The majority of men with erectile dysfunction are traditionally treated with oral medications, such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis. Both Viagra and Cialis now come in generic formulations. Sildenafil and Tadalafil, respectively. Oral medications are successful in treating approximately 80% of men with erectile dysfunction. Oral medications can be less effective in treating men with certain medical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.

Another non-surgical treatment option that can be considered is penile injection therapy. This involves use of a tiny needle to inject small doses of medication directly into the penis 15-30 minutes prior to engaging in sexual intimacy.

Another option for men interested in non-surgical therapy includes use of a vacuum erection device. A vacuum erection device (or VED) is a long hallow plastic cylinder that goes over the penis and produces a vacuum. The vacuum draws blood into the penis and then a rubber constriction ring is placed around the base of the penis to hold the blood in the place allowing for penile rigidity.

An additional option to consider is eWave. eWave works by stimulating the penile tissues with gentle energy waves to allow for the creation of new blood vessels. This allows for improved blood flow to the penis with the goal of improved erectile function.

When non-surgical options don’t work or a man’s erectile dysfunction has progressed and he no longer responds to non-surgical options, a penile prosthesis is a great option. The penile prosthesis is a medical device, the most common of which being the inflatable penile prosthesis, which is implanted into the penis during a surgical procedure. The penile prosthesis is a safe option that has been around for many years. If interested, please call to have a discussion with your urologist to see if this is an appropriate option for you.

Penile Prosthesis Surgery

What is it?

A Penile implant is a medical device and a surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction. Penile implants are a safe, effective, and common treatment option that have been around for over 40 years. In multiple studies and surveys, of all the various treatment options for erectile dysfunction, penile implants had the highest patient and partner satisfaction rates. Over 90% of men report satisfaction with their penile implant. The surgery can be done in our surgical center and is an outpatient surgery that only takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to perform. The surgery is performed in a minimally invasive fashion usually through a single 1-2 inch incision. Our goal is that the majority of our patients are using their implant within 3-6 weeks of surgery.

How does it work?

To achieve an erection, a man will compress the pump in his scrotum using his fingers. The penile implant is a hydraulic system and this will move the sterile water from the reservoir to the cylinders providing for a rigid erection. When a man has finished using his implant, the deflation button on the pump is pressed and the penis gently squeezed to move the fluid back into the reservoir. The inflatable implant allows for the most natural erection of all the penile implants.

Does insurance cover my implant?

Most insurance companies including Medicare will cover penile implant surgery, but it is always prudent to check with your individual insurance company

Will a penile implant make my penis longer?

We never tell a patient that the penile implant will make his penis longer than it was, but with repetitive inflation and deflation, the implant can stop the progressive loss of length caused by erectile dysfunction.

Does a penile implant affect sensation?

A penile implant does not change your sensation during intercourse. In addition, if you were able to have an orgasm prior to your surgery you should be able to have an orgasm after your penile implant surgery.

Will anyone know that I have an implant?

The components of the implant are all placed inside the body. No one, not even your sexual partners, will know you have an implant unless you tell them.

Check out this video to learn more about penile implant surgery