Life with a penile implant
5 things only these guys can tell you
I didn’t know how much it was affecting me.
In his 20s and 30s, John could achieve an erection, but not sustain it. “I felt mentally defeated, worthless and depressed – but I didn’t connect it to the ED,” said John. “At the time, there was a lot of stigma around ED.” He tried pills, injections and a penile pump and while he still enjoyed sex, something was missing. When John was diagnosed with ED at 50, everything fell into place. He now feels that apart from having his children, it’s the best choice he’s made. “Sex is so important,” said John. “When you have an implant, you have control of your sex life, your penis does not.”
The feeling is the same.
Colin was only 17 when he was diagnosed with ED, so he was very relieved that he still had sensation in his penis after getting a Titan® Penile Implant. “As far as the feeling with the implant, it’s exactly the same [as before the implant],” said Colin.1,2 “The sensitivity is still there; your ability to ejaculate is still the same.” This could be part of the reason that the satisfaction rate of men who have the Titan implant is 98%.3
No one needs to know.
As a patient advocate, John heard men, especially single men, express concern that “everyone will know” they have an implant. “They worry that they will have to tell women, or that it will be obvious at the gym or when they wear a swimsuit,” said John. “The truth is that no one needs to know unless you want them to.” Inflatable implants deflate almost completely so whether by the pool or in the locker room, there’s virtually no evidence of the implant.5 Pumping and deflating the Titan implant can be accomplished quickly and discretely one-handed with a little practice.
I wish I hadn’t waited so long.
When we talked to Stan, who suffered from erectile dysfunction (ED) following an unrelated operation, he had one piece of advice for men with ED: Use it or lose it. Stan is referring to the penile shrinkage that results from prolonged untreated ED. Shrinkage can occur as a result of disuse atrophy that causes smooth muscle – like the muscle that surrounds the penis – to atrophy.1
No more planning needed.
Tony, who found a solution for his ED with the Titan implant after prostate cancer treatment, says after receiving the implant, “We have a good time, we don’t have to plan anything.” Before moving forward with the penile implant, Tony tried other ED treatments including oral medications and penile injections without success. On top of this, when planning for trips, he and his wife Cece would have to make sure they packed pills or had a way to keep injections refrigerated. Having the implant, no more planning is needed and there’s no more trying to wait for oral medications to kick in.4 Tony’s wife Cece says, “It’s the best decision that we’ve made so far. Through the erectile dysfunction and the Viagra and the Cialis and the pump, we decided to make the decision [to move forward with the Titan implant] and we are very, very happy with and very pleased with the final results.”
This information reflects the experience of several men with Titan. Coloplast invites men to share their stories, and in some cases, provides compensation for their time. Each person’s situation is unique; your experience may not be the same. Talk with your doctor about whether this product is right for you.
Find a local implant doctor
If you are ready to talk to a doctor about the possibility of receiving a penile implant, use our physician directory to find a qualified urologist specializing in erectile dysfunction (ED) near you.
Talk to someone who has been through it
Want to talk to someone who has received a penile implant? Set up a call with one of our Patient Educators. These men and their partners have found a solution for erectile dysfunction with a penile implant – and they’re ready to share their experiences with you.
References
1 Xie D, Nicholas M, Gheiler V, Perito D, Siano L, Kislinger I, Nehrenz GM, Klopukh B, Bianco FJ, Perito P, Gheiler E. A prospective evaluation of penile measures and glans penis sensory changes after penile prosthetic surgery. Transl Androl Urol. 2017 Jun;6(3):529-533.
2 Coleman E, Listiak A, Braatz G, Lange P. Effects of penile implant surgery on ejaculation and orgasm. J Sex Marital Ther. 1985 Fall;11(3):199-205.
3 Garber BB. Mentor Alpha 1 inflatable penile prosthesis: patient satisfaction and device reliability. Urology. 1994 Feb;43(2):214-7. doi: 10.1016/0090-4295(94)90047-7. PMID: 8116118.
4 Burnett AL; Nehra A; Breau RH, et al. Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline. J Urol. Sep 2018;200(3):633-641.
