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If oral ED tablets have stopped working, injections feel like too much, and a vacuum device has not given you a reliable result, a penile implant is often the next conversation worth having. The AMS 700 CX is one of the most studied inflatable penile prostheses in the world, made by Boston Scientific (formerly American Medical Systems). It sits entirely inside the body, stays hidden, and lets a man create a firm erection on demand by squeezing a small pump concealed in the scrotum.
This guide explains what the AMS 700 CX is, how it differs from the other AMS models and from rival devices, who it suits and who it does not, exactly what the surgery and recovery involve, the results the published literature actually reports, and transparent Bangkok pricing in both THB and USD compared against US and UK figures. Menscape is a men's health clinic in Bangkok, and a penile implant is a prescription surgical device, so nothing here replaces an in-person assessment with a urologist.
What the AMS 700 CX Penile Implant Is
The AMS 700 CX is a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis, often abbreviated IPP. "Three-piece" describes how the device is built and where its parts sit:
Two cylinders are placed inside the erection chambers of the penis (the corpora cavernosa). These fill with fluid to produce rigidity.
A pump and deflation valve sit discreetly inside the scrotum, between the testicles.
A fluid reservoir is tucked behind the abdominal wall or near the bladder, out of sight and out of the way.
To get an erection, you squeeze the scrotal pump several times; sterile fluid moves from the reservoir into the cylinders and the penis becomes firm. To go soft again, you press the deflation valve and the fluid returns to the reservoir. The penis looks and feels natural in its resting (flaccid) state because the cylinders are empty when not in use. The Cleveland Clinic describes this same three-component arrangement as the standard inflatable design, distinct from non-inflatable bendable silicone rods (Cleveland Clinic).
One feature sets the AMS 700 apart from most competitors: every AMS 700 cylinder and pump is coated with InhibiZone, a surface treatment of two antibiotics, rifampin and minocycline. In 2009 the US FDA recognised the AMS 700 with InhibiZone as the only inflatable penile prosthesis with clinical evidence of a reduced rate of revision surgery due to infection (McKim & Carson, 2010).
AMS 700 CX vs LGX vs Other Devices
AMS makes three cylinder styles in the 700 family, and choosing between them is one of the main decisions you make with your surgeon. The difference is how the cylinders expand when inflated.
Model | How the cylinders expand | Best suited to |
AMS 700 CX | Expand mainly in girth (width), high controlled rigidity, limited length change | Men who prioritise firmness; mild to moderate Peyronie's curvature; many post-prostatectomy cases |
AMS 700 LGX | Expand in both girth and length | Men wanting some length restoration with their erection |
AMS 700 CXR | Narrower, lower-profile version of the CX | Smaller anatomy, tighter scarring, or revision cases |
The two big rivals to the AMS 700 are Coloplast devices. The table below frames the practical trade-offs men ask about most.
Device | Type | Notable feature | Antibiotic coating |
AMS 700 CX (Boston Scientific) | 3-piece inflatable | InhibiZone surface (rifampin + minocycline), controlled girth expansion | Yes, pre-coated |
AMS 700 LGX (Boston Scientific) | 3-piece inflatable | Length plus girth expansion | Yes, pre-coated |
Coloplast Titan / Titan Touch | 3-piece inflatable | Hydrophilic coating absorbs antibiotic at surgery; one-touch release pump | Surgeon-dipped |
Malleable (semi-rigid) rod | Bendable, non-inflatable | Simplest device, no pump, lowest cost | Varies |
This article focuses on the CX. If you want length expansion, read our AMS 700 LGX overview, and if you are weighing a Coloplast device, see our Titan penile implant guide. For purely cosmetic girth or length without an ED indication, Himplant and Penuma are different procedures that do not create an erection.
Who Is a Candidate, and Who Is Not
A penile implant is not a first step. The American Urological Association lists prosthesis implantation as a legitimate ED treatment that every man should be informed about, while emphasising shared decision-making between patient and surgeon (AUA ED Guideline, 2018-guideline)). In practice, the AMS 700 CX is usually considered when:
ED no longer responds adequately to PDE5 inhibitor tablets (sildenafil, tadalafil), or these are not tolerated or are contraindicated.
Penile injections or a vacuum erection device have failed or are unacceptable to the man.
ED follows radical prostatectomy or other pelvic surgery and has not recovered.
There is significant Peyronie's disease (penile curvature from scar tissue), which can be straightened during implant surgery.
ED has a clear physical cause such as diabetes, vascular disease, or severe nerve injury.
The CX cylinder in particular is often favoured when firmness matters more than length restoration, and for men with mild to moderate curvature, because its controlled girth expansion helps hold a straight, rigid shape.
