When it comes to the issue of Erectile Dysfunction [ED] many men will shy away from having a discussion based on this topic as it is a highly sensitive and personal phenomenon that most people are not comfortable enough to address. However, Erectile Dysfunction has affected the lives of millions of men all around the globe adversely. ED or Erectile Dysfunction can be defined as the inability of an individual to stimuli an erection required during sexual intercourse. The topic of Erectile Dysfunction is somewhat still treated as a taboo even in the 21st Century as the human society interprets it as a humiliating unnatural condition.

However, such is not the case as a large number of the male population is currently suffering from this condition. Men can often face issues related to temporary Erectile Dysfunction either when they are nervous or not attracted to their partner while initiating coitus. These instances are completely normal and can be fixed in due course of time. However, the issue of ED increases with age as it is estimated that more than 5% of men above the age of 40 are affected by this condition. The number only increases as we go higher on the age scale as 10% of men between the ages of 50 to 60 experiences this issue as well. More than 15-20% of men in their 70’s are also exposed to the condition.

Hence, to mitigate this issue, various solutions have been discovered in the past couple of decades. The first solution of Erectile Dysfunction was discovered in 1973 with Scott inflatable Penile prosthesis. Later down the years with an immediate advancement in technology and medical science, medications were adopted with the advent of Viagra in 1998. Now, at present, the surgical procedure of Penile Implant has gained a lot of popularity in the market as it gives the patients suffering from the issues of Erectile Dysfunction, a permanent and effective solution.

However, if you are suffering from the limitations of ED, it is imperative that you know the three stages of treatment for the condition. The three stages have been highlighted below:

  •     Oral Therapy: Oral therapy is the first stage that every individual suffering from Erectile Dysfunction must consider. In this stage, people resort to various medications and treatments in the form of prescribed drugs to treat conditions related to ED. More than 75% of males rely on oral therapies who are initially suffering from ED. With the introduction of drugs such as Viagra, multiple people from all around the world have attained immediate relief. Therefore, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of a professional and try out oral medication before you decide to proceed with a permanent Penile Implant.
  •     Vacuum Pumps and Injections: This is the second stage in the treatment process of Erectile Dysfunction. The procedure generally incorporates the use of various injections and vacuum pumps to overcome the limitations of ED. The remaining 25% of the male population can try out the methodologies involved in this step. Urethral Suppository, Penile Injections, and Vacuum Pumps are usually used to treat patients in the second line of ED treatment. However, this process can be comparatively costlier than the first line of treatment but they often generate favorable results in the long run.
  •     Penile Implant: Penile Implants are opted by roughly 5% of the male population who are suffering severely from the symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction. If the above two lines of treatment fail, then an individual can reply upon the treatment procedure of a Penile Implant. It is very important that a man has tried out the above two lines of treatment first, before making the decision of initiating a Penile Implant.

The various causes of Erectile Dysfunction:

The causes of Erectile Dysfunction can be plenty as people can also be hereditary affected. The organic causes of Erectile Dysfunction are generally experienced by people who suffer from Diabetes. It is estimated that people suffering from Diabetes are four times more likely to suffer from ED than, an average male. If you are suffering from cardiovascular diseases, then the chances of you experiencing Erectile Dysfunction will also increase in the long run.

People who have undergone Prostate Cancer Surgical procedures are also likely to face issues related to a natural erection. Other causes of Erectile Dysfunction include the presence of Priapism where the erectile tissue is damaged due to prolonged erection, people suffering from mental trauma or depression may lack the ability to attain erection naturally, and people suffering from Peyronie’s disease [abnormal curvature of the penis] can be affected by Erectile Dysfunction.

Things you should know about before making a decision to opt for Penile Implant:

It is imperative that every man should be aware of certain limitations that come with the Penile Implant procedure. Therefore, before complying and issuing full consent, it is essential that you understand some of the possible side effects of Penile Implant surgery:

  •     Reduction in the size of the Penis: Some men may experience a slight loss in terms of the natural length of the penis due to a certain stretch exerted on the penile tissue. There are no chances of making your penis larger by initiating Penile Implant. The surgery only helps individuals to attain an erection and not increase penis size. Therefore, due to an adjustment in the penile tissue, the length of the penis might slightly reduce in size upon erection.
  •     Chances of Urethral Injuries: While initiating a Penile Implant, the chances of receiving a Urethral Injury and Corporal Perforation is high. These complications are usually intraoperative in nature and can be managed adequately if identified at the right time.
  •     Post-Operative Complications: These complications are generally experienced in the form of infections, malfunctions, and erosion. It is estimated that close to 1%-3% of the male population who have undergone Penile Implant suffer from infections. The issues related to an infection can be treated effectively by seeking assistance from experts. Malfunction of the Penile Implant can also be experienced by individuals on rare occasions. As per a recent study, it was discovered that 95% of Penile Implant function perfectly within the first 5 years of the surgery, 85% functioning well after 10 years, and 70% function adequately after 15 years. Issues related to erosion are experienced by roughly 1% of the male population who have gone through the process of Penile Implant.

