Penile Implants in Charlotte

Dr. Tapscott is fellowship-trained in urologic prosthetics at the Cleveland Clinic

Penile implant surgery is performed routinely by Ashley Tapscott, DO once a patient has been diagnosed to have been experiencing erectile dysfunction. When other erectile dysfunction treatment options have proven to be ineffective, Dr. Tapscott has the experience and skill to perform the most up-to-date minimally invasive surgical interventions for sexual dysfunction including placement of the inflatable penile implant or penile prosthesis. Dr. Tapscott will take the time to discuss the different types of penile implants and the function associated with each implant so that your treatment is chosen based on your individual needs and desires. 

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What Is a Penile Implant?

A penile implant is a surgically implanted device that is the solution for men who have erectile dysfunction (ED) due to medical issues.

Penile implants have been around for over 40 years, with significant technical improvement in the past few years. They are the only available treatment that provides a permanent solution for ED, giving men the opportunity for spontaneous sexual activity without the need for planning. Penile Implants also eliminate the need to use expensive and potentially embarrassing ED medications.

An important note about penile implants is that they do not affect penile sensitivity nor do they affect the ability to achieve an orgasm. Also, the penile implant is not a penile enlargement, it simply provides a hard and rigid erection.

There are different types of penile implants that ultimately all serve the same purpose: to provide an on-demand and completely reliable erection for men with ED. These are custom sized for each individual. The implant is placed inside the penis through a short 30-minute to 1-hour surgery performed by Dr. Ashley Tapscott. Once placed, the penile implant is completely hidden within your body, invisible to your partner if closely examined.

When should I consider getting a penile implant?

When considering penile implant surgery, it is important to discuss all your options with an erectile dysfunction specialist such as Dr. Tapscott who has proven knowledge, skills, and experience. Surgery for penile implants is usually performed by Dr. Tapscott when a patient has a clear medical cause for erectile dysfunction and when the problem is unlikely to improve naturally or be resolved with other medical treatments. Sometimes a penile prosthesis is implanted by Dr. Tapscott to reconstruct the penis when scarring has caused the penis to curve during erections, which is also known as Peyronie's disease.

If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction and medications or injections haven’t worked for you, penile implant surgery may be your solution. Dr. Tapscott is one of the area's most renowned prosthetic urologists in the Charlotte area. Offering several types of minimally invasive penile implant surgeries, she specializes in placing the three-piece inflatable penile implant through a single scrotal incision in a single surgical procedure. The advantages of working with an experienced penile implant specialist such as Dr. Tapscott can be immeasurable.

What can I expect during a penile prosthesis surgery?

Expect Dr. Tapscott and her team to place you under general anesthesia for your comfort. First, she will make a small incision above the penis, where it joins the abdomen, or below, where it joins the scrotum. She will then insert the implant and sutures your incision closed. The total procedure time is typically less than an hour.

Following penile implant surgery, you may experience some discomfort or pain for several weeks or receive a prescription for narcotic pain medication. Other recommendations might include restricting your driving and refraining from sexual activity for a month or two.

Dr. Tapscott currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and is an active member of The American Urological Association. She also has additional subspecialty training from completing a fellowship in male and female sexual dysfunction, urologic prosthetics, and infertility at Cleveland Clinic. 

Sexual medicine societyAmerican Urologic association

 

Is a Penile Implant right for you?

A penile implant is a device that is placed into a man’s body and is designed to help him get an erection.  This device is prescribed by a physician for men who are suffering from impotence.

ED Treatment Options: Penile Implants

Reasons to consider a Penile Implant:

  • Patient satisfaction rates: 93.8% of patients were moderately or completely satisfied with their penile implant choice, far outpacing satisfaction levels for Viagra (51.6%) or injection therapy (40.9%).1
  • A Discrete Solution: Designed to emulate the look and performance of a natural erection
  • Minimal Recovery Time: Following the routine outpatient procedure, a four to six-week recovery period is necessary before the implant is used.
  • Insurance Coverage: Most insurance, including Medicare, cover the implant.