Who the AMS 700 CX is not for. An implant is the wrong choice if any of the following apply, and an honest clinic will tell you so:
ED that is mainly psychological or situational and has not been properly assessed and treated. Surgery is irreversible; the natural erectile tissue is altered during the operation and you cannot go back to medications afterward.
An active infection anywhere in the body, in the skin, or in the urinary tract. The AUA guideline is explicit that prosthetic surgery should not be performed during a systemic, cutaneous, or urinary tract infection (AUA, 2018-guideline)).
A known allergy to rifampin, minocycline, or other tetracycline antibiotics, or a history of systemic lupus erythematosus, both of which are contraindications to the InhibiZone-coated version specifically. A non-coated device or a different brand may be used instead.
Poorly controlled diabetes (a high HbA1c), active smoking, or another condition that meaningfully raises infection and healing risk until it is optimised first.
Unrealistic expectations: an implant restores rigidity, not length, spontaneous sensation, or fertility. Reasonable counselling beforehand is part of good care.
A penile implant requires a urology consultation and a prescription. No one should be quoting you a final price or a surgery date before a physical examination and a review of your medical history.
How the AMS 700 CX Procedure Works, Step by Step
The operation usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes and is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia. The Cleveland Clinic notes a typical implant operation runs one to two hours, often as a same-day or single-overnight admission (Cleveland Clinic).
Preparation. The genital area is shaved and cleaned with antiseptic, and intravenous antibiotics are given before the first incision to lower infection risk. The InhibiZone coating on the device adds a second layer of antibiotic protection at the implant surface.
Incision. Most surgeons use a single small incision, either at the base of the penis where it meets the scrotum (penoscrotal) or in the lower abdomen (infrapubic). Scarring is minimal and usually hidden.
Sizing and placing the cylinders. The two erection chambers are gently dilated and measured, then the correctly sized CX cylinders are positioned inside them.
Placing the pump. The control pump is set in the scrotum between the testicles, where it can be reached easily but is not visible.
Placing the reservoir. The fluid reservoir is positioned behind the abdominal wall or near the bladder and filled with sterile saline.
Testing. The surgeon inflates and deflates the device on the table to confirm rigidity, symmetry, and a straight result, correcting any residual curvature at this point.
Closure. The device is left deflated, the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures, and a light dressing is applied.
You wake with the device in place but deflated. A catheter may be used briefly. Most men are discharged the same day or after one night.
Recovery Timeline, Stage by Stage
Recovery is predictable, and the single most important rule is to leave the device alone until your surgeon clears you to use it.
Days 1 to 3. Expect bruising and scrotal swelling, which can look dramatic and is normal. Pain is managed with simple analgesia. Keeping the area elevated and wearing supportive underwear helps. Walking gently is encouraged; strenuous activity is not.
Week 1 to 2. Swelling and bruising steadily settle. Many men return to desk-based work within one to two weeks. Cleveland Clinic notes that pain and swelling usually ease after about a week, with some tenderness lingering up to six weeks (Cleveland Clinic).
Week 4 to 6. This is the first activation. Your surgeon teaches you to inflate and deflate the pump and sends you home with a simple cycling routine, which keeps the chambers supple and trains you in the technique. Do not attempt activation earlier on your own.
Week 6 to 8. Sexual activity is usually resumed once healing is confirmed and you are comfortable operating the device. Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding sex for at least four weeks, with the surgeon setting the exact date; in real-world practice 6 to 8 weeks is common (Cleveland Clinic).
2 to 3 months. Most men reach full recovery, with operation of the device becoming second nature and any residual tenderness resolved.
Results: What the Evidence Actually Shows
The AMS 700 CX is backed by some of the longest follow-up data of any penile device, which is one reason it is so widely used.
Durability. A long-term study of 397 men found mechanical survival of the AMS 700 CX/CXM at 97.6 percent at 3 years, 93.2 percent at 5 years, and 78.2 percent at 10 years; overall device survival (including all causes) was 95.0, 91.0, and 75.5 percent at the same points (Kim et al., J Sex Med, 2010). In plain terms, the great majority of these implants are still working a decade later.
Satisfaction and function. A separate long-term series reported a median IIEF-5 score of 21.46 and a median EDITS satisfaction score of 73.11, with 90.8 percent of men able to cycle the device and have penetrative intercourse (Vitarelli et al., Arch Ital Urol Androl, 2013). The IIEF-5 is a standard 5-question erectile-function score where higher is better; a result above 21 sits in the normal range.
Infection protection. Reported infection rates for first-time (virgin) three-piece implants are typically in the 1 to 3 percent range, and antibiotic-impregnated coatings have been associated with roughly a 60 percent reduction in infections versus uncoated devices in a meta-analysis (Reinstatler et al., J Vis Surg, 2021).
