Penile Prosthesis Specialist

When might I need a penile prosthesis?

Your doctor at Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists could recommend a penile prosthesis to treat two conditions:

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction occurs when men can’t achieve or maintain an erection that’s firm enough for sexual intercourse. Treatment for erectile dysfunction begins with oral medications and proceeds through several nonsurgical methods. Since a penile prosthesis is surgically implanted, it’s typically the last treatment option that’s used when the others fail.

Peyronie’s disease

Peyronie’s disease is a condition in which your erect penis isn’t straight; rather, it has a curve caused by scar tissue inside the penis. This condition can cause pain with or without an erection and can contribute to erectile dysfunction. 

What is a penile prosthesis?

A penile prosthesis, also called a penile implant, is a device that’s surgically implanted inside your penis, giving you the ability to have an erection. It’s also important to know that a penile prosthesis doesn’t affect sensation or affect orgasm or ejaculation.

There are two types of penile implants:

Inflatable implants

This penile prosthesis has three parts: cylinders that are placed inside your penis, a fluid-filled reservoir that’s implanted under the abdominal wall near your bladder, and a pump that goes inside your scrotum.

All the components are inside your body, so no one knows you have a penile prosthesis. To achieve an erection, you press the pump, which sends fluid from the reservoir into the cylinders. When intercourse is over, you use the release valve on the pump to release the fluid and send it back to the reservoir.

Semirigid rods

This penile prosthesis consists of two rods that are surgically implanted inside your penis. The rods are rigid but malleable, so you only need to bend it up for an erection and back down when you’re not having intercourse.

What should I expect during the procedure to implant a penile prosthesis?

Surgery to implant the penile prosthesis typically requires one small incision and takes 90 minutes. You can go home the same day, but you’ll need to wait about four weeks for complete healing. Four weeks after your surgery, you’ll go in for a follow-up exam and to be sure your prosthetic works properly.

If you’re searching for effective treatments for erectile dysfunction, call Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists or book an appointment online.