Penile prosthesis (penile implant) or also known as the happiness stick, is a surgical treatment procedure applied when results cannot be obtained with other treatment methods in men experiencing erectile dysfunction. Placing a penile prosthesis inside the penis creates serious positive effects both physically and psychologically in men experiencing erectile dysfunction. It raises the person's quality of life, increases sexual satisfaction, and can compensate for self-confidence problems. Today, there are vacuum devices, PRP applications, Shock Wave Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy, Exosomes, drug applications, and many other methods used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, if all these treatments cannot solve the person's erectile dysfunction, the option of penile prosthesis surgery comes to the fore. Penile prosthesis, namely the happiness stick, is a frequently preferred operation because it provides permanent and successful results. Special Life Center (Özel Yaşam Merkezi), serving its patients in Adana, explained the curiosities about Penile Prosthesis, namely the happiness stick.
What is Penile Prosthesis (Happiness Stick)?
Penile prosthesis is placed inside the penis with a surgical operation in men experiencing erectile dysfunction. The penile prosthesis, also called the happiness stick, provides sufficient hardness for sexual intercourse. It should not be forgotten that sexual health is one of the most important parts of a person's general quality of life. However, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, prostate surgery, and various neurological problems can permanently disrupt the blood flow in the penis. In such cases, the penile prosthesis is placed inside the spongy structures located in the penis that provide erection.
The penile prosthesis is small enough not to be noticed from the outside and is hidden inside the body. Penile prosthesis surgery is the last step treatment procedure for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This is because the prosthesis is an irreversible application. In contrast, the success rate of penile prosthesis treatment is at the level of 90-95 percent. The basic function of the penile prosthesis is to ensure that the person reaches the hardness that can continue sexual intercourse whenever and for as long as they want.
Who is Penile Prosthesis Suitable For? (Indications)
Penile prosthesis, namely the happiness stick, is preferred in cases such as:
- In patients who cannot see sufficient benefit from erectile medications taken orally
- Inability to benefit from injection treatments applied to the penis and vacuum devices
- Experiencing advanced erectile dysfunction due to diabetes
- Patients whose erectile function is damaged after operations such as prostate surgery or cancer surgery
- In serious erectile dysfunction experienced due to penile fibrosis, namely Peyronie's disease
- Penile prosthesis surgery is consulted in erectile dysfunctions caused by diseases developing due to vascular problems.
What are the Types of Penile Prosthesis?
With developing modern medical technologies, penile prosthesis types that respond to different requirements and are compatible with different anatomical structures have entered our lives. Penile prostheses are basically evaluated in two main categories.
One-Piece (Malleable) Penile Prostheses
This type of penile prostheses consists of two semi-hard rods placed inside the penis. These prostheses are always in a hard state. The person straightens the prosthesis and brings it to an upright position during sexual intercourse. Surgeries of these types of prostheses take much shorter. The risk of patients experiencing problems is almost non-existent. It stands out with its ease of use. In contrast, the penis being constantly hard may make it difficult to hide when tight clothes are worn. Other than that, it does not have any disadvantages.
Three-Piece Inflatable Penile Prostheses
Three-piece and inflatable penile prostheses are the type of prosthesis that provides the most natural appearance and the most natural feeling. It consists of two cylinders inside the penis, a pump placed in the scrotum, and a reservoir placed in the abdomen.
The working principle of three-piece inflatable penile prostheses is as follows: When an erection is desired, the pump in the scrotum is squeezed a few times. The fluid in the reservoir is filled into the cylinders. Afterwards, the penis hardens. Today, it stands out as the type of prosthesis most preferred and most welcomed by patients.
The most important advantage of three-piece, inflatable penile prostheses is that they can be completely hidden and offer the feeling closest to a natural erection.
While choosing the type of prosthesis, factors such as the patient's expectations and general health status are taken into consideration.
How is the Penile Prosthesis (Happiness Stick) Surgery Process?
- Penile prosthesis operations are performed under the influence of general or spinal anesthesia.
- Surgeries are usually completed between 45 to 60 minutes.
- The happiness stick, namely the penile prosthesis, is placed instead of the erectile tissue in the penis.
- After the operation, patients need to be kept under observation in the hospital for one or two days.
After the operation, there is no scar visible from the outside in the penis area or a very small scar remains. This is not aesthetically disturbing for patients.
How Does the Process Progress After Penile Prosthesis Surgery?
- Patients may feel pain or swelling for a few days after penile prosthesis surgery.
- Sexual intercourse is allowed after 4 to 6 weeks following the operation.
- In inflatable prostheses, the use of the device is comprehensively taught to the patient.
- Patients can continue their daily lives from where they left off in a short time.
Patient Satisfaction and Expectations
Penile prosthesis (happiness stick) surgery is one of the most successful operations in urology in terms of patient satisfaction. In studies, patients report satisfaction at the level of 85 to 95 percent. However, it should be noted that:
Penile prosthesis does not increase sexual desire. It only provides the hardness required for sexual intercourse, namely the erection. Medical treatments or therapy applications are necessary for patients experiencing sexual reluctance problems.
Informing the patient correctly and having realistic expectations from the surgery is the most important requirement of patient satisfaction.
The happiness stick offers permanent, successful, and reliable solutions to the erectile dysfunction problem of suitable patients. Before deciding on penile prosthesis treatment, a comprehensive evaluation must be made by a specialist urology physician. All treatment alternatives should be evaluated in detail, and the patient's needs and expectations should be clarified.
The aim of penile prosthesis surgery is not only to improve sexual function but also to improve the person's self-confidence, quality of life, and harmony with their partner.
Penile Prosthesis (Happiness Stick) Surgery Prices
The prices and costs of penile prosthesis (happiness stick) surgeries are shaped according to the expertise and experience of the surgeon performing the treatment, the type of prosthesis used, and the quality of the surgical equipment used. To get up-to-date and clear information about penile prosthesis surgery prices, you can contact the Special Life Center (Özel Yaşam Merkezi), which serves its patients in Adana.
Provinces Where We Provide Penile Prosthesis (Happiness Stick) Surgery Service
Special Life Center (Özel Yaşam Merkezi) provides penile prosthesis surgery service to its patients coming from surrounding provinces such as Mersin, Hatay, Osmaniye, Konya, Gaziantep at its Adana-based clinic and to patients coming to our country from different parts of the world within the scope of health tourism.