There are two basic types of penile implants that Coloplast offers:

The Titan Touch® Inflatable Penile Implant

The Titan Touch® Inflatable Penile Implant


The Genesis™ Flexible Rod Penile Implant

The Genesis™ Flexible Rod Penile Implant

Both types of implants enable men with erectile dysfunction to have a satisfactory erection for sexual intercourse and to experience the joys of sex again. You should be able to have an orgasm with a penile implant if you were able to have one before your surgery, unless you have another medical problem that affects it. Consult your physician about this. The primary difference between the two implant types is that flexible rod implants (the Genesis) produce a permanently firm penis, while the inflatable implants (the Titan) produce a controlled, more natural erection.

Some facts about Coloplast’s penile implants:

The Coloplast Titan Touch Inflatable Penile Implant (IPP) is a self-contained, fluid-filled system made from Bioflex and silicone. Bioflex is a supple, durable biopolymer material.

  • The implant is totally concealed in your body
  • Designed to emulate the look and performance of a natural erection
  • Pump design has a non-bulky, low-profile size

The Titan Touch inflatable penile implant offers a dependable method of restoring sexual function.

  • It is the result of advanced engineering and medical research designed with your needs in mind
  • It offers hope to many men with E.D.
  • It provides an option where other treatments are not appropriate or have failed

Titan Touch Unique Features

  • Mechanical reliability rates: Recent studies show the Coloplast Alpha 1 and Titan to have mechanical reliability rates of 97.5% after five years on first time implants.2
  • Concealable: When implanted, the Coloplast Titan penile implant is not visibly noticeable. The penis appears relaxed and normal in the flaccid state, and it is not obvious by looking at a man that he has an implant.
  • Lifetime replacement policy: Coloplast provides a lifetime replacement policy with all of its penile implants. Coloplast will replace the inflatable implant, or any component, for any reason during the lifetime of the patient.

Titan Touch Inflate/Deflate animation

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose any length after getting a penile implant?

Each penile implant is custom fitted to your anatomy. Discuss this in greater detail with your physician.

Will I be able to have spontaneous erections with a penile implant?

No. In order to place the implant in the body, the corpora containing the spongy tissue is removed to make room for the cylinders. If you are still able to have erections on your own, which are satisfactory for intercourse, you should consider very carefully whether or not an implant is the right fix for you. However, if you cannot have erections or if they are not satisfactory for intercourse, then an implant will be able to provide you with a more “instant” erection when compared to pills, or vacuum devices.

What is the recovery time?

Each individual is different and therefore their recovery will be different as well. Typical recovery is between 4-6 weeks. Your physician will determine what you can and cannot do during this time. It is important to follow the recommendations that your physician gives to you to ensure the best outcome.

Is the cost of a penile implant covered by insurance?

A penile implant is prescribed by your physician. Most insurance, including Medicare, cover the implant. Check with your physician’s office to determine your actual cost.

What makes the Genesis® and Titan® Touch different?

Both implants provide you with the capability of having an erection satisfactory for intercourse. The main difference is that the Genesis penile implant is a malleable implant consisting of 2 rods that are placed in the penis. There are no further parts to this implant. To have an erection, you only need to hold the penis and move it into the desired position. When you are finished you return the penis to the previous position. With the Titan Touch penile implant, you inflate the cylinders by pressing the pump bulb in the scrotum. You can control the firmness by pumping until you are satisfied with the erection. The best thing is to discuss each implant with your physician to make sure that you are getting the implant that is appropriate for you.

Are there risks associated with the penile implant?

Penile implants are surgical solutions requiring a healing period that have risks associated with surgery such as pain, anesthesia reactions, repeat surgery due to infections, or mechanical problems with the device. The implant eliminates the possibility of a natural erection. Considerations in choosing a penile implant may include your medical condition, lifestyle, personal preference and cost.

This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Although many patients benefit from the use of this device, results may vary. Discuss the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits of the various options to determine if a penile implant is right for you.

Will anyone notice that I have an implant?

Since the implant is completely placed inside your body, no one will see the implant. In fact, no one will know unless you tell them.

Can I have an orgasm with a penile implant?

You should be able to have an orgasm with a penile implant if you were able to have one before your procedure. Consult your physician about your expected outcome.


  1. Rajpurkar A, et al. Comparison of satisfaction rates and erectile function in patients treated with sildenafil, intracavernous prostaglandin E1 and penile implant surgery for erectile dysfunction in urology practice. J Urol. July 2003; 170(1):159-163.
  2. Steven K, et al. Comparison of Mechanical Reliability of Original and Enhanced Mentor* Alpha 1 Penile Prosthesis. J. Urol.September 1999;162(3):715-718.

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