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No organ is quite like the penis. It’s highly sensitive and complex—and can be affected by a long list of conditions, including Peyronie’s disease.
Peyronie’s disease is marked by the buildup of scar tissue in the erectile tissues, leading to painful and curved erections that can make having intercourse feel like an impossibility.
As mentally taxing as it is physically demanding, it’s natural for sufferers to feel frustrated about their condition. But do know this: treatment is available to minimize pain and improve your quality of life.
From medication and therapy to surgery, let’s delve deeper into what Peyronie’s disease is and the options available to help you achieve an erect penis you’re proud of.
What Is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s disease is a condition that develops due to fibrous scar tissue (or plaque) on the penis and causes curved and painful erections.
While it’s noncancerous and does not affect your fertility, it can shorten your penile length and reduce your girth. It can also lead to painful erections that might make you regret having one in the first place.
Besides pain, the penis curves greatly in patients with this condition. The severe curvature can be directed in different directions, from upwards to left and right.
In other instances, scarring circles your entire penis, causing it to narrow and reduce your girth. This is known as “waisting” or “bottleneck” deformity.
Peyronie’s disease doesn’t pop up acutely; traumatic injuries due to rough sex or accidents are the primary cause of plaque or scar tissue formation.
You may contact an erectile dysfunction practitioner in Jacksonville to help diagnose your condition through medical imaging tests.
Signs of Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease can present itself differently, depending on the severity of the scarring.
If you exhibit these signs, you may have Peyronie’s disease:
- Bent and curved penis
- Lumps or hard areas on the shaft of the penis
- Shortening and narrowing of the penis
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain in the penis, especially during an erection
Besides the physical conditions, the mental ramifications of this disease are also noteworthy. About 4 in 5 men with Peyronie’s are stressed, depressed, and lacking energy.
If this disease is diminishing your quality of life, speak to a local male wellness professional to help you deal with these conditions and help you achieve quality sexual intercourse again.
Causes of Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease has two main causes: injury and autoimmune disorders.
Scar tissue, called plaque, can develop after an injury to the penis, such as from bending or hitting. This is often the result of rough or vigorous sex.
Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, can also cause various connective tissue disorders like Peyronie’s disease. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks erectile cells, causing the formation of scar tissue over the long term.
If you have concerns about the cause of your symptoms, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis of your erectile function.
Treatments for Peyronie’s Disease
Around 1 in 100 men in the United States are affected with Peyronie’s disease, though the real figure may be very close to 1 in 10 men, according to earlier studies.
Peyronie’s disease is one condition that rarely goes away on its own. However, men with Peyronie’s disease can choose from a variety of treatment options to treat this connective tissue disorder.
Here are some of the most common treatments for Peyronie’s disease.
1. Penile Injections
For men who have been diagnosed with Peyronie’s early, intralesional injections can help reduce pain caused by Peyronie’s without surgical intervention.
Intralesional collagenase injections (Xiaflex) are currently the only FDA-approved treatment for Peyronie’s disease. However, Interferon-alpha 2b and Verapamil are also effective in reducing penile pain and curvature.
A published study showed that 51 out of 53 men have shown an improvement in the angle of curvature after three collagenase injections.
Injecting verapamil into the plaque of the penis can provide relief by softening it and reducing any associated discomfort.
That said, these injections can only be performed in a doctor’s clinic. Oral medications may also be prescribed to alleviate pain.
2. Surgery
If there are little to no symptomatic improvements, a urologist may advise patients to undergo surgery.
This treatment is not performed when Peyronie’s has just recently formed; rather, it’s prescribed by doctors a year or two after your plaque and curving stabilize.
Several surgeries can treat Peyronie’s disease. These surgeries include:
- Grafting: Plaque in your penis is removed and replaced with tissue from another part of your body.
- Plication: The urologist will remove or pinch a piece of the tunica albuginea from the side of the penis opposite the plaque to help straighten it.
- Device Implants: Penile implants can be considered an option if you are suffering from both Peyronie’s and erectile dysfunction or not having adequate rigidity.
Most of these surgeries have a satisfaction rate of 50% up to 100%.
That said, there are side effects such as numbing, erectile dysfunction, and a permanently shortened penis.
3. Vacuum Erectile Devices
A vacuum erectile device (VED), also known as a penis pump, is used to help men with erectile dysfunction get and maintain an erection.
It utilizes a vacuum to draw blood into your penis and a band at the base of your penis stops it from draining out.
While VED is often prescribed for ED patients, it can also straighten the curvature caused by Peyronie’s disease,
In a study out of 53 men, those who initiated VED therapy showed a statistically significant reduction in their penile curvature, compared to 20 men who showed no change without VED.
4. RestoreWave Therapy
Also known as acoustic wave therapy or shockwave therapy, RestoreWave therapy is an emerging therapy utilizing low-intensity sound waves to repair and generate blood vessels in the applied area.
Shockwave therapy has also shown application in Peyronie’s disease by breaking down plaque, which is the main cause of pain and curvature.
In a study with 325 patients, after shockwave treatment, patients experienced a mild lengthening of their penis size and a deduction of their curvature.
5. Penile Traction Therapy
This therapy involves using a penile traction device to mechanically stretch the penis to straighten it and improve deformity.
It’s often prescribed during the acute phase of Peyronie’s disease, but it can also work in the chronic phase (later stage of Peyronie’s disease) in combination with other treatments.
Around 70% of men using penile traction therapy daily showed a penile length increase of 1.5 cm after 4 months, according to a traction therapy study.
Jacksonville’s Leading Male Health Clinic Can Help Men Regain Sexual Vitality Long Term
Peyronie’s disease can turn once highly sexual individuals into hollow, sexless husks. While complete recovery is unachievable, it’s more than possible to manage the condition and restore your sex drive, no matter your age.
Options such as medication, injections, and surgery can help to reduce the penis curvature of the penis and improve sexual function.
With the proper treatment, it’s possible to manage Peyronie’s disease and improve your quality of life.
Need further assistance? If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE), contact Jacksonville male clinic Prime Men’s Medical Center now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are one of Florida’s leading men’s clinics providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Low Testosterone therapy, RestoreWave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.
