New here: my implant consideration

[C_lab34]

Hey everyone, thought I'd introduce myself and thank this forum for being such a wonderful resource. Every account has been invaluable to me in my research, bringing me closer to a decision that will, I hope, change my life for the better. To begin, I'm 28 years old, with lifelong ED. I do not know how or why I've been this way, but I can remember it even in my mid teens. I would initially get erect quickly, but then lose it almost immediately. I never woke up with morning erections, and I didn't even know I wasn't normal until I started paying attention to what the other boys in my class were saying. My first sexual experience with a girl was obviously a disaster; no erectile response and nothing I could do about it. I was devastated. Urologists in my area were of no help whatsoever; in their minds an 18 year just doesn't have organic ED, so it had to be psychological. I went to a therapist, and though the talking did help me in some ways, it did not alleviate the dysfunction.

After seeing a couple of urologists who all gave me the same treatment, which is to say no treatment at all, at the ripe old age of twenty I gave up trying to find a cure or even find out why I functioned so poorly. What I did not give up on, nevertheless, was girls. My libido was just too strong, and though I was constantly embarrassed and anxious about my penis, I still pursued and seduced as many women as I could. I found a way of working around my ED, and was able to have penetrative sex as long as I carefully managed the positions and the timing of everything. I could then, and still now, maintain decent, probably 70 percent erections, with steady stimulation in either a sitting, standing, or leaning forward position. No girl on top, as I lose it immediately. I do not get very hard from foreplay so I developed a technique of self stimulation that would get me hard, and I would often have the girl lay on her back and play with herself until I was ready. I tried to make it fun and not fret about it while it happened, and I have to say, I have had many positive sexual experiences and lots of satisfied partners. I'm not talking about this to brag, but these details are important when taking into consideration the possibility of implantation. The basic point here is that though I do have ED, I have still maintained a very active sex life, however with many limitations.

I operated in the same basic way until about a year and a half ago, when I noticed that my already not so strong erections were getting weaker, and that more and more stimulation and straining was needed just to keep things going. In a misguided attempt to cure myself, or at least make things easier, I started using a vacuum erection device with no medical oversight or a proper understanding of its dangers. Using the pump not only didn't help, it made things worse, though it took me about a month to realize this. I had, without even knowing it, damaged my erectile tissue, most likely by using excessive pressure too quickly. It never hurt while I was doing it, but in retrospect I just didn't ease into it and wasn't careful enough with my already faulty member. The consequence of this was a further drop in erectile ability, and even worse, a slight decrease in size circumferentially. Now, my partners did not notice this, but I surely did. It felt different in the flaccid state, harder and more tense, and just wouldn't swell up quite the same way. I probably lost about a 1/4 to maybe 1/2 an inch in girth, and was even suicidal for awhile. It may seem extreme and dramatic, but I didn't want to live. My girth was the one thing I liked about my penis, and I thought I had lost it. In reality I hadn't lost so much that the sensations of sex had changed, but I was so sensitive already to my shortcomings that I could barely handle the change.

This latest development compelled me to research the penis, it's disorders, and treatment options. I dove into the internet and scoured and scrounged, finding this forum among others. I learned about the implant and stem cell therapy. I have researched for about a year now, and have even tried PRP, which is a low grade form of stem cell therapy. It did nothing for me as I suspected, but I couldn't resist trying. From what I've seen, Stem cells are a hail mary pass, likely to get swatted down. It's just not something to pin my hopes on, and I don't think it's worth waiting the considerable time it will take for true advances to be made. I have taken Viagra and Cialis, and currently take a low dose of Cialis just to help a bit with firmness. These drugs do help somewhat, but I also experience the side effects of flushing, stuffy nose, headaches, and sometimes lower back pain. I do not want to take these drugs just to get sub par erections that I still have to work hard to maintain.

This is where you come in, brothers of the forum. I'd like feedback on my condition and insight into how exactly you would proceed if you were in my place. I think I'm a pretty rare case for my age and lifestyle. I'm technically single, but getting and sleeping with women is no problem for me, and something I very much enjoy. The only thing that makes it nerve-wracking is the ED, which I can manage in a way, and still have sex, though with many limitations and some frustration. I have, since my teenage years, dreamed of a hands free, worry free erection, which is something I've never experienced. I think the implant can give me this, though possible complications make me very nervous, and make me wonder if I truly need to take the risk. When it comes to the penis(ha), state of mind is always a factor. I'm not going to die from this condition, and it hasn't even stopped me from dating. However, it is a major psychological burden that I carry with me everyday, and I'm getting tired, guys, real tired. I've talked to Andrew Kramer on the phone and was really impressed with how comfortable he made me feel, and I'm looking into who exactly I want to do this for me, but in the meantime I'd like to hear what you guys think. I sincerely thank anyone who trudges through this heavy chunk of writing.