It is also essential to know that after an individual has gone through the procedure of Penile Implant, then the first and the second line of treatment [as mentioned above] cannot be practiced in the long run.

So if you are not being able to attain a natural erection and wish to get rid of the limitations related to Erectile Dysfunction then the following points in favor of Penile Implant should be taken into consideration:

  1. Increase in your satisfaction rates: People who suffer from Erectile Dysfunction have troubled sexual lives. So much so that marriages and relationships often crumble due to the existence of this condition. Relying upon the solutions offered by Penile Implant will help you to regain your ability to attain an erection. It is recorded that more than 95% of men have increased their satisfaction level when it comes to taking part in coitus. The rate is equal for the female partners as well. The ability to enjoy sexual activities and reach climax is maximized upon the employment of a Penile Implant. So if you want to get rid of sexual dissatisfaction which has been caused due to the condition of Erectile Dysfunction, then a Penile Implant is the solution which you have been waiting for.
  1. Limited Side-Effects and Effective Long Term Solution: The side effects of going through with a Penile Implant are minimal. The procedure is extremely safe and usually takes surgeons an hour to execute. Initially, patients might feel a certain level of discomfort. However, that is solved with time. Minor issues related to infections can also be addressed effectively by seeking assistance from medical professionals. One of the most significant advantages of a Penile Implant is related to the duration of the solution. The technology incorporates will help individuals concerned to attain an erection for an average time period of 10 years without experiencing any malfunction. Consider it to be a long term investment which will definitely give rise to favorable results in the future. Thus, it is also cost-effective in nature as you will be able to benefit from your investment over an extended time period.
  1. Easy to use: The mechanism related to a Penile Implant is extremely easy to use. The most common type of implant employs 3 distinct devices which are:
  •     A Pump: The Pump is placed in the scrotum. When an individual wishes to take part in coitus, then all he has to do is activate the pump. It acts as a medium that helps the water to transfer into the cylinder.
  •     A Reservoir: Conventionally a reservoir is placed in the abdomen that has the ability to hold water. The water from the reservoir then gets transferred to the pump when it is activated during coitus.
  •     Two Cylinders: The two cylinders are generally placed in the Penile area which induces an erection when water from the reservoir is passed through the channel.

After climax is attained, the individual with a Penile Implant has to simply turn the pump off. Water is then transferred back from the reservoir from the penile cylinders.

  1. Discrete Treatment: People who are suffering from Erectile Dysfunction can easily initiate coitus without having any evidence of a Penile Implant. Your partner will not be able to distinguish and decipher that the implant is in place which is assisting an erection. It is completely safe and offers the people suffering from the issues of ED a discrete solution. This mitigates embarrassing encounters which can affect the confidence of an individual adversely.
  1. Minimal Recovery – As mentioned early, it usually takes surgeons an hour to complete a Penile Implant procedure. The recovery period for the patient is also short when compared to other major surgeries. Usually, patients can recover within 4 to 6 weeks of the initial surgery date. During this period, an individual cannot take part in any sexual activities. However, after recovering from the surgery, you can take part in coitus freely. It is recommended that sexual activities are limited within the first few weeks of the implant so that malfunctions [if any] can be detected and fixed. One the body has adjusted to the Penile Implant then people can make full utilization of the technology. Also, it is essential that an individual does not take part in any physical activity [including exercise] during the recovery period.
  1. A wide range of options: Based on the height, age, and preference of the patient concerned, a wide variety of Penile Implant can be selected. The most common types of Penile Implants include –
  •     Two-piece inflatable: The two-piece inflatable pump is similar to the three-piece design and also functions in a similar way. However, the only difference between the two is that the pump also acts as a reservoir in this design.
  •     Three-piece inflatable pump: This is the most common form of a Penile Implant where a reservoir, pump, and cylinder mechanism is utilized.
  •     Semi-rigid Rods: This technology does not employ the use of pumps or reservoirs. Instead, two semi-rigid rods are placed in the penile area which when activated during sex induce erection

These are some of the factors which must be taken into consideration when you are deciding upon the initiation of a Penile Implant. Therefore, if you are looking for a permanent solution to the issues related to Erectile Dysfunction, then a Penile Implant will satisfy all your needs at every level possible.