4 Tips for Getting Used to a Penile Implant

Sex is a big part of life, but it can be a source of frustration if you have erectile dysfunction (ED) that doesn’t respond well to medications or lifestyle changes.

Between 30 and 50 million men in the United States struggle with ED, and many of them are looking for solutions. 

Penile implants help millions of men hit the reset button on their sex lives. Should you choose this route, you’ll be in excellent hands with board-certified urology specialist Dr. Robert J. Cornell, who has used penile implants to help many patients overcome erectile dysfunction.

Once you undergo your penile implant procedure, here are some tips to help you transition to a slightly new way of having intercourse.

1. Be patient during recovery

We mostly perform penile implant procedures on an outpatient basis, so you likely won’t face any hospital recovery time. That said, there will be some recovery at home.

During this period, we ask that you follow our postoperative instructions with care. These include ice and heat packs, as well as making sure that the pump stays in a good position in your scrotum (you will position it daily).

You should also count on no heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks, and no sexual activity, including masturbation, for 6 weeks.

2. Practice makes perfect

Once we give you the green light for sexual activity, we recommend you practice a little bit on your own. Since 90% of penile implants are three-piece versions with pumps, we’re going to focus on those.

Either on your own or with your partner, practice inflating and deflating the device to get used to the sensation and positioning of the pump.

These practice sessions will also help you realize that the implant won’t interfere with arousal and ejaculation — it simply facilitates the erection piece of the sexual intercourse puzzle. Everything else should function normally once you get past any initial performance anxiety with the penile implant.

3. Be open with your partner

We’ve found that open communications between partners during the transition period for a penile implant to be especially useful. While our penile implants are designed to be used discreetly, which you may prefer if you have a new partner, discussing it shouldn’t be taboo. After all, you’re being proactive about your sex life — for your and your partner’s benefit — and that’s something you needn’t hide.

4. Experimenting is good

Many of our patients report that they’ve experimented with the penile implant and found it to be an exciting new aspect of their sexual activity. For example, instead of ignoring its existence, many men get their partners involved in activating and controlling the implant.  

Have more questions?

If you have more questions about navigating the early days of a penile implant, we’re just a phone call or click away. For questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Houston office to schedule an appointment.