Peyronie’s disease is something that you must have heard of. It is marked by scar tissue, known as plaque, which forms within the penis. This problem may lead to a bent and erect penis. Most men can comfortably engage in sexual intercourse even after having this penis disease. However, it may lead to erectile dysfunction for some men and even persistent pain as well.
Reasons Behind Peyronie’s Disease
Doctors have still been unable to accurately highlight the real cause behind the occurrence of Peyronie’s disease. Many scientists feel that the plaque may happen due to any trauma resulting from any bending or an injury which leads to bleeding within the penis. This may or may not be noticed by the individual. Other reasons could be genetic as well. Both genetic factors and injuries may cause this issue for some men. Some medications also have this disease as a side effect although there is no proof available as of yet.
Symptoms and Other Aspects
- This disease mostly impacts men who are middle-aged. However, older or younger men may also get this disease.
- It is common with aging although not a normal component of the same.
- Symptoms may manifest suddenly or build up over a period of time. Problems may be undetected when the penis remains soft. However, the hard plaque sometimes affects overall flexibility in severe scenarios. This may lead to pain and lead to the penis bending or arching whenever it is erect.
- The pain may vanish with the passage of time in some cases although the bending position may worsen as well.
- Most men who have this condition, often develop scar tissues at other places in the body including their feet and hands. Those with Dupuytren’s contractures may get this disease. This condition is characterized by scarring in the hand and an impact on the fingers as well.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- You should always inform the doctor about any injury that you have witnessed that took place prior to the onset of symptoms.
- You will have to go through an examination where the hardened tissue will be examined by the doctor through a specific procedure.
- It may not always be required but if the penis has to remain erect for examination, then the doctor will inject a specific medicine for ensuring the same.
- You may require an X-ray or ultrasound scan for the penis as well.
- You may have to go through a biopsy as well in rare cases when the doctor cannot confirm the ailment or if the condition grows swiftly.
- Peyronie’s disease treatment options are available but not everyone may need the same. Some men witness improvements in this condition without any treatment and doctors often recommend waiting for 1-2 years before attempting to fix the issue.
- Mild cases will not usually require Peyronie’s treatment and the pain only takes place with erections and is mild in nature. If it does not hinder sexual intercourse, then treatment may not be required at all.
- Medication or surgeries will be recommended by the doctor, depending upon the condition of the patient.
- The doctor may initially recommend pills like potassium para-aminobenzoate or Potaba and pentoxifylline. If these do not work properly, then you can consider collagenase or Xiaflex and verapamil injected into the penis scar tissue.
- If nothing seems to work out, then surgery may be necessary although it is only for those who cannot have sexual intercourse due to this problem.
- Surgical operations may either remove the plaque build-up and get tissues grafted instead, or modify/remove tissues on the penis side just opposite to the plaque, combating the bending effect of the condition.
There is no guaranteed remedy with these procedures. The first step may lead to issues with erections while the second one may lead to shortening of your erect penis. It is also known as the Nesbit procedure in medical terminology. Some men may require the implantation of a penile prosthesis. This is only for those with both erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease.
Most surgery types are helpful in this regard though owing to several complications, doctors only choose operations for a smaller number of men with penis curvature and only if it hinders a normal sexual life. B vitamