Penile Implants: HSA Eligibility

What are penile implants?

Penile implants are surgically implanted into the penis to allow for the ability to obtain a healthy erection that can sustain sexual intercourse. Penile implants can either be inflatable or will consist of malleable rods that can be bent to the shape of an erect penis. Penile implants are usually recommended by a medical professional when erectile dysfunction has prevented an individual from obtaining erections that can be sustained through sexual intercourse, and there is a clear medical cause for the erectile dysfunction and it is unlikely to resolve or change through other treatments or with time. A penile implant may also be used when scarring from Peyronie's disease has caused erections to curve excessively (Mayo Clinic).

Penile implants, after surgery, can generally be used about 6 weeks later. The surgery itself usually takes less than an hour and can be performed in an outpatient center.

Bendable rod implants leave the penis in a semi-erect state. Inflatable implants have pumps which are surgically implanted inside the body. The network of pumps retain saline solution and allow for an external control valve to shift the location of the saline, flooding the shaft of the penis and bringing it to full erection. Pump implants are far less noticeable and more discrete than bendable rod implants. Men concerned about the length, size or appearance of their penis after receiving a penis implant may have options available through their doctor to select specific types of pumps that will increase their penis's size or appearance (WebMD).

Satisfaction rates are quite high for the men who receive penis pumps, though no data is available for determining whether there is any increased satisfaction on behalf of the recipient's sexual partners. Implants are generally safe, but as with all surgeries, carry a risk of side effects which include bleeding, infection, scar tissue, and mechanical failure of the pump and/or rod.