What the device does not do is also worth stating plainly: it does not change penile sensation, orgasm, or ejaculation, it does not increase resting penile length, and it does not restore fertility. It restores the ability to have a firm, reliable erection on demand.
Risks and Side Effects
Most men recover without complication, but informed consent means knowing what can go wrong.
Common and usually short-lived:
Bruising, scrotal swelling, and discomfort for the first few weeks.
Temporary tenderness when first using the device.
Mild, settling changes in sensation around the incision.
Less common but important:
Infection of the device, which, if it takes hold, usually means the implant must be removed and re-implanted later (Cleveland Clinic). InhibiZone and pre-operative antibiotics are designed to keep this risk low.
Mechanical failure of a cylinder, pump, or tubing over the years, which is uncommon early on but accumulates with time and may need a revision (replacement) procedure.
Erosion of a component through tissue, persistent pain, or a residual curvature that needs correction.
Damage to the urethra or reduced blood flow to the penile head, both rare.
Seek urgent medical care if after surgery you develop spreading redness, increasing swelling, pus or drainage from the wound, a fever, severe or worsening pain, or a device that becomes stuck inflated or will not inflate at all. Early review of an infection can be the difference between saving and losing the implant.
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AMS 700 CX Cost in Bangkok (THB and USD)
Bangkok has become a recognised destination for penile implant surgery, with specialist urologists, internationally accredited hospitals, and pricing that undercuts the US and sits at or below UK private rates. The figures below are indicative ranges for an all-inclusive AMS 700 CX three-piece procedure and should be confirmed at consultation, because the final quote depends on the exact device, hospital, surgeon, and your individual case.
Item | Bangkok (THB) | Bangkok (USD approx.) | Notes |
AMS 700 CX, all-inclusive package | ฿480,000 – ฿750,000 | $13,500 – $21,000 | Device, surgeon, anaesthesia, hospital stay |
Malleable (semi-rigid) implant, for comparison | ฿250,000 – ฿380,000 | $7,000 – $11,000 | Lower cost, no pump |
Surgeon and anaesthesia fees | Usually bundled | Usually bundled | Confirm inclusions in writing |
Hospital stay (same day or 1 night) | Usually bundled | Usually bundled | Extra nights billed separately |
Some Bangkok clinics quote lower-end three-piece inflatable packages from roughly $9,000 to $13,000, so the floor above sits toward the more premium end; always ask exactly what each quote includes.
How that compares internationally, for the same three-piece inflatable category:
Country | Typical all-inclusive cost | Bangkok comparison |
Thailand (Bangkok) | $13,500 – $21,000 | Baseline |
United States | $24,000 – $40,000 | ~45 – 65% less |
United Kingdom | £9,000 – £18,000 (private) | Comparable to modestly below |
Australia | A$20,000 – A$40,000 | Comparable to ~20% less |
These are indicative; confirm the exact figure at your consultation. The clearest saving is against US private pricing; against UK and Australian private rates, Bangkok is broadly comparable to modestly cheaper, so the case for travelling is driven as much by surgeon access and waiting times as by headline price. Premium specialist clinics in Bangkok quote toward the higher end or above for branded three-piece devices, so always ask what is and is not included.
What drives the cost
The device itself. A branded three-piece inflatable with InhibiZone is the single largest line item; malleable rods cost far less because there is no pump or reservoir.
Model and configuration. CX, LGX, and CXR are priced similarly, but revision or complex anatomy may need different components.
Hospital and accreditation. Internationally accredited private hospitals cost more than smaller facilities, which buys you accredited theatres and intensive-care backup.
Surgeon experience. High-volume implant surgeons command higher fees, and implant volume is one of the better predictors of low complication rates.
Complexity. Severe Peyronie's, prior pelvic surgery or radiation, or a revision adds operative time and cost.
Length of stay and aftercare. Extra nights, extended follow-up, or treatment of complications are billed on top of the base package.
Ask whether financing or instalment options are available; some Bangkok clinics offer payment plans for elective procedures.
Choosing a Clinic Safely, and Red Flags
For a permanent implanted device, who operates matters as much as the brand.
What good looks like:
A urologist who performs penile implant surgery regularly, not occasionally, and will tell you their case volume.
A named, licensed surgeon (in Thailand, a Thai Medical Council licence number) you can verify before you commit.
Surgery in an accredited hospital with proper sterile theatres, not a day-spa or aesthetics studio.
A genuine consultation that examines you, reviews your medications and conditions, and confirms you have exhausted suitable non-surgical options first.
Clear written pricing that lists exactly what is included, and a frank discussion of risks, recovery, and that the procedure is irreversible.
