44 Considering Implant

[Cm2756]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently 44. I've been having ED issues for 5-6 years now. Back then I had no issues getting an erection. But half of the time I couldn't maintain it. Saw my urologist at the time and he gave me 5 mg of Cialis and said to take one every other day. That worked pretty well for a couple years. Still had issues losing my erection sometimes bit I was generally happy. About a year and a half ago it started to get worse and I started taking 5 mg daily. That worked for awhile as well but for the past 6 months I've been having issues more and more. I've tried adding another 5 mg cialis before sex (10 total) and still having the same problem. Again I get rock hard in the beginning but I just lose it. Especially when changing positions or if we stop for whatever reason.

I ended up going to Dr. Karpman to see if I could do shockwave treatment. He suggested doing an ultrasound first because my symptoms sounded like a venous leak. I got the ultrasound and Dr Karpman said I have a pretty bad venous leak. I had a feeling that was it but damn this sucks. He said I actually have really good blood flow and thats been compensating for the leak but it's only going to get worse over time. He highly suggested getting an implant. He also said that guys like me will try to have sex with a semi hard penis which could possibly lead to peronyies and he'd have to fix that as well and I should just fix the problem now before it comes to that.

I have full trust in Dr Karpman, I know he's one of the best. My question is...for those of you who could still get it up somewhat but it was clearly going to get worse sooner rather than later...do you regret getting an implant? I stopped taking my daily Cialis for a couple days and damn...my natural erection has gotten quite weak, it's rather depressing. So I think I'm going to do it. My wife is fully supportive, I'm worried she will look at me differently but I think that's just in my head. If anyone in a similar situation could offer advice, their experience, etc it would be much appreciated.

[Lost Sheep]

Welcome to the forum, Cm2756.

I had the same symptoms, but occurring over a much longer period of time. From my late 30s to mid 60s.

Switching medications worked for a time. I started using Viagra and it worked for a couple years and lost effectiveness. Then another erection oral pill and another. There were only three in common use at that time. By the time Tadalafil stopped working well (I did not try going back to Viagra/Sildenafil to see if its effectiveness might have returned.) I discovered that an implant was a possibility. I now have an implant with which I am fully satisfied. My lover is satisfied, too, but that is 75% attributable to full communication and only 25% attributable to the implant. Women are incredibly supportive if they feel loved, respected, trusted and safe.

I could have opted for a vacuum erection device with constriction rings, urethral suppositories or penile injections. They would certainly have worked but for a number of personal reasons (including my age) I went directly to implant. Anyone considering an implant, especially younger men, should also consider the less-invasive options. Getting an implant permanently leaves you impotent (if/when the implant fails) and there is no going back. You are forever precluded from access to any new treatment that comes along (i.e. a true and effective treatment for venous leakage). Slim chance, that, but at 44 years, might have potential for you. Right now, you are like a runner who, on bad ankles, can manage a mile in 30 minutes, but with amputation and prosthetic feet can do a mile in 6. But if the prostheses fail, are wheelchair bound until replacement.

If your penile prosthesis' operation failed totally and left you with no erectile function at all, forever, would you regret losing what you have now? For me the answer was "no". So, I opted for the implant.

It is a big step. Good luck.

p.s. While I was searching for a surgeon I would trust, I investigated (and corresponded with) Dr Eid, Dr Kramer and a couple of local surgeons as well as traveled to Seattle to consult with one there. I did find Dr Karpman was one I would have considered. He is reputed to be one of the best on the West coast. I think you are in good hands with him.

[Gt1956]

Cm2756, Karpman is telling you the truth. ED is a progressive disease. Once it starts it continues to get worse. The general path is pills, shots then an implant. Pills & shots work very well, sometimes for a long time. In my case pills only worked for a few months. Do I regret trying pills, no. But I do regret the long time it took me to find an implant dr. Until I found FT I had no luck finding one. So I do regret not getting an implant before Covid hit. The lack of hospital space slowed down implants.
Btw, the only people that I see that says shockwave works are the same people taking your money. My advice, forget about alternative might work treatments.

[Drhite]

I'm 45 and was in the same boat. Got to using trimix with mix results... BUT like most have said ED is progressive... drugs will stop working at some point.

However, my biggest regret for not fighting to get my implant sooner is the progressive damage to the penis with ED. I was over 6" when I had rock hard erections that could go on. At the worst point, I shrunk to 5". Using VED, traction past year I got back to 5.5" but ED was only getting worse cause I couldn't maintain it, especially with vigorous sex.

I think the fact that its on your mind will only make ED worse for you psychologically.... did for me. That anxiety....sucks.

I wouldn't doubt for a second about getting an implant much sooner... its all give and take...

I'm still working out issues with pump placement with my doc, I was at 4"x4" immediately post-op, still haven't gotten my Glans engorgement back nor normal orgasms.... but I'm only 10 weeks post op.

Aggressively cycling past month has gotten me to 5"x4.5"... Measuring externally the implant is only about 15cm, I have 18.5 cm installed... so Only getting better.

Orgasms are getting better. So is the glans...

BEST PART of it all is being rock hard for 2 hours and aggressively having sex with my GF has made her orgasm like never before. No anxiety... just keep pounding... is a great core workout

Seriously tho, IPP really needs to start being a primary level treatment and not of last resort.

[Time2Change]

As the other guys have said, it's only going to get worse.

Pills lose their effectiveness.

If I had known about implants when I was 44, I would have gotten one then.