[dg_moore]

You seem to have maintained a very positive and optimistic attitude in the face of all you've experienced. I know from experience what it's like to have a doctor conclude "it's all in your head." I'm no doctor, but an implant may well turn out to be the solution you're seeking. I would suggest seeing the best urologist specializing in ED that you can find and get a proper examination and diagnosis. You don't mention where you're located, but there are first rate uro's across the country. One good place to look would be the urology department at teaching hospitals - my doctor is Andrew Kramer at the U of MD Medical Center in Baltimore. He is known as one of the "high volume" implant surgeons, but he is also a caring physician who looks at all aspects of each case. There are other doctors who take the same approach - finding one you like should be your first step.

[NickNickNick]

C_lab Implants are usually considered last resort, have you tried injections? There's caverject, bimix, trimix and quadmix injections. They didn't work for me but they might for you.

[wolfpacker]

As a user above me said, you should definitely try injections first. First of all, injecting PGE1 alone is known to increase girth over time. This will help ensure that you're at maximum size when the implant is put in. PGE1 is also known as Caverject, Edex or Alprostadil. Bimix and Trimix are combination drugs that contain PGE1 and other drugs, but I think PGE1 alone is the one with enlargement properties.

My second tip is to be aware that implants can cause erosion over time. That is, the layers of skin between the implant and the outside of your penis can wear away, leading to the implant protruding out of your penis. This is rare and an extreme case, but I mention it because you are very young. You would probably expect to be using the implant for at least 50 more years if you got implanted now. No one has ever been implanted for that long, so we don't know how your body will handle it.

I dont mean to scare you, just to reinforce that you should definitely try injections and pills until they stop working for you.

[C_lab34]

I am aware that implants are considered the last resort. I do not like the idea of injections for several reasons. One, I already have scarring in my penis and would rather not risk increasing internal damage or acquiring peyronies. I am also aware of reports that pg-1 will increase girth but it isn't documented at all and there is no literature that I know of that backs that up. If you can provide me with links of evidence showing the contrary, I will gladly look over it. Finally, with my lifestyle, injections are beyond impractical. I am not married and have no intentions of entering into such an arrangement. I don't even really intend to have a steady girlfriend, though I'm not totally opposed. Point being, I can't be lugging around vials and needles on the kinds of adventures that I go on. I appreciate the responses so far. I am worried about the need for revision or replacement as I'm very young. I just really don't like the alternatives at all.

[stanri]

I am aware that implants are considered the last resort. I do not like the idea of injections for several reasons. One, I already have scarring in my penis and would rather not risk increasing internal damage or acquiring peyronies. I am also aware of reports that pg-1 will increase girth but it isn't documented at all and there is no literature that I know of that backs that up. If you can provide me with links of evidence showing the contrary, I will gladly look over it. Finally, with my lifestyle, injections are beyond impractical. I am not married and have no intentions of entering into such an arrangement. I don't even really intend to have a steady girlfriend, though I'm not totally opposed. Point being, I can't be lugging around vials and needles on the kinds of adventures that I go on. I appreciate the responses so far. I am worried about the need for revision or replacement as I'm very young. I just really don't like the alternatives at all.

I just had a implant 8 days ago, still early but I say so far, so good. I had ED for TWENTY years, I'm 80 years old. Went through pills, didn't work. Tried a Vacuum pump, HATED it. Injections work, most of the time. But the idea of lugging vials and needles around was a royal pain in the ass. Finally decided to take the final step, the implant. It's much to early try it out. Bottom line consult a good uro and talk to him about it. Now days its not necessary to go through life with an unsatisfactory sex life. Any questions, feel free to get back to me here or by private message

[upandhard]

Welcome to the forum man. Just a few observations. There is a school of thought these days supporting the position that the implant should not necessarily be considered the last resort. It was not for me. Although I experienced moderate success with the pills and the VED, I was NOT injecting my penis with anything. Just my preference. I was implanted 3 weeks ago today and could not be happier. Without a doubt this was the right decision for me (I already know this despite not having been fully activated yet). Do your due diligence; research it thoroughly. This is an intensely personal decision that only you can make for yourself. Only you know how much more ED you can bear. Once you are satisfied that this is the right move for you, find the right surgeon for you (preferably one who has done a ton of these and one with whom you are most comfortable) and go for it! Kramer was the one for me although there are many others.

[p1s8d2]

Welcome. First of all, I am not that much older than you. I was 36 when I started to explore my other options after pills were losing their effectiveness. I sought out the best urologist I could find and ended up with Dr. Arurhur Burnett at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. What makes him different is that he is a research scientist as well as a surgeon. So, before I settled on an implant, his team conducted a series of exams, tests and ultrasounds to try and determine the cause. So, at 38, after determining my ED was due to venous leak, I was implanted. By far the best decision of my life in terms of my sexual and mental health. It is easy to use and satisfying for both me and my partner. She can't get enough of it. PM me with any further questions. P1

[NickNickNick]

C_labs did you try MUSE (urethral suppositories)? Otherwise i say go for the implant.

[ED2013]

I struggled with Ed as well for as long as I can remember. I was tested and diagnosed with venous leak. I tried injections, and caused scarring. I got implanted in October 2013 and I am happy. My advice to you is to get tested. If you have venous leak, go with a top surgeon and get implanted.