What is a penile prosthesis?
Penile prosthesis is a permanent solution that you should now consider in cases where natural or medical treatments are insufficient to treat the erectile dysfunction problem you are experiencing.
The penile prosthesis placed inside the penis helps the anatomical hardening to take place. In addition to being a permanent solution if the non-surgical methods used in erectile dysfunction do not work, it is a treatment option with a high satisfaction rate. After a short operation, two happiness sticks placed in the penis provide hardening by bending or inflating, depending on the type.
Who can have a penile prosthesis?
Penile prosthesis offers a permanent solution for people who have erectile dysfunction, that do not achieve the desired level of improvement despite trying non-operative treatment methods such as medical treatment, injection therapy, vacuum devices. Erectile dysfunction occurs due to conditions such as diabetes, spinal cord damage or injuries, and multiple sclerosis. It is also seen in situations such as smoking, insufficient physical activity, stress, or anxiety. Urology Physicians may offer non-surgical treatment options to the patients. Although the success rate of these treatments is relatively good, they cannot provide a permanent solution to the problem. In this case, the penile prosthesis, which has been used for more than 40 years, is applied.
How do I choose the right penile prosthesis for me?
There are two kinds of penile prosthesis. These are one-piece (malleable) and three-piece inflatable prostheses. One-piece prostheses offer the opportunity to use for many years as they do not have any mechanical parts. In addition, one-piece prostheses, which are advantageous in terms of cost compared to three-piece prostheses, allow practical use thanks to their bendable structure. However, some individuals may prefer three-piece prostheses due to the constant state of stiffness. Three-piece prostheses are inflated several times through an inflatable pump and have semi- and full-hardening properties. In this way, it is a form of prosthesis with a high satisfaction rate as it provides a natural-looking hardening. Patients considering having penile prosthesis should consult their urology physician to decide which prosthesis is suitable for them.
The penile prosthesis surgery
The surgical approach may vary depending on which type of prosthesis is used, the patient’s history, and the surgeon’s approach. The 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis is placed by small incisions made in the scrotum, under the abdomen, and on the penis, during the surgery under general anesthesia.
It is usually made with a small surgical cut at the junction of the abdominal tissue and the penis or below the border where the scrotum (also called the scrotum) meets the penis. No tissue is removed in this operation, and blood loss is usually very minimal. Patients can go home on the same day of surgery or stay in the hospital overnight if the doctor deems it appropriate. This may vary depending on the physician’s approach and the hospital’s internal procedures. This operation takes about an hour. Pain, swelling, or bruising may occur in the penis or scrotum for approximately 3-4 weeks after penile prosthesis implantation. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe you a pain reliever. Patients can have sexual intercourse 4-6-8 weeks after the prosthesis surgery if the physician approves. The patients’ enjoyment of sexual intercourse, orgasm, or ejaculation are definitely not affected after the implanted prosthesis and the operation. As in the past, the patient can have sexual intercourse as often and as long as he wants and can have children naturally. Penile prostheses increase the erection of the penis, but they generally do not lengthen the penis.
What is the success rate?
About 90% to 95% of all prosthetic surgeries are successful, meaning penile prostheses are well suited for long-term and satisfying sexual intercourse; according to the results of a study (*), the satisfaction rates of patients and their spouses who have penile prostheses are quite high. In the same study, 93% of men and their spouses stated that they were satisfied with the results and said that they would have the same treatment done again in the same situation.
(*) Ref: Çayan S, Aşcı R, Efesoy O, Bolat MS, Akbay E, Yaman Ö, “Comparison of Long-Term Results and Couples’ Satisfaction with Penile Implant Types and Brands: Lessons Learned From 883 Patients With Erectile Dysfunction Who Underwent Penile Prosthesis Implantation”, J Sex Med. 2019;16(7):1092–1099.
