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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffNew designs and surgical procedures have improved the function and safety of penile implants. Although implants are the most invasive and least often chosen treatment for erectile dysfunction, they have a high satisfaction rate. About three-fourths of the men who have the procedure, and their partners, say they're satisfied with the results.
While most men are satisfied with their penile implant, there are some things men should know before choosing to have the procedure:
- Implants cause an erection, but they don't increase sexual desire or sensation.
- The size of your erect penis may be slightly shorter than it used to be.
- Some partners feel that sexual pleasure is diminished by their lack of involvement in creating an erection.
- This surgery is permanent. If your implant is removed, you will not be able to get an erection.
- Infection is a possibility, especially if you have diabetes or certain other health problems. An infected penile implant has to be removed and replaced.
- You may have reduced sensation in the head of your penis. In some men, this improves when they also take erectile dysfunction treatment drugs, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra).
A penile implant procedure may have a higher risk of failure if you have immune system problems, a chronic health condition such as diabetes or are at high risk of infections.
- Montauge DK. Prosthetic surgery for erectile dysfunction. In: Wein AJ, et al. Walsh: Campbell's Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119551792-3/801941680/1445/26.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50025-X--cesec13_1966. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Henry GD. Updates in inflatable penile prostheses. Urology Clinics of North America. 2007;34:335.
- Erectile dysfunction. Cornell University Sexual Medicine Program. http://www.cornellurology.com. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Carson CC. Penile prosthesis implantation: Surgical implants in the era of oral medication. Urololgy Clinics of North America. 2005;32:503.
