Share

Less prosthetic penis implants for erectile dysfunction

Image courtesy of rollitup.org
Image courtesy of rollitup.org
rollitup.org

Researchers have published the first large population-based study of U.S trends in erectile dysfunction and its surgical management from 2001 to 2010.

Using data from Medicare beneficiaries, the investigators found that while the prevalence of erectile dysfunction has increased by 165%, the use of penile prostheses actually decreased by 50%, from 4.6% in 2001 to 2.3% in 2010.

Prostheses have been increasingly used in sicker patients with significant comorbidities such as diabetes, however.

Age, ethnicity, and geography often influenced whether patients would undergo penile prosthetic placement. When looking at ethnicity, white males experienced the most significant decline in penile prosthetic surgery. In terms of age groups, men aged 70-74 were 2.6% less likely to undergo the surgery than they were in 2001.

Elderly males as well as black males were most at risk of requiring prosthetic removal or an additional surgery to correct complications.

"The research demonstrates the continued role for surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction that persists despite the increasing use of oral medications and that variation in this treatment exists even in the absence of clinical factors," said Dr. Daniel Lee, lead author of The Journal of Sexual Medicine study.

Read more:

Penis implants help to treat erectile dysfunction

World's first: penis successfully transplanted in Cape Town 

How the world's first successful penis transplant took place

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE