With ongoing industrial action, the after-effects of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic, and an ageing population, it is no secret that waiting times on the NHS are extending.

While we understand the pressures the NHS are facing, for some patients, extending waiting times makes living with limiting medical conditions very difficult.

So, what do current NHS waiting times mean for men who require penile implant surgery?

Who might need penile implants?

Men in need of penile implants can be living with a range of health and medical conditions, predominantly including, but not limited to:

Erectile dysfunction
Priapism
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)
Peyronie’s Disease
Prostate cancer

Men recovering from or living with these conditions can find it impossible to gain and maintain an erection, leading to a complete loss of physical intimacy and for some, urinary incontinence.

As such, waiting years for treatment on the NHS can feel like too much to bear.

When can penile implants be fitted? Is there a minimum waiting time?

With the range of conditions treated with penile implants, each treatment journey can differ widely.

For example, some men may need a penile implant after Peyronie’s Disease treatment and can frequently have been waiting a minimum of 1-2 years. Men recovering from prostate cancer may experience delays in treating the side effects of cancer treatment- especially if they are deemed non-urgent.

As such, there is unlikely to be a general waiting time for men waiting for penile implants, and specific timelines will be given by surgeons during consultations.

Opting for penile implant surgery is very often a last resort, and despite the psychological and emotional distress it can cause for patients, can be delayed for months- potentially years if using the NHS as a provider.

Types of penile implants

No matter which provider you choose, there will be a choice of either malleable or inflatable penile implants.

Malleable penile implants

Designed to be manipulated into the position needed for intercourse, malleable penile implants keep the penis permanently erect and ensure patients can enjoy orgasm and intercourse as normal.

When not physically intimate, the penis can be simply moved sideways or pointed downwards to ensure it does not interfere with your daily life.

This option is ideal for men with dexterity or mobility issues, as it does not require the use of buttons or pumps which can be small and hard to reach.

Inflatable penile implants

Inflatable penile implants come in two- or three-part systems that are manually pumped to inflate the penis for sexual relations. They allow for normal sexual activity and are easily deflated afterwards with a small button.

The inflatable implants will take longer to fit, due to the components that must be fitted into the scrotum and abdomen, and as such have a longer recovery time. However, they allow the penis to return to a flaccid state, which some men prefer.

Are waiting times for men needing penile implants on the rise on the NHS?

Thanks to their classification as non-urgent, it is increasingly likely that waiting times for penile implants will continue to increase.

Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), suggests that NHS waiting lists will flatline rather than fall, despite being one of Rishi Sunak’s priorities for the year and the real efforts made to improve.

This will no doubt lead to upsetting psychological and emotional distress for thousands of patients across the UK. Causing them:

Stress, worry, and anxiety
Feelings of insecurity, emasculation, and worthlessness
Fears about relationships ending, or never starting, loneliness, and subsequent withdrawal from relationships.

But, what can these men do if they are unable to wait any longer?

Private treatment rapidly reduces waiting times and improves penile implant treatment options.

Opting for a private healthcare supplier will enable men living with erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s Disease, or even in recovery from prostate cancer to receive treatment exponentially quicker than continuing on the NHS waiting list- bringing to an end their distress.

Similarly, private healthcare can give patients access to specialised, expert urology care at a much lower cost than they might think possible.

Moorgate Andrology is proud to be the penile implant leader in the UK and as such, offers many more penile implants than are available on the NHS, including:

Coloplast Genesis malleable implant
Coloplast Titan Touch inflatable implant
AMS 700 Penile Prosthesis
AMS 800 Penile Prosthesis
RIGI10™ Malleable Penile Prosthesis

Many presume that private healthcare and increased treatment options are beyond their means- this actually couldn’t be further from the truth.

With a range of private finance options available, patients can take advantage of pay-monthly options with low-interest rates from 3% APR, and spread the cost over 5 years.

Contact Moorgate Andrology today for help with penile implants.

As penile implant leaders in the UK, Moorgate Andrology offer more options for penile implants, helping patients access surgery much faster than waiting for the NHS backlog to clear.

This means that treatment timelines can be shrunk from multiple years to just months.

If you are currently on an NHS waiting list for treatment, why not come to see us today for a free Urologist Consultation? Simply find your nearest location and reach out to us today.

Alternatively, for more information about Moorgate’s penile implants, simply fill in our enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.