7 Ways to Treat Erectile Dysfunction Page - 4

6. Implants

 The technology of penile implants is improving all the time. "They rival implants in other parts of the body, like the pacemaker," says Dr. Shabsigh.

There are two types of implants.

Inflatable implants (one is pictured here) are cylinders that are implanted in the erection chambers of the penis and inflated by a hydraulic pump implanted in the scrotum. (The round shape at the top of this illustration is a reservoir for feeding saline solution through the pump.)

Malleable implants are semi-rigid, bendable rods that are implanted into the penis, which can then be manipulated manually into an erect or flaccid position.

7. Surgery

 

Vascular surgery is rarely performed but may be a last resort for some men. "There are some patients who can benefit from vascular surgery, but the number is less than 1% of men who have ED," says Dr. Shabsigh. "It's the equivalent to a coronary artery bypass and there are only a handful of surgeons in the country who do it."