- How is the surgery done
- How is intercourse with the prosthesis
- Possible risks of placing the implant
The penile prosthesis is an implant that is placed inside the penis to produce an erection and, therefore, it can be used to treat sexual impotence in men, in cases of erectile dysfunction, paraplegia or quadriplegia, for example.
There are two main types of prosthesis:
- Semi-rigid: made with material that keeps the penis always erect, being able to be placed in 3 positions that allow intimate contact and the comfort of man during his daily life; Inflatable: it is made with 2 flexible cylinders inside the penis, which can be filled with saline to facilitate the erection, allowing it to be deflated after intimate contact.
The penile prosthesis is usually an end-of-line treatment, that is, it is recommended only for men who are unable to obtain satisfactory results with the use of drugs or other treatments, as the surgery is irreversible.
See what treatment options are available for sexual impotence.
How is the surgery done
Penile prosthesis surgery is performed by a surgeon and lasts about 45 minutes, performed under general anesthesia and therefore the hospital stay is approximately 1 to 2 days.
Recovery from surgery is relatively time-consuming and can last up to 6 weeks, after which the man will be able to initiate intimate contact, according to the doctor's instructions. During this period, some important precautions include:
- Keep the penis facing upwards to prevent it from healing folded down; Avoid intense physical activities or impact sports during the first 2 months; Do the proper hygiene of the intimate region.
However, all care must be informed by the doctor, as they may vary according to the type of prosthesis or surgery.
How is intercourse with the prosthesis
The experience of having intercourse with the penile prosthesis varies from man to man, however, it is important to keep in mind that the rigidity of the head of the penis will not change during erection, remaining soft. In addition, the natural erection stimulus usually disappears completely, and it is always necessary to use the prosthesis to achieve an erection.
As for sensitivity, nothing is changed and the man continues to be able to have an ejaculation, without compromising the ability to have children.
Possible risks of placing the implant
Although it is an increasingly used surgery, the placement of an implant can still have some risks such as:
- Infection; Rejection of the prosthesis; Adhesion of the prosthesis to the tissues inside the penis.
Because there are risks, the man should be aware of symptoms that may indicate complications, such as swelling of the penis, severe pain, redness or even pus out of the penis, for example.
If any of these symptoms arise, it is important to go back to the urologist or go to the hospital to identify the complication and start the appropriate treatment.
