According to a survey conducted by Hearst Media for Men’s Health magazine, 2 in 5 of the 1,500 men questioned experienced a sexual health issue — however, only half sought medical attention. Up to a third of the respondents said that they were too embarrassed to talk about their sexual health issues with anyone, including their doctor.
These statistics are regrettable because they show that men are reluctant to have open conversations about their sexual health, even with their medical providers. As a result, many of them don’t get the help they need.
This is a reality with which Dr. James Elist is well versed. A leading urologist, Elist invented the Penuma penile implant and its latest iteration, the Himplant. It’s surgically inserted to increase the girth of the penis and is a treatment option for erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease. While developing this product carried many challenges, the taboo around male sexual health and innovating in this field proved to be the biggest challenge.
Dr. James Elist Tackling the Touchy Issues
“The journey to bring this product to patients encompassed not only developing a scientifically backed treatment, but also navigating the complexities of education, regulation, and the challenges of a stigmatized field,” Elist told Authority Magazine.
The impact of societal side-eye on innovation is a recognized phenomenon. This can discourage diverse perspectives and suppress unconventional ideas. Anyone who tries to innovate in uncomfortable fields is met with fear of judgment, which blocks novel solutions for persistent problems. Dr. James Elist was no exception.
The forces of societal stigmas may have been working against him, but he’s not one to back down. He had witnessed firsthand the deeply troubling impact lack of sexual well-being had on his patients, who routinely shared their experiences and how their perception of their penis size impacted their ability to lead sexually fulfilling lives. This is why Elist was committed to creating an effective male enhancement solution.
“At the heart of my drive was the daily affirmation from my patients — real people facing real struggles,” he said.
The Discomfort Around Male Sexual Health
A big driver for the silence associated with male sexual health is the societal expectation that men must have sexual prowess. If they’re unable to perform sexually due to any sort of dysfunction, that lack of performance is perceived as unmasculine — that somehow they’re less of a man.
For these reasons, many men are apprehensive about having candid discussions about their sexual well-being, resulting in a significant impact on their sexual health.
Elist is a big advocate for eliminating the unease around male sexual health. In his opinion, based on three decades of experience, it’s necessary to eliminate the awkwardness and allow men to have open conversations about their issues so that they can have access to accurate information. By destigmatizing sexual health, men would be able to get timely help, making way for crucial early intervention in cases of prostate cancer or erectile dysfunction. This is critical because, in some cases, potentially life-threatening underlying conditions may be to blame. For instance, ED can be a symptom of heart disease or diabetes.
Removing the shame associated with male sexual health will also allow men to get timely access to mental health support, as problems in the bedroom may lead to depression and, in some cases, even suicidal thoughts.
“You hear stories all the time of broken relationships because of problems with sexual satisfaction,” said Elist. “When that happens, doubt can lead to depression and worse. There have been cases in which men have considered suicide before turning to an enhancement as a solution. I think it’s true to say that there are people alive today because of our attention to this matter.”
How Penuma and Himplant Help Dissipate Stigma Around Male Sexual Health
Dr. James Elist wants to get the word out that there’s treatment available for men to improve their overall well-being and quality of life. This can only be achieved through dispelling the chagrin surrounding male sexual health.
“By fostering a dialogue on topics that were once considered taboo, like penile enhancement, and advocating for patient-centered care, I aim to destigmatize conversations around male sexual health and encourage a more informed and compassionate approach to treatment options,” he said.
Knowing that he was operating in an industry fraught with questionable practices, Elist made sure to secure a Food and Drug Administration clearance, not just for regulatory purposes but to signal to the world that Penuma and Himplant meet the highest standards of quality and care.
What has further boosted Penuma and Himplant’s legitimacy is the fact that the procedure is performed by highly vetted surgeons. These surgeons undergo mandatory training to ensure effectiveness, safety, and consistency with Penuma and Himplant’s high standards.
In 2021, a professor of surgery at Harvard performed a Penuma implant surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a part of Harvard Medical School. This was Elist’s long-standing dream, one that was finally fulfilled.
“Internationally, we expanded our reach through collaborations with established medical device distributors in various regions. This strategy allowed us to maintain the quality and integrity of the treatment while making it accessible to patients worldwide, adhering to the varied regulatory and market requirements of different countries,” said Elist.
To that end, Penuma is on the right trajectory. With the release of Himplant, Penuma’s next-gen male enhancement solution, the procedure can now be performed by cosmetic surgeons. As a result, it’s now being offered across the U.S. and has recently been made available in the Middle East. The company is also working toward making Penuma and Himplant more affordable.