Bionic penis: The 'mechanical' way to deal with erectile dysfunction
What's the story
Technology is seen as the future of mankind but now it's making way into people's sex lives - in the form of a bionic penis.
Yes, urologists have developed a mechanical prosthetic that is surgically implanted into the body to treat penile problems, particularly erectile dysfunction.
It has already helped a number of people across the globe.
Here's more on the revolutionary tech.
Problems
Erectile dysfunction affect most men
Among all sex-related problems, erectile dysfunction or the case when a man can't get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse is the most common one.
It affects nearly 50% of all men aged between 40 and 70 (to some extent) and stems from a range of factors, including stress, anxiety, alcoholism, diabetes, prostate cancer or injuries to the pelvis or penis.
Treatment
It's not a major cause of concern, mostly
In most cases, erectile dysfunction is treated by way of medicines (viagra), injections et al.
But, if you have been taking these treatments with little to no improvement, a penile implant or bionic penis might be the solution.
It has already been implanted in various cases, even repurposed to help a man who had lost his penis and one testicle in a car accident.
Types
Two key penile implants people can get
A bionic penis, as Huffington Post explains, can be created with two different prosthetics: a semi-rigid plastic rod or an inflatable cylinder.
They both are implanted surgically into the erection chambers of the penis when the patient is under anesthesia.
However, the difference is, the semi-rigid implant has to be straightened manually for erection, while the inflatable one is controlled by pumping.
Working
How these devices work
The plastic rod, when implanted, can be straightened during intercourse and folded back to the original position after penetration.
Meanwhile, in the second prosthetic, the plastic cylinder inflates and deflates when water from an abdominal 'reservoir' is pumped into it.
The pump is inserted into the scrotum, which the patient can squeeze to trigger the inflation controlling the erection.
Information
Downside of rod-based penile implant
While no one would see the implant unless you tell them, it is important to note that the non-inflatable rod prosthetic will always keep your penis semi-rigid, which you may find awkward. These implants don't become flaccid and fold inwards like the inflatable ones.
Reproduction
Will bionic penis impact your ability to reproduce?
In case you're wondering having a penis like this can affect a person's sensation/reproduction abilities, the answer is no.
These devices are inserted through an incision and there's no impact on external sensitivity or on the ability to have an orgasm.
So, if you were able to reach an orgasm or ejaculate before the surgery, you should be able to do it later too.
Information
Possible side effects of getting a bionic penis
Having said that, you should also note that getting a bionic penis comes with its own risks. For instance, your penis may remain bruised/swollen for days, the prosthetic may inflate automatically or you may have problems like bleeding, infection, or a critical nerve injury.