5 Data on file at Coloplast.
PM-35373
Important safety information
Titan® & Titan Touch Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
The Titan Inflatable Penile Prosthesis is a surgically implanted mechanical penile implant intended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. The Titan implant is a 3-piece fluid-filled system manually operated to produce and sustain an erection for sexual intercourse.
Indications
The Titan Inflatable Penile Prosthesis is indicated for male patients with erectile dysfunction who are considered to be candidates for implantation of a penile prosthesis.
Contraindications
The Titan implant is not for use in patients who have one or more of the following conditions: 1) have an active infection, particularly urinary tract or genital infection, 2) are sensitive or allergic to silicone or polyurethane, 3) have ongoing difficulty urinating or emptying the bladder (e.g., bladder outlet obstruction or neurogenic bladder), or 4) unwilling to undergo any further surgery for device revision.
Warnings
Patients should consider the warnings, precautions and potential complications associated with the use of this product, which may include the following: potential for resurgery (note: device is not a lifetime implant). Implantation makes latent natural erections, as well as other interventional treatment options, impossible. Implantation may result in penile shortening, curvature or scarring. Pre-existing abdominal or penile scarring or contracture may make surgical implantation more complicated or impractical. Diabetic, as well as immunocompromised patients, may have an increased risk of infection which could result in permanent damage to tissue/organs. Excessive stresses from rigorous exercise and vigorous masturbation/intercourse could lead to device damage. Certain stresses and pressures (straddle seating, obesity, etc.) could lead to involuntary inflation or deflation. Post-implant penile size, girth and angle can vary based on patient anatomy, implant size, level of inflation, and presence of Peyronie’s disease.
Precautions
Patients with spinal cord injury may have an increased risk of infection. This device may be used to treat erectile dysfunction in the presence of Peyronie’s disease. Although the implant is not visible, depending on the placement (submuscular) the reservoir may be palpable.
Patients should consider the following factors which could lead to increased risk of failure and can be critical to the eventual success of the procedure: ability and willingness of the patient to follow instructions; associated psychological status (e.g., psychogenic erectile dysfunction, inappropriate attitude or motivation); health conditions which hamper sexual activity (such as severe angina) may prevent successful use of this device; manual dexterity problems; and lack sufficient manual dexterity or strength necessary to operate the device.
Impact injuries to the pelvic or abdominal areas (e.g., sports injuries) can result in damage to the implant which may necessitate replacement of the device. Contracture of tissue around the pump can cause unnatural firmness in the scrotum and involuntary inflation or deflation. The device may fail to deflate and/or deflation of the device may be slow or difficult for some patients. Device malfunctions may result in the inability to inflate or deflate the device. Removal of the device without timely reimplantation of a new implant may complicate subsequent reimplantation.
Potential Complications
Adverse events are known to occur with penile protheses procedures and implants; some may require revision surgery or removal of the implant. Adverse events following penile protheses implantation may be new onset (de novo), persistent, worsening, transient, or permanent.
Adverse events may include but are not limited to: inability to pull foreskin back from tip of uncircumcised penis (acquired phimosis); abnormal wound healing/adhesion/scar tissue; bladder storage symptoms/urinary retention; tightening, shortening, deformity or curvature of penis (capsular contracture, induration); discomfort/pain; injury to tissue or organs (perforation/erosion/extrusion) resulting in damage or loss of tissue (necrosis); open tunnel between tissue or organs (fistula); foreign body reaction/allergic reaction/sensitivity; bleeding/hemorrhage or collection of blood or fluid outside of tissue or vessels (hematoma/seroma); hernia; Infection/urinary tract infection; redness or swelling (inflammation/edema); difficult or painful intercourse (dyspareunia/sexual dysfunction); obstruction/occlusion; numbness or decreased sensation (e.g., hypoesthesia); and urinary incontinence. The occurrence of these events may require one or more subsequent surgeries which may or may not always fully correct the complication.
This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Discuss the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits of the various options to determine if an inflatable penile implant is right for you.
Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
PM-15451 / Feb 2024