Red flags to walk away from:
A fixed price or surgery date offered before any examination.
Pressure to decide quickly, or "today only" discounts on a major operation.
No named surgeon, no verifiable licence, or vague answers about where you would be operated on.
Claims that an implant will lengthen your penis, restore sensation, or restore fertility. It does none of those things.
No clear plan for what happens if you develop a complication after you fly home.
Talk to a Menscape Urologist
If oral and injectable treatments have run their course and you want a definitive, on-demand solution, the AMS 700 CX is a well-evidenced option worth discussing properly. Menscape offers private, discreet consultations in Bangkok where a urologist reviews your history, examines you, confirms whether you are a candidate, and gives you a transparent quote with the inclusions in writing. Book a private consultation to find out whether the AMS 700 CX, or a different model, is right for you. A penile implant is a prescription surgical device that always requires an in-person medical consultation.
*This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Figures are indicative and were reviewed in 2026.*
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AMS 700 CX firmer than the LGX?
The CX and LGX expand differently. The CX cylinders expand mainly in girth and give a very controlled, firm rigidity with little length change, which is why it is often chosen when firmness and a straight result matter most. The LGX expands in both girth and length, so it can restore some length when inflated. Neither is universally better; the right one depends on your anatomy and goals, which is a decision to make with your surgeon.
Will an AMS 700 CX implant make my penis longer?
No. An inflatable implant restores the ability to have a firm erection; it does not increase your resting (flaccid) length, and the CX in particular expands mainly in width rather than length. Some men feel they have lost a little length after implant surgery compared with a natural erection. If length is your goal and you do not have erectile dysfunction, that is a different, cosmetic procedure, not an ED implant.
Does a penile implant affect sensation, orgasm, or ejaculation?
The implant sits inside the erection chambers and does not interfere with the nerves responsible for sensation or with orgasm and ejaculation, which generally continue as before. It also does not affect fertility. What it changes is rigidity: it lets you create a firm erection on demand by using the pump.
How long does the AMS 700 CX last?
It is built for long-term use. A study of 397 men found mechanical survival of about 93 percent at 5 years and 78 percent at 10 years, meaning most implants are still working a decade after surgery. Devices can eventually fail mechanically over many years and may then need a revision (replacement) procedure, which is usually straightforward.
When can I have sex after AMS 700 CX surgery?
The device is usually first activated and you are taught to use it at about 4 to 6 weeks, and sexual activity is typically resumed around 6 to 8 weeks once your surgeon confirms healing. The Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding sex for at least four weeks, with your surgeon setting the exact date. Do not try to use the pump before you are cleared.
Can other people tell I have an implant?
The AMS 700 CX is entirely internal, including the pump in the scrotum and the reservoir behind the abdominal wall, so it is not visible when you are clothed or unclothed. The penis looks natural in its resting state because the cylinders are empty until you choose to inflate them. A partner would only notice the small pump if they specifically felt for it in the scrotum.
How much does the AMS 700 CX cost in Bangkok?
An all-inclusive AMS 700 CX three-piece procedure in Bangkok typically runs about 480,000 to 750,000 THB, roughly 13,500 to 21,000 USD, covering the device, surgeon, anaesthesia, and hospital stay. Some clinics quote lower-end packages from around 9,000 to 13,000 USD. That is commonly 45 to 65 percent less than comparable US private pricing, and broadly comparable to UK private rates. These are indicative ranges; the final figure depends on the hospital, surgeon, and your individual case and should be confirmed at consultation.
What are the main risks of the procedure?
The most serious risk is infection of the device, which is uncommon (roughly 1 to 3 percent for first-time three-piece implants) and is reduced further by the InhibiZone antibiotic coating and pre-operative antibiotics; if an infection does take hold the implant usually has to be removed. Other risks include mechanical failure over the years, erosion, persistent pain, and rarely urethral injury. Seek urgent care for spreading redness, fever, pus, severe pain, or a device stuck inflated.
Who should not get an AMS 700 CX implant?
It is not suitable for men with an active infection (systemic, skin, or urinary), an allergy to rifampin, minocycline, or other tetracyclines, or a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (these rule out the InhibiZone-coated version specifically). It is also generally deferred until poorly controlled diabetes or active smoking is optimised, and it is the wrong choice for ED that is mainly psychological and has not been properly assessed, since the surgery is irreversible.
Is the implant reversible if I change my mind?
Effectively no. Placing the cylinders alters the natural erectile tissue, so once you have an implant you cannot return to relying on tablets, injections, or natural erections. A device can be removed if it becomes infected or fails, but this is a treatment for a problem rather than a true reversal. That is why counselling and confirming you have exhausted non-surgical options come first.
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