Can You Get an Erection with an Inflatable Penile Implant?

Yes, you can get an erection with an inflatable penile implant. Inflatable penile prostheses are a reliable and effective surgical solution for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who have not responded to conservative treatments like oral medications, vacuum erection devices, or injections.

The most commonly used inflatable prosthesis is the three-piece inflatable penile implant. This system includes:

• Two inflatable cylinders placed inside the penis
• A fluid reservoir implanted in the abdomen
• A pump placed in the scrotum

To produce an erection, the man squeezes the pump in the scrotum. This transfers fluid from the reservoir into the cylinders, causing the penis to become firm and erect. When the erection is no longer needed, another mechanism in the pump is used to move the fluid back into the reservoir, returning the penis to a flaccid state.

This device offers several advantages:

• Provides a rigid and natural-feeling erection
• Leaves the penis flaccid when not in use, making it easy to conceal
• Puts full control of the erection in the hands of the user
• Proven durability with high patient satisfaction rates

Compared to non-inflatable (malleable) implants or two-piece systems, the three-piece inflatable implant delivers the most natural appearance and function. Mechanical reliability is high, with modern devices demonstrating more than 90% survival rates at 5 years.

This prosthesis does not affect orgasm, ejaculation, or sensation. It simply restores the ability to obtain and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity, thus improving quality of life and intimacy.