The phrase erectile dysfunction, or ED, is oftentimes said in hushed tones and with a sense of embarrassment. The taboo around this condition leaves many people confused and misinformed about ED treatment options. However, there are many new and innovative treatment options—including a penile implant—that may provide relief to men who are actively seeking a solution to their erectile dysfunction.
Men with ED often feel isolated and by their condition, failing to realize that up to 40 percent of men between the ages of 40 and 70 experience ED. Within this group, about one-third of the men do not respond to medications like Viagra.
Outside of the little blue pill and other medications that resemble Viagra, there are two other interventions that are currently being used for ED treatment. One effective method is an inflatable penile implant, allowing the patient to have full control over when the penis becomes erect. However, the surgery for this implant is quite complicated and has concerning side effects.
The other option—a malleable implant-- is less invasive and significantly cheaper, but the downside is that it makes the penis erect at all times, has the tendency to change shape when being used, and can even cause tissue damage.
Recognizing the need for a more effective treatment plan, researchers such as Brian Le from the Department of Urology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have been investigating alternative options.
With the help of his colleagues, Le has developed a new penile implant prototype that could forever change the way doctors treat ED. This innovative erectile dysfunction implant design uses an exoskeleton made from Nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy that is known for its elasticity.
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| Erectile dysfunction symptoms occur in every age group of men. Source: nih.gov |
How Does It Work?
The penile implant was designed with shape memory and heat activation. What this means is that the alloy implant remains flaccid at body temperature, but the Nitinol exoskeleton “remembers” a specific shape that it is supposed to form when activated by heat.
The idea here is for doctors to implant the penile exoskeleton so that while unstimulated, both the penis and the exoskeleton remain flaccid. However, once the patient is in need of an erection, he can place a remote-controlled device over his penis that will heat the Nitinol and cause it to expand in length and girth. This will ultimately give the patient an erect penis while also giving him the control over both the timing and duration of his erection.
This new design provides men with the opportunity to safely have an erection while also giving them the chance to feel like they have greater control over their body.
What to Do If You Have ED
As we wait for this new erectile dysfunction implant to undergo more testing, begin talking with your doctor now about treatments for ED. Try non-invasive options like medications or penile pumps. If that does not work, start discussing whether a more serious solution is necessary for your ED. With the help of your doctor and the innovation of researchers like Le, there are now many different approaches available to combat ED.
