Penile amputation (phallectomy): 6 common doubts about surgery

Amputation of the penis, also known scientifically as penectomy or phallectomy, occurs when the male sexual organ is removed completely, being known as total, or when only a portion is removed, being known as partial.

Although this type of surgery is more frequent in cases of cancer of the penis, it may also be necessary after accidents, trauma and serious injuries, such as suffering a severe blow to the intimate region or being a victim of mutilation, for example.

In the case of men who intend to change their sex, the removal of the penis is not called amputation, since plastic surgery is performed to recreate the female sexual organ, being then called neofaloplasty.

1. Is it possible to have sex?

The way in which amputation of the penis affects intimate contact varies with the amount of penis removed. Thus, men who have had a total amputation may not have enough sexual organ to have a normal vaginal intercourse, however, there are different sex toys that can be used instead.

In the case of a partial amputation, it is usually possible to have intercourse in about 2 months, once the region is well healed. In many of these cases, the man has a prosthesis, which was inserted into the penis during surgery, or what is left of his penis is still sufficient to maintain the couple's pleasure and satisfaction.

2. Is there a way to reconstruct the penis?

In cases of cancer, during surgery, the urologist usually tries to preserve as much of the penis as possible so that it is possible to reconstruct what remains through a neophaloplasty, using skin on the arm or thigh and prostheses, for example. Learn more about how penile prostheses work.

In cases of amputation, in the vast majority of cases, the penis can be reconnected to the body, provided it is done in less than 4 hours, to prevent the death of all penile tissue and ensure higher success rates. In addition, the final appearance and success of the surgery may also depend on the type of cut, which is best when it is a smooth and clean cut.

3. Does amputation cause a lot of pain?

In addition to the very intense pain that can arise in cases of amputation without anesthesia, as in cases of mutilation, and that can even cause fainting, after recovery many men may experience phantom pain in the place where the penis was. This type of pain is very common in amputees, because the mind takes a long time to adapt to the loss of a limb, ending up creating discomfort during the day-to-day as tingling in the amputated region or pain, for example.

4. Does the libido remain the same?

The sexual appetite in men is regulated through the production of the hormone testosterone, which happens mainly in the testicles. Thus, men who perform amputations without removing their testicles can continue to experience the same libido as before.

Although it may seem like a positive point, in the case of men who have had a total amputation and who cannot undergo reconstruction of the penis, this situation can cause great frustration, since they have greater difficulty in responding to their sexual desire. Thus, in these cases, the urologist may recommend removing the testicles as well.

5. Is it possible to have an orgasm?

In most cases, men who have had a penis amputation may have an orgasm, however, it can be more difficult to achieve, since the vast majority of nerve endings are found in the head of the penis, which is usually removed.

However, stimulation of the mind and touching the skin around the intimate region may also be able to produce an orgasm.

6. How is the bathroom used?

After removing the penis, the surgeon tries to reconstruct the urethra, so that the urine continues to flow in the same way as before, without causing changes in the man's life. However, in cases where it is necessary to remove the entire penis, the urethral orifice can be replaced under the testicles and, in these cases, it is necessary to eliminate urination while sitting on the toilet, for example.