Your wife will look at you differently because you'll be able to fuck her hard whenever, wherever, and however you want.

[Drhite]

As the other guys have said, it's only going to get worse.

Pills lose their effectiveness.

If I had known about implants when I was 44, I would have gotten one then.

Your wife will look at you differently because you'll be able to fuck her hard whenever, wherever, and however you want.

100% Ill sacrifice some size to be bionic! Its scary at first. But this past week was the first time Ive been able to have sex aggressively with tolerable discomfort and ITS AMAZING TO SEE HER CUM OVER AND OVER.

I'm planning on girth enhancements with Perito to make up for the loss. Can't wait to see her reaction

[Witheringhog]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently 44. I've been having ED issues for 5-6 years now. Back then I had no issues getting an erection. But half of the time I couldn't maintain it. Saw my urologist at the time and he gave me 5 mg of Cialis and said to take one every other day. That worked pretty well for a couple years. Still had issues losing my erection sometimes bit I was generally happy. About a year and a half ago it started to get worse and I started taking 5 mg daily. That worked for awhile as well but for the past 6 months I've been having issues more and more. I've tried adding another 5 mg cialis before sex (10 total) and still having the same problem. Again I get rock hard in the beginning but I just lose it. Especially when changing positions or if we stop for whatever reason.

I ended up going to Dr. Karpman to see if I could do shockwave treatment. He suggested doing an ultrasound first because my symptoms sounded like a venous leak. I got the ultrasound and Dr Karpman said I have a pretty bad venous leak. I had a feeling that was it but damn this sucks. He said I actually have really good blood flow and thats been compensating for the leak but it's only going to get worse over time. He highly suggested getting an implant. He also said that guys like me will try to have sex with a semi hard penis which could possibly lead to peronyies and he'd have to fix that as well and I should just fix the problem now before it comes to that.

I have full trust in Dr Karpman, I know he's one of the best. My question is...for those of you who could still get it up somewhat but it was clearly going to get worse sooner rather than later...do you regret getting an implant? I stopped taking my daily Cialis for a couple days and damn...my natural erection has gotten quite weak, it's rather depressing. So I think I'm going to do it. My wife is fully supportive, I'm worried she will look at me differently but I think that's just in my head. If anyone in a similar situation could offer advice, their experience, etc it would be much appreciated.

Very similar for me, i was 49 when i got the implant, and around 45 when ED started. Soooo happy with the implant, its great and I highly recommend.

[Cm2756]

I'm 45 and was in the same boat. Got to using trimix with mix results... BUT like most have said ED is progressive... drugs will stop working at some point.

However, my biggest regret for not fighting to get my implant sooner is the progressive damage to the penis with ED. I was over 6" when I had rock hard erections that could go on. At the worst point, I shrunk to 5". Using VED, traction past year I got back to 5.5" but ED was only getting worse cause I couldn't maintain it, especially with vigorous sex.

I think the fact that its on your mind will only make ED worse for you psychologically.... did for me. That anxiety....sucks.

I wouldn't doubt for a second about getting an implant much sooner... its all give and take...

I'm still working out issues with pump placement with my doc, I was at 4"x4" immediately post-op, still haven't gotten my Glans engorgement back nor normal orgasms.... but I'm only 10 weeks post op.

Aggressively cycling past month has gotten me to 5"x4.5"... Measuring externally the implant is only about 15cm, I have 18.5 cm installed... so Only getting better.

Orgasms are getting better. So is the glans...

BEST PART of it all is being rock hard for 2 hours and aggressively having sex with my GF has made her orgasm like never before. No anxiety... just keep pounding... is a great core workout

Seriously tho, IPP really needs to start being a primary level treatment and not of last resort.

Your comment on the psychology/anxiety…that hit home. Every time I have sex all I do is worry about whether it’s going down or not. It’s hard to even enjoy it anymore and be in the moment. I’m over it. The thought of never having to worry about that again sounds really frickin awesome.

Karpman actually mentioned scarring from injections. When they injected me with trimix for the ultrasound. My penis got hard, but then cycled between dropping a bit then getting hard again. Which was exactly what he said would happen if I had a venous leak. By the time I met with him after the scan he said “see you’re already spongy down there.” If that’s what happens when I inject myself I may as well skip that step and save myself time and scarring.

I didn’t realize that you lose length and girth over time with ED…it would be nice to spare myself of that by doing this now.

[Cm2756]

I really appreciate the responses guys. At this point I’m leaning towards going through with it.

I guess I can still try switching to viagra but I just feel like the problem is a ticking time bomb. Even if it works it will only work half the time for me, then in a couple years I’ll be in the same position.

If I just do it now, I can just enjoy fucking my wife without worry. It will be better for me and her.

[Lost Sheep]

I really appreciate the responses guys. At this point I’m leaning towards going through with it.

I guess I can still try switching to viagra but I just feel like the problem is a ticking time bomb. Even if it works it will only work half the time for me, then in a couple years I’ll be in the same position.

If I just do it now, I can just enjoy fucking my wife without worry. It will be better for me and her.

That is what I did. No regrets. 25 years older than you, but if I knew at 44 what I knew at 69 (which would have required prescience, of course) I would have pursued implant then.

Consider this, though. If Viagra/Sildenafil works for a year, that could fill in the period of time you wait for surgery.

Whatever you do, consider using a vacuum erection device therapeutically to keep those penile tissues flushed with healthy blood, elastic and stretched to full size. Not for sex and not using constriction rings. Just therapeutically.