Are penile prostheses a viable option to recommend for gay men?

Abstract

When talking to a gay men's prostate cancer support group on erectile dysfunction a question was asked of the author if he had evidence that a penile prosthesis would be rigid enough for anal sex. As a heterosexual male with no knowledge of a homosexual man with a prosthesis, the author could not answer the question. The local representative could not give the author a definitive answer either and there was no specific literature on this subject. However, testing of the rigidity of penile prosthesis demonstrated buckling forces of 800 g. On the basis of reported values that anal penetration requires 33% more rigidity than vaginal sex, the minimum rigidity required for vaginal sex is 500 g. Based on this figure a minimum rigidity of 634 mg is required for anal sex. A rigidity of 800 mg should therefore facilitate anal sex. This article considers current literature on the difference between heterosexual and homosexual prosthesis needs to aid health practitioners in decision-making.