Penile Implants
For Men With Peyronie's Disease
Penile implants are generally considered the last treatment option for men with Peyronie's disease. They are reserved for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) that have not responded to other treatment.
Penis implant surgery offers high level of satisfaction, as long as men keep their expectations realistic. Penis implant can straighten bent penis and allow you to achieve rigid erection on demand. It however does not make your penis longer nor boost your sexual desire (libido).
What Is Penis Implant Surgery?
Penis implant is a surgical procedure that involves permanently inserting a bendable or inflatable plastic cylinder (penile prosthesis) inside the penis. The implant allows the patient to gain rigid erection on demand with the use of an inflated bulb and release valve.
There are many types of penile implants available, i.e. different material and models. Your surgeon will explain the pros and cons of each one carefully for you and advice you what is most suitable in your situation.
All penile prosthesis (inflatable and malleable) improves the penis rigidity and allows you to get and maintain rigid erection on demand. They also make the penis look straight. They do not boost your sex drive or make your penis longer. Inflatable penile prosthesis can though increase the penis girth somewhat, which the bendable (malleable) implants do not.
Inflatable implants feel more natural than the bendable ones, making inflatable penis prosthesis the preferred choice by most men.
Implant surgery is relatively straightforward operation. It can be performed with either spinal or general anesthesia, and the operation usually takes around one hour to complete. Only surgeons experienced in this field should perform penis implant surgeries.
For Whom Is Penis Implant Suitable?
The use of penile implants to treat men with Peyronie's is solely restricted to those that also suffer from erectile dysfunction.
It is recommended to try other non-surgical ED treatments prior to opting for irreversible surgery, e.g. medication (pills, suppositories, injections) or Penis Vacuum Pump.
Penis implant surgery is the best surgical option for you if Erectile Dysfunction is part of your Peyronie’s disease and other ED treatments have not been successful. Penile prosthesis can also be beneficial for men with extensive Peyronie's plaque.
Implant on its own is usually enough for men with mild penis curvature. Men with more severe penis deformity might also need plaque incision, with or without grafting, i.e. to get the bent penis straight.
What Are The Penile Implants Benefits?
Penile prosthesis allows men with erectile dysfunction to achieve rigid erection on demand. It can literally give men back their sex life.
What Are Downside Of Penis Implants?
Men that have penile surgery cannot resume sexual activity immediately after the operation. In the case of penile implants, it can take a while for men to learn how to inflate the penis properly.
More importantly, it is generally irreversible operation. Natural erection is unlikely to return as your penis has been permanently altered by the implant.
The material used is getting better all the time but implants do not last forever. On the average, they last between 8 - 15 years though some current literatures suggest they can last up to 18 - 20 years.
Then there is the penile implant cost. Penis implant surgery can cost up to 20 thousand US dollars, depending on the type of implant chosen and who does it and where.
The public healthcare system may cover the cost of penile implants in some countries. Many insurance companies also cover the cost, partly or fully. Medicare (USA) covers the penile implant cost completely (except for co-pay) and many insurance companies cover it as long as medical cause is established (erectile dysfunction).
Always check your exact insurance policy details prior to committing to any surgery. Make sure your read the small print carefully.
What Are The Penis Implant Side Effects?
Post-operative complications are not common but side effects can include infection, implant malfunction, device migration, device erosion, sizing problems and auto inflation.
Penis prosthesis can also damage the penile tissues and decrease the penile sensation (penis numbness).
Is There Any Health Risk Involved In Penile Implant Surgery?
Surgery is invasive procedure and always involves some level of risk and it is important to be aware of them.
On top of the potential side effects, it is important to bear in mind, that penis prosthesis surgery is non-reversible. Your penis is permanently affected by the surgery and natural erection is therefore unlikely to return.
The Results Of Using Penile Implants For Peyronie's Patients
Penile prosthesis offers men with erectile dysfunction more spontaneous, consistent and rigid erection than other ED treatments can. Implants have also shown good results in correcting the penis curvature, which is also important consideration for men with Peyronie's disease.
Penile implants can give men with erectile dysfunction back their sex life. Patients, and their partners, therefore tend to report high satisfaction with the treatment (especially those that had realistic expectations to begin with).
Find out what Dr. Levine, one of the best known Peyronie's specialists in the world today, has to say about the benefits, side effects and results from the different Peyronie's surgeries.
Scientific Support
For Penile Implants For Peyronie's Patients
There are number of studies and reviews available that confirm that penis implants effectively achieve what they are supposed to achieve, i.e. rigid erection on demand and straighter penis. They also confirm high satisfaction among men that have undergone the procedure.
Like this study, that evaluated the results and complications of penile implantation in patients with erectile dysfunction caused by Peyronie's disease, concluded:
“Penile prosthesis implantation with modeling is a safe, simple, effective technique for straightening penile curvature in patients undergoing implantation of penile prosthesis for Peyronie's disease. Penile prosthesis implantation is a safe, effective, low morbidity method for restoring potency in men with male erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease” (International Journal of Impotence Research, June 1998)
This long-term follow-up study concluded similar findings:
“Silicon soft dynamic antiextrusion penile prosthesis is safe and effective in the treatment of severe Peyronie's disease associated to penile deformity during erection. Results in terms of penile curvature correction are good. The majority of patients report a sexual satisfaction” (Adv Urol. 2008)
While this study reminds us that placement of penile prosthesis in patients with Peyronie's disease can be challenging undertaking. They emphasize how important it is to keep the patients expectations realistic.
“Proper preoperative counseling that the erection will be shorter due to aging of the tunica albuginea, the original scar tissue from the tunical injury, the scar created in the tunica from placement of the prosthesis, and the scar forming around the cylinders as the body's reaction to healing after placement of these foreign bodies will help to lessen the disappointment which some patients will experience when the erection is now straight and functional but apparently decreased in length” (International Journal of Impotence Research, October 2002)
However, their conclusion is that with proper selection of prosthesis model, cylinder size, and attention to detail in achieving a straight erection a very gratifying result can be achieved in most instances.
My Personal Experience
And Opinion Of Peyronie's Implants
I do not have personal experience of penis implant surgery. Luckily, I found non-surgical treatment that worked for my Peyronie's.
If you need Peyronie's disease surgery, then the condition of your penis will determine which surgical option is most suitable for you. If erectile dysfunction is part of your Peyronie’s disease, then penile implant is your best option, with or without grafting.
However, if you are able to get erection, then Plication or Grafting is more appropriate surgical treatment option for your Peyronie's disease.
If you have already had, or are planning to have a penis surgery, then you might want to consider using Andropeyronie Traction device to prevent post-surgical penile shortening.
Have you had penis implant surgery for your Peyronie's disease?
If so, please use the form below and leave your Comments, or relevant practical advice to other Peyronie's sufferers.
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