What is a penile implant (penile prosthesis)?

Men's Health Georgia is a Coloplast Center of Excellence since 2016.

The implants we place: Coloplast inflatable and malleable

Men's Health Georgia offers both inflatable and malleable penile implants, Coloplast brand only. Our inflatable implants are the Titan® Touch and Titan® OTR. The Titan Touch and Titan OTR are inflatable implants with three parts: fluid-filled cylinders in the penis, a small pump in the scrotum and a reservoir.

• Inflating: you press the pump bulb in the scrotum to fill the cylinders, and you control the firmness by pumping until you are satisfied with the erection.
• At rest: when deflated, the penis appears relaxed and normal, and it is not obvious by looking at a man that he has an implant.
• Who it is for: men with ED where other treatments are not appropriate or have not worked.

How does a penile implant work?

An inflatable implant is a closed, fluid-filled system. Squeezing the pump in the scrotum moves fluid from the reservoir into two cylinders in the penis, which makes the penis firm. Pressing the release on the pump lets the fluid flow back to the reservoir, and the penis relaxes. A malleable implant has no fluid: two bendable rods keep the penis firm, and you bend it up for intercourse and down the rest of the time.

What does a penile implant look like?

No part of the implant is visible. The cylinders or rods sit inside the penis, and with an inflatable implant the pump sits in the scrotum, where it feels like a small, soft object. Small incision scars are usually covered as hair grows back.

Living with an implant

• Discreet: the implant is completely inside the body. Small incision scars are usually covered as hair grows back.
• Orgasm: you should be able to have an orgasm if you could before surgery, unless another medical problem affects it. Ask your physician about your expected outcome.
• No spontaneous erections: placing the cylinders removes the spongy erectile tissue, so natural erections are not expected afterward.
• Size: implants are not designed to make the penis longer or wider, and some men notice a slight decrease in length.
• MRI: the Titan implant is MRI-conditional. See the FAQ for the conditions.

Inflatable and malleable implants

Penile implants come in two main types. Inflatable implants are filled from a pump so the penis can be firm or relaxed. Malleable implants are bendable rods that stay firm. Men's Health Georgia offers both types, Coloplast brand only; read the full guides to inflatable implants and malleable implants.

Cost and insurance

Many insurance plans cover a penile implant when it is medically necessary. See penile implant cost and insurance.

Device warranty

Coloplast offers a replacement policy on its penile implants.

Watch

Coloplast Titan Touch patient demonstration video (Vimeo): how to inflate and deflate the implant.

Penile prosthesis questions

What is a penile prosthesis?

A penile prosthesis is another name for a penile implant: a device surgically placed inside the penis that lets a man with erectile dysfunction have an erection for intercourse.

How does a penile implant work?

An inflatable implant moves fluid from a small reservoir into two cylinders in the penis when you squeeze a pump in the scrotum, creating an erection. Pressing the release lets the fluid flow back so the penis relaxes. A malleable implant is a pair of bendable rods that you position by hand.

Do penile implants work?

A penile implant creates an erection mechanically, so it works regardless of what caused the ED. Like any device it can have mechanical problems, and like any surgery it has risks, which your surgeon will review with you.

What does a penile implant look like?

From the outside it does not look like anything: the implant is completely inside the penis and scrotum. With an inflatable implant the penis looks relaxed when deflated. The pump feels like a small, soft object in the scrotum.

Is a penile implant the same as a penile pump?

No. A vacuum erection device ("penis pump") is an external device used before sex. An inflatable penile implant has a small pump that sits inside the scrotum as part of the implant.

Does a penile implant make the penis bigger?

No. A penile implant treats erectile dysfunction; it is not designed to add length or girth.