New research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine shows that the use of penile prostheses, also known as penile implants, is declining. Experts are perplexed, because the study also identified that the number of men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction increase 165%. Let's explore why.

The study period which was over the course of 10 years, found that as erectile dysfunction increased exponentially, penile implants declined with 4.6% of men diagnosed with ED being treated with one. A penile implant is a surgically inserted device that helps achieve an erection, and often the optimal treatment when others won't work such as Viagra. This device allows a man to have an erection "on demand." 

Some doctors are showing concern with regards to this decline, since this method has the highest patient satisfaction rate among all ED treatments. 

The study identified that older men (between the ages of 64-74) tended to use penile implants. These men had many pre-existing conditions and there was a high concentration of men in the South and Western areas of the U.S. getting an implant. Researchers correlated this to a possible linear trend to the high prevalence of obesity in these areas. Obesity is a huge risk factor for erectile dysfunction. 

Other lifestyle habits like smoking, drug/medication use, nicotine and alcohol use can also contribute to problems with potency.  For still others mental health, neurological, or neurophysiological disorders are the problem. These include depression, stress, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, dementia, or neurologic disease. In a smaller subset of men hormonal abnormalities, or depleted testosterone levels typically due to aging are to blame.

Surgical techniques for inserting penile prostheses have also improved over time. A growing number of operations are now outpatient procedures, which means men can leave the hospital the same day as the surgery.

The decline in penile implants could be due to erectile dysfunction treatment alternatives which have been brought to the surface only recently. Specifically, a shot men give themselves to induce an erection called intracavernosol is being blamed. Medical experts may also be choosing simpler treatment methods versus complex surgical procedures. 

He said he focuses holistic treatments, then prescribes medication if the problem isn't solved. For instance, Lue said men experiencing daily, chronic stress can experience erectile dysfunction as a result. "Surgery is a last resort," said Lue. "Penile implants are much more invasive and have a higher rate of complication, especially for patients with underlying conditions like obesity and high blood pressure."

Impotence, aka erectile dysfunction, aka ED, is not often the easiest topic to discuss but it effects more men than we likely realize.  As many as 50 million men in the US and Europe suffer from impotence, or erectile dysfunction.  Statistically, this number includes only about 5% of men less than 40 years old and up to 25% of men by the time they reach 65 years of age. By definition, impotence is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.

It's important for men to understand all of their treatment options and even natural remedies that may improve ED. Learn more here.