Can Someone Tell if I have a Penile Implant?

Getting a penile implant may be a necessary procedure for many men, but that doesn’t always mean they feel comfortable discussing it with others. For lots of patients, WORD is key. Here, we try and break down some of the fears that men have regarding the visibility of their penile implant, and how obvious it may be in certain situations like sexual intercourse.

Are there any physical indications that I have a penile implant?

In your day to day life, there is absolutely no way to recognize whether someone has a penile implant or not, unless they tell you. When you have your clothes on, there is no indication. This is a concern mostly for men who have the semi-rigid implant. However, this type of implant can be easily bent and shifted so that it is easily concealed and unnoticeable. This usually means bending it downwards, but whatever feels comfortable for you¹. Men with an inflatable penis do not have this issue, as the flaccid penis looks just like it did before the implant.

In most cases, the only outward sign that you have a penile implant will be a small scar at the base of your penis². If you have a three-part inflatable penis, you may also have a small scar on your abdomen from where the reservoir has been inserted³. These scars are so small that most people might not even see them, and will generally only be seen by sexual partners.

Will my partner be able to tell when we have sex?

It can feel very awkward trying to get intimate with a new sexual partner when you have a penile implant. Although honesty is always the best policy (especially for your peace of mind), it can also bring comfort knowing that your penile implant can still provide regular sexual gratification.

Depending on what kind of implant you have, your partner may not be able to tell that you have a prosthesis. This is because penile implants are designed to mimic a natural penis as much as possible, and technological advancements have come quite far. Patients need to remember that each different type of prosthesis is going to look and feel slightly different. The one that is the most natural-looking and feeling (when both erect and flaccid) is the three-piece inflatable prosthesis⁴. This may be something that you want to consider when choosing what kind you want.

For example, if you have an inflatable penile implant, one of the most obvious signs will be the need to inflate it in order to gain an erection. Of course, this can be done discreetly and out of the room if you don’t want them to notice. But your erection will not go away until you have deflated the implants. Even if you have a malleable implant, there will be no difference in your penis. Partners may also notice this aspect of sexual activity.

Will sex still feel the same?

If you are concerned that your partner will be able to tell because sex will feel different, you don’t need to worry. Sex will remain relatively the same for both you and your partner, as a penile implant does not affect the way that it feels¹. Penile implants, especially inflatable options, are designed to mimic a natural erection as much as possible, in regards to both stiffness and girth¹. The only thing that will change is the fact that the head of the penis will no longer get hard (the implants do not affect the head)¹.

Will my penis be the same size?

Penile implants come in a range of sizes, and your medical team will make sure that you receive a prosthesis that is the right size for you. These are completly customized to each patient’s body and penis⁵. Generally, you should not experience any reduction in the penis size when erect⁶. Therefore, there is no way to tell if a man has a penile implant just by looking at the size of the penis. They offer just as much variation in size as natural penises.

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