Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
The definitive option, with the highest satisfaction rates in the field.
A three-piece inflatable prosthesis is implanted entirely within the body and controlled by a concealed pump. Reserved for men who have exhausted other treatments — and consistently the highest-rated among them.
- Procedure
- Outpatient, 45–90 minutes
- Recovery
- 4–6 weeks before use
- Device life
- Commonly 15+ years
- Reversibility
- Not reversible
01Overview
This is the end of the treatment ladder, and it is important to understand why it sits there. Implanting a prosthesis requires removing the erectile tissue's ability to function on its own. Once done, it cannot be undone — the other treatments on this site are no longer available to you afterward.
That irreversibility is the entire reason it comes last. It is not because the results are poor. Satisfaction scores for inflatable prostheses are the highest in the field, routinely above ninety percent for both patients and their partners, because the device does exactly what it promises, every time, without planning or medication.
A three-piece device has three components, all concealed: two cylinders inside the erectile chambers, a fluid reservoir behind the abdominal wall, and a small pump within the scrotum. Squeezing the pump moves fluid into the cylinders and produces a rigid erection; a release valve returns the device to a flaccid state. Nothing is visible when you are dressed or undressed.
We do not perform this surgery ourselves. We work with a small number of high-volume reconstructive urologists and refer directly, because implant outcomes correlate strongly with surgeon volume and this is not a procedure to have done by someone who performs a handful a year.
02How it works
The mechanism, without the hand-waving.
- 01
Paired cylinders
Two inflatable cylinders are placed within the corpora cavernosa, replacing the function of the erectile tissue.
- 02
Concealed reservoir
A fluid reservoir is positioned behind the abdominal wall, entirely hidden and unnoticeable.
- 03
Scrotal pump
A small pump sits within the scrotum. Several squeezes transfer fluid into the cylinders and produce rigidity.
- 04
Release valve
Pressing the release returns fluid to the reservoir, and the penis returns to a natural flaccid appearance.
03Candidacy
Who this is for — and who it is not.
Likely a good candidate
- Men who have not achieved satisfactory results from oral, injectable, or device-based therapy
- Men with severe Peyronie's disease alongside erectile dysfunction
- Men after radical prostatectomy with no recovery of function after an adequate rehabilitation period
- Men who want a permanent, on-demand solution and understand it is irreversible
Cautions & contraindications
- Irreversible — the erectile tissue cannot be restored to natural function afterward
- Not appropriate with active infection anywhere in the body at the time of surgery
- Requires careful risk assessment in men with poorly controlled diabetes, who face higher infection rates
- Does not change sensation, orgasm, or ejaculation — it addresses rigidity only
04 — Our protocol
What actually happens, step by step.
- 01
Confirm other options are genuinely exhausted
We verify that every reversible avenue has had a fair trial. If any has not, we go back and do that first.
- 02
Referral to a high-volume surgeon
We refer to reconstructive urologists we know by name and by outcome data, and we send your complete workup with you.
- 03
Surgery
An outpatient procedure of roughly forty-five to ninety minutes, usually through a small scrotal incision, most often with same-day discharge.
- 04
Recovery and activation
Four to six weeks of healing, then a training visit where you learn to operate the device. We remain involved in your follow-up throughout.
05Risks & side effects
The part other clinics put in a footnote.
You cannot consent to something you have not been told about. Your physician will go through all of this with you again in person, and answer every question you have about it.
- Infection, occurring in roughly 1–3% of cases and typically requiring device removal
- Mechanical failure over time, with most modern devices lasting well beyond a decade
- Slight shortening of the erect length compared with natural erections before surgery
- Erosion or migration of components, which is uncommon
Can anyone tell?
No. All three components are internal. In the deflated state the penis has a natural flaccid appearance, and the pump within the scrotum is not visible or distinguishable to a partner in ordinary contact.
What happens if the device fails?
Modern devices are durable, with published survival commonly exceeding fifteen years, and a failed device can be surgically replaced. Revision surgery is more straightforward than the original implant.
Will it change orgasm or ejaculation?
No. The prosthesis restores rigidity only. Sensation, orgasm and ejaculation are governed by nerves and structures the device does not touch, and they are unchanged from your pre-surgical baseline.
Important
The information on this website is provided for general education and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Erectile dysfunction can be the first sign of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hormonal disorders. Always consult a licensed physician about your individual circumstances, and never start, stop, or change a prescription based on what you read here.
Next step
Find out whether penile implant is right for you.
Candidacy for every treatment on this site is decided by assessment, not by a questionnaire. Start with the consultation and let the findings choose.