The most significant risk with this surgery is an overflow of blood to the blood vessels of the penis, called glans hyperemia. Sometimes, this can cause ulcers. Other potential complications from surgery include: infection this section answers some frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction surgery.

A penile implant, or penile prosthesis, is a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ed). The surgery involves placing inflatable or flexible rods into the penis. Inflatable rods require a device filled with saline solution and a pump hidden in the scrotum. When you press on the pump, the saline solution travels to the device and inflates it, giving you an erection. Later, you can deflate the device again. This procedure is usually reserved for men who have tried other ed treatments without success. Most men who have the surgery are satisfied with the results. Continue reading to learn about different types of penile implants, who is a good candidate, and what you can expect after surgery.

Is erectile dysfunction surgery painful?

When lifestyle changes alone don’t work, drug therapy is normally the next step. Most of these medications work similarly to enhance a natural chemical in your body that relaxes the muscles in your penis. The goal of this medication is to increase your response to sexual stimulation by increasing the blood flow in your penis allowing you to get an erection. 22 with drug therapy, there’s a risk of side effects such as headaches, back pain or an upset stomach. Before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction, it is important to ensure your doctor is ok with that decision. Medication may not work for all men, for instance, if you have diabetes or have previously had prostate surgery.

Vascular reconstructive surgery is one way to improve blood flow to the penis to help a man with erectile dysfunction (ed) get and keep an erection. It is not recommended by the american urological association, though, since it's technically difficult, costly, and doesn’t always work.

How we reviewed this article:

American association for marriage and family therapy: 112 south alfred st. , alexandria, va 22314-3061; phone: (703) 838-9808, fax: (703) 838-9805 american association of sexuality educators, counselors and therapists : p. O. Box 5488, richmond, va 23220-0488; phone: (804) 752-0026 american cancer society : phone: (800) 227-2345 cancercare : phone: (800) 813-hope, (213) 712-8400 urology care foundation (american urological association) this article was written by ucsf medical expert alan w. Shindel, md, mas, and ucsf patient advocate stan rosenfeld. It was last reviewed in may 2022. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider.

Erectile dysfunction affects men typically with pre-existing medical conditions (noted below) as well as men aged 50 years old. The largest group affected by erectile dysfunction are patients suffering from diabetes, obesity-related disorders and after surgery (prostate or bowel surgery).

To determine a cause and treatment options, physicians evaluate a patient’s detailed medical history and look for obvious causes such as medications known to be linked to erectile dysfunction. Physicians then take into account the patient’s lifestyle, such as smoking and illicit drug use, which can affect a man’s ability to obtain an erection. Other health conditions are addressed as well. Medical history is important. For example, a man who has a history of decreased sex drive may have deficient production of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for the physical transition into manhood. It helps with gaining muscles, facial hair, and a deeper voice.