Playing sports brings many health benefits, and any model of penile prosthesis allows you to have an active life, as long as you take some precautions. Check it out!
The Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (WHO) know that exercise is fundamental to health. Therefore, they recommend at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week.
Even those living with chronic diseases or having some disability – which is relatively common among men undergoing penile prosthesis surgery – should engage in some activity.
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Can people with a penile prosthesis play sports?
Yes! A penile prosthesis does not make sports practice unfeasible.
In fact, it is recommended that you continue your activities normally or, if you are not yet engaged in any physical exercise, to start some form of it.
Physical activities help maintain body weight, strengthen muscles and bones, improve blood circulation and cardiorespiratory capacity. The practice also prevents chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, and contributes to stress and anxiety control.
Moreover, exercise promotes the release of substances that provide that sense of well-being and happiness everyone likes.
How soon can I return to exercising?
The medical clearance to resume exercising varies from patient to patient. When post-operative recovery is positive, the man is usually cleared for more intense activities in about a month.
However, it’s worth remembering that medical clearance to resume a normal life only occurs after about 60 days, and throughout this time, you’ll need medical follow-up.
The total recovery of the penis, with the proper stabilization of tissues, can take up to a year!
Which prosthesis is best for exercising?
You can play sports and exercise with any penile prosthesis. Currently, there are two types of prostheses most used in penile surgeries: the inflatable and the malleable.
The malleable prosthesis, also called semi-rigid, is a rod that can be positioned as you wish and hidden with the use of tight underwear.
The inflatable or hydraulic one has an erection activation system housed in the scrotum, which uses saline solution. When not erect, the prosthesis is elongated.
Can the penile prosthesis cause discomfort or restrictions during sports?
If the surgery is successful, the patient follows the post-operative instructions as indicated, and the medical discharge is given at the ideal time, the man will not have any discomfort during physical activities.
In fact, the penile implant should never cause pain or discomfort to the man in any activity – walking, driving, working, sex, sports, and so on.
If you experience any discomfort after surgery, it may indicate that something did not go well intra-operatively or post-operatively, and it is essential to report it to your doctor to evaluate the case.
Recommended sports activities
After the doctor’s authorization, the man can engage in all kinds of physical activities, such as:
- Running
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Weightlifting
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Dance
- CrossFit
- Boxing
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Climbing
- Surfing
- Skateboarding
- Skating
- Skiing
- Martial arts
At the beginning of the resumption, it’s crucial to take it easy, as the patient will probably have spent about a month away from practice. However, gradually, it will be possible to return to the normal rhythm and progress in the activity.
Attention to cycling!
Cycling enthusiasts need to take some precautions, as they spend a lot of time seated and may cycle on unstable surfaces.
Especially men who have implanted the inflatable prosthesis and have a large scrotum should avoid it being pressed and rubbing against the saddle, due to the pump housed.
For this audience, the ideal is to lift the scrotum when sitting or look for underwear that has reinforcement for the scrotal area.
Tips for soccer
For those accustomed to playing soccer and have inserted the semi-rigid prosthesis, it’s important to stabilize the penis against the body. Thus, when running, it will not move excessively, and if it takes a ball hit, it will not be damaged.
This can be done by wearing tighter underwear and positioning the malleable penile prosthesis close to the body, in any direction.
Care with the prosthesis
In order to have a good experience with the penile prosthesis, whether for exercising, for sexual relations, or for day-to-day life, it’s important to always remember to:
- Avoid impacts on the penile area
- Ensure good lubrication during penetration and masturbation
- Wear tight underwear to keep the malleable prosthesis in place
- Handle the malleable penile prosthesis by the base and never bend the glans
- Inflate the hydraulic prosthesis once or twice a week to maintain the internal space of the cylinder and prevent new fibroses
Men with a penile prosthesis should not stop having an active life, as the benefits of physical exercise will impact general and sexual health, and allow you to have a quality of life for much longer.
If you have questions about the recovery from your surgery and the right moment to resume exercising or other day-to-day activities, as well as the necessary care with the prosthesis, please contact us.
