A penile implant is a device that is surgically put in a penis to assist men suffering from erectile dysfunction come up with an erection. Penile implants can be semi-rigid or inflatable and they have different mechanisms of action. Men who use penile implants are typically given all the necessary counseling especially regarding the advantages and the demerits before the surgery goes ahead.

Alternatives to Penile Implants

Now that an explanation has been given regarding penile implants, it is important to mention at this point that they are not the only solutions to treat erectile dysfunction in men. That brings us to the alternatives to penile implants when treating sexual dysfunction. When it comes to men’s sexual health, the following are the alternatives to penile implants:

Pharmaceutical Agents (Drugs)

Scientists have been able to come up with several drugs and pharmaceutical agents that can be used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. These drugs have found wide acceptance and use in different parts of the globe. Some of the most well-known medications for erectile dysfunction in men include sildenafil citrate (sold under the brand name Viagra), vardenafil (under the brand name Levitra) and tadalafil (available under the brand name Cialis). All these three drugs are taken as oral pills.

There is also a penile cream like DDAIP and then there are a series of penile injections. These injections are typically used with drugs like papaverine and prostaglandin E1 (also called alprostadil). Apart from the creams and the penile injections, there is also a special suppository that can be used by putting it inside the urethra (the tube that conveys urine from the bladder out of the body).

Hormonal Therapy

Some men that are battling erectile dysfunction are doing so because of the decreased levels of testosterone in their systems. For men in this category, they do not have to make use of penile implants. Instead of using implants, these men can go for hormonal treatment instead. They can take some testosterone which will assist them to get some erection and have satisfying sexual experiences with their partners.

Penis Pumps

Also called a penis vacuum, a penis pump is a specialized vacuum erection device that assists in drawing blood into the penile tissue and ends up making it stand erect. It works via the application of negative pressure. It allows the man to get and sustain an erection via blood flow suction to the penis, through a vacuum. It can be utilized moments before the man is about to do his penetration. Like the drugs stated in sections above, many penis pumps have also been approved by the FDA and can be taken by patients with a prescription from their physicians.

Penis pumps are often used when it is clear that the drugs are not producing the desired results. The good thing is that it often works where drugs have not been able to help with erectile dysfunction.

It is overwhelmingly successful in men using it. The pump comes with a compression ring located at the base of the penis to fix it. It is important to state that these penis pumps designed and used for erectile dysfunction are not the same with the penis pumps (that lack compression rings) that are used by men who want to increase penis length.

Alternative Medicine

Several products in the market today are sold as natural sexual enhancement products. Even though there are not many clinical studies that have been done to establish their efficacy, these natural or herbal supplements are very popular with men especially in places like China, Vietnam, Thailand and countries across Africa.

 

References

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/penile-implants/about/pac-20384916
2. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-penile-implants-4126585
3. https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)30578-6/fulltext
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14551595
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314992
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/penis-pump/about/pac-20385225
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/how-to-use-a-penis-pump
8. https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/vacuum-constriction-devices