An Overview of Penile Prosthesis as an Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
According to Dr. Mark Allen, a urologist serving the communities of Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas, “Erectile dysfunction is a problem common in men as they age. It’s a silent problem that doesn’t have to be kept silent. There is treatment for erectile dysfunction and men should explore all of their options before settling on living with a condition they believe is helpless.” Dr. Allen provides numerous erectile dysfunction treatment options, including penile prosthesis.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is termed as the inability to obtain or maintain an erection as is necessary for sexual satisfaction, also called impotence. The severity of the dysfunction varies from one man to another. One man may be able to achieve but not maintain an erection while another may not be able to obtain an erection at all. The variety of severity, and under diagnoses due to a man’s embarrassment about the issue make it hard to establish just how common erectile dysfunction is. But keeping these variables in mind, doctors have still estimated that erectile dysfunction affects 30 million men in the United States.
It is possible for erectile dysfunction to affect a man at any age, but it is pretty uncommon among men less than 40 years of age and only 5% of the national average reflects men of this age group. At age 45-50 the statistic jumps to 15%. Erectile dysfunction affects 20% of men 50-55, and 50% of men between 70-80 years of age.
Erectile dysfunction is an issue that occurs commonly as men age, but there are a few medical factors that can cause it to become more severe, or to strike at an earlier age. Urologists state that factors such as lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, and smoking directly affect the onset and severity of erectile dysfunction.
Regardless of what can be done to ward off the occurrence of erectile dysfunction, in some cases it is inevitable. The first and most important step to battling this issue is to see your urologist for an erectile dysfunction treatment. You may be in early enough stages to treat your impotence with medication. Urologists commonly prescribe medication such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, which are taken orally and may help receive an erection.
If the stage of your impotence is beyond medication then you and your doctor may decide to talk about implant treatment for erectile dysfunction. For patients with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction there is an option to receive a penile prosthesis.
What is a Penile Prosthesis?
A penile prosthesis is surgically implanted in a careful surgery and has been proven to help a man regain his ability to achieve an erection. There are currently two types of penile prosthesis, the semi-rigid non-inflatable, and the inflatable. The semi-rigid is a series of flexible rods that are surgical implanted to support the penis. With these rods, the man is able to manually place the penis in the upward position for intercourse, or downward for daily activities. The inflatable prosthesis is more complex, but also more successful. With an inflatable penile prosthesis, a pump filled with liquid is placed inside the scrotum. Then a reservoir is placed inside the penis. When a man is ready to receive an erection his simply squeezes the scrotum, and the liquid is transferred to the reservoir inside the penis which causes an erection. When the man is ready to deflate the erections he presses a release valve which returns the liquid to the pump.
Dr. Allen has a number of penile prosthesis’ to choose from. After careful consideration the decision is between the two of you to decide which option is the best for you. A few of his most commonly used prosthesis are:
AMS Spectra—This is a non-inflatable penis implant. It is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, single-use implant. It includes a pair of cylinders surgically inserted into the penis which is manually positioned by the male. It is easy to use by the male or the partner. It is totally concealed within the body, and is the easiest surgical option. Its general complaint is that it remains firm no matter the position it is placed in.
AMS Ambicor—A 2-Piece Inflatable penis implant. Consists of a pair of reservoirs implanted in the penis, and a single pump bulb implanted in the scrotum. The pump is compressed to receive an erection, and the erection is bent to deflate the prosthesis. It is totally concealed within the body, and is more natural when flaccid then the non-inflatable implant.
AMS 700 Series—A 3-piece inflatable penis implant available in a variety of sizes and models. It consists of a reservoir that is placed within the abdomen, a pump places inside the scrotum, and a pair of cylinders placed inside the penis. This prosthesis is favored among recipients because it expands the girth of the penis, and it feels most like a natural erection when compared with other implants. It is also favored because when flaccid, it looks and feels most natural.
As with all medical procedures, there are advantages and disadvantages to each of these procedures. Your urologist and yourself are the only ones who can decide which, if any of these procedures are right for. Talk to your doctor today, and look forward to feeling more confident.
For additional information on a penile prosthesis as an erectile dysfunction treatment, please contact the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas urology office of Dr. Mark Allen.
