for men with ED who are looking to avoid medications and the need to plan sexual activity well in advance. Many men who have undergone implant surgery say that they wish they had made the decision to proceed earlier.
This physician is a Boston Scientific consultant but was not compensated for the creation of this article.
Bob Berookhim, MD, MBA
Director, Male Fertility and Microsurgery
Assistant Professor of Urology
Zucker School of Medicine
Lenox Hill Hopsital
170 E 77th St, Suite B
New York, NY 10075
Appt: (212) 434-4650