What is a penile prosthesis?
A penile prosthesis is an implant that is surgically placed inside the penis so that men with erectile dysfunction can function sexually. Two major types of penile implants are available: inflatable and semi-rigid. Of the inflatable type, two subtypes (two-piece and three-piece) are available.
Of the inflatable prostheses, the two-piece varieties consist of an inflatable cylinder piece that is implanted in the shaft of the penis and a unit stored in the scrotum that serves as both a fluid reservoir and pump unit.
The three-piece prosthesis separates the pump from the fluid reservoir, with the pump being implanted in the scrotum and the fluid reservoir being implanted under the abdominal wall. Semi-rigid implants don’t have pumps, but are positioned upward for sexual activity and downward so they’re discreet underneath clothing.