How Does a Penile Implant Work?

Combining holistic urology treatments with state-of-the-art technology, our knowledgeable team at Urology Specialist Group offers specialized health care for men experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED). Our doctors can treat this condition in a variety of ways, such as with a penile implant.

If hormone therapy or medication aimed at increasing blood flow has failed to help you achieve or maintain an erection, you might consider a penile implant. With this procedure, your doctor surgically implants a prosthetic device inside your penis and scrotum to help you regain full sexual function.

Penile implants won’t increase sexual desire or improve sensation. They will, however, enable you to manually inflate your penis to achieve an erection.

What are your options?

Penile implants are safe and simple to operate. Our doctors can put in one of three types of penile implants during surgery:

Three-piece inflatable pump

We place two cylinders into your penis along with a fluid-filled container in the abdomen and an inflatable pump in the scrotum, all connected through special tubing. When you squeeze the pump, fluid travels from this container to the cylinders, eliciting an erection. Releasing the valve makes the penis flaccid.

Two-piece inflatable pump

This works in the same way as the three-piece inflatable device. The fluid, however, rests inside the pump in the scrotum.

Semi-rigid or malleable rods

Our surgeon implants two flexible rods into your penis, which remain in a semi-rigid state. You can set them in various positions, as needed. Many find these less comfortable than the two- or three-piece inflatable pumps.

Who is a good candidate for penile implants?

Erectile dysfunction may be the result of a variety of conditions, including:

• High blood pressure
• Trauma to the pelvic region
• Heart disease
• Stress, depression, or anxiety
• Parkinson's disease
• High cholesterol
• Alcoholism
• Smoking
• Drug abuse
• Diabetes
• Obesity

However, you may not be a candidate for surgery if you have a pulmonary or urinary tract infection, improperly managed diabetes, or erectile dysfunction that’s due to emotional, rather than physical, causes. Our doctors thoroughly evaluate you to make sure you are a good candidate for implant surgery. 

During the procedure

The surgery may be performed under spinal or general anesthesia. Your surgeon shaves the area and inserts a catheter and intravenous line (IV) for antibiotics and medications. After making an incision at the head or base of your penis, or in your lower abdomen, he then places inflatable cylinders inside your penis (if you choose the two-piece device) or within both your penis and scrotum (for the three-piece unit). This outpatient procedure takes less than an hour. 

After the surgery

Most men can resume regular physical and sexual activity in approximately four to six weeks following surgery. The doctor removes your stitches in two weeks and the surgical scar is barely noticeable.

The implant shouldn’t alter your sensations or ability to achieve orgasm and ejaculate. The cylinders of more recent models may even increase your organ’s length, girth, and stiffness. The implant may hinder your natural erection reflex, however. After the surgery, you will need to inflate the implant to achieve an erection.

An overwhelming 80-90% of men undergoing this procedure report they are satisfied with the outcome. To discuss your options for treating erectile dysfunction or other health issues, call our Urology Specialist Group in Hialeah and Miami Lakes, Florida or request an appointment online today.