Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesWho Can BenefitProstheses in RelationshipsOther ED Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Who Can Benefit
Prostheses in Relationships
Other ED Treatments
For people witherectile dysfunction(ED), a satisfying sex life can be a challenge. One potential solution is an external penile prosthesis, a device used to achieve penetrative sex without having to undergoimplant surgery. Options include penis sleeves and penile supports, such as penile casts, that some consider after medication for ED hasn’t worked.
External penile prostheses are readily available and require no medical intervention (although a consultation with a doctor or sex therapist can be beneficial). It is important to understand how the devices work and which may be most appropriate for you before making a purchase.
This article discusses external devices used to support thepenisduring sex. It explains how they’re used and who can benefit from a penile prosthetic, and also presents other options to deal with ED.
Causes and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction
Types of Prostheses
There are basically two types of external penile prostheses: one that slips over the penis and another that clamps onto the penis shaft. External penile prostheses are not medical devices per se.
Penis Sleeve
A penis sleeve, as per its name, is a hollow, penis-shaped device that is slipped over the penis. In the world of sex toys, these are commonly referred to as penis extensions.
Penis sleeves are typically pliable and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. Some are ridged or come equipped with a vibrator for added sexual stimulation.
There are several different penis sleeves to choose from:
A 2017 study published inTranslational Andrology and Urologyreported that some cisgender men can reach anorgasmwhen using a penis sleeve despite having severe ED.
Penile Support Device
Marketed under brand names like Elator, Erektor, and others, this external penile device is less visible than a sleeve, works much like a splint for erectile dysfunction, and may be ideal for men with mild to moderate ED.
What Is a Penile Cast?
A penile cast is worn over the penis during sex. It has two small windows, level with the corona glans of the penis, to allow for sensation. While there’s limited research on how effective the penile cast is, the device is an option for people who don’t respond to ED medication or don’t want implants.
Everything You Need to Know About Male Orgasms
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Transfeminine people and trans women who have ED due to common reasons or from taking estrogen can also benefit from these products.
External penile prostheses may be ideal for people who are not candidates for other ED treatments (either for medical or psychological reasons) or are unable to afford more costly medical interventions.
Despite their potential benefits, external penile prostheses are not cheap. The devices range from $200 to $700, and they may not work well for everyone. Moreover, health insurance rarely covers such devices.
Purchasing a penile prosthetic can seem a bit of a gamble. As such, you need to do your research and speak with a doctor or sex therapist if possible to ensure that your expectations are realistic. With that said, many couples find sex toys arousing, and that alone may warrant a purchase.
If you do find an external penile prosthesis that works for you, the cost may pay off as a good investment in your sex life.
How Erection Problems Are Diagnosed
Penile Prostheses and Relationships
The most important factor in choosing an external penile prosthetic is how well it fits into your sex life. This requires not only a genuine acknowledgment of your own sexual desires (and limitations) but those of your partner as well.
If using the device makes you or your partner embarrassed or uncomfortable, it is unlikely to work. But some studies find that the more information you have, the more you may be willing to try one.
The only way to work through these issues is to talk about them. Being upfront about your needs and desires may encourage your partner to embrace an external prosthetic as a natural part of sexual play rather than as a “fetish.”
How to Have a Sex Talk With Your Partner
People sometimes think thatViagrais the only form of ED treatment, and that’s simply not true. In addition toPDE inhibitorslike Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), and Stendra (avanafil), there are other options to discuss with yoururologist, including:
Coping With Erectile Dysfunction
Summary
Sex is about more than just the penis. Just as safer sex works best when couples find ways to eroticize it, so, too, does sex with an erectile prosthesis.
In the end, erectile dysfunction doesn’t have to be a limitation. It can be an invitation to explore new pathways of intimacy and pleasure if you keep an open mind and engage in communication.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Tatem A, Kovac JR.External penile prosthesis as a novel approach to the treatment of erectile dysfunction.Transl Androl Urol.2017 Nov;6(Suppl 5):S795-6. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.11.01.
Wassersug R, Wibowo E.Non-pharmacological and non-surgical strategies to promote sexual recovery for men with erectile dysfunction.Transl Androl Urol.2017 Nov;6(Suppl 5):S776-94. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.04.09.
Li H, Gao T, Wang R.The role of the sexual partner in managing erectile dysfunction.Nat Rev Urol.2016 Mar;13(3):168-77. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2015.315.
Bhasin S, Brito JP, Cunningham GR, et al.Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: An endocrine society clinical practice guideline.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2018;103(5):1715-44. doi:10.1210/jc.2018-00229
El-Sakka AI.What is the current role of intracavernosal injection in management of erectile dysfunction?.Int J Impot Res. 2016;28(3):88-95. doi:10.1038/ijir.2016.14
Mirheydar H, Zhou T, Chang DC, Hsieh TC.Reoperation rates for penile prosthetic surgery.J Sex Med.2016 Jan;13(1):129-33. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2015.11.013
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