Important: This page is general education, not personal medical advice.
What is a penile prosthesis?
A penile prosthesis (penile implant) is a surgical treatment option for erectile dysfunction when other treatments are not effective, not tolerated, or not desired. The most common device is a 3-piece inflatable implant.
Who may be a candidate?
- Persistent erectile dysfunction despite medication/injection/vacuum therapy, or preference for definitive treatment
- Men who understand implant surgery is generally considered irreversible
- No active systemic, skin, or urinary infection at time of surgery
- Patients counseled on realistic expectations and device mechanics
Potential benefits
- Reliable erections on demand after healing and device teaching
- High long-term satisfaction in properly selected patients and partners
- Spontaneity compared with on-demand medication in many couples
Risks and trade-offs
- Infection (uncommon but serious if it occurs)
- Mechanical device failure over years may require revision
- Pain/swelling during early healing period
- Potential perceived penile length changes after surgery
- Implant surgery is typically not reversible to natural erectile function
Typical recovery timeline
- First 1–2 weeks: soreness and swelling gradually improve
- ~2–6 weeks: follow-up visits and device teaching/activation timeline vary by surgeon
- After activation: ongoing use as instructed, with periodic follow-up as needed
Procedure video (educational)
Educational medical video content.
Source video: patient-oriented penile implant education overview.
Questions to ask your urologist
- Am I a good candidate for inflatable implant versus other ED treatments?
- What are your infection-prevention protocols and revision rates?
- What should I expect for pain, activity limits, and activation timing?
- What outcomes are realistic for me and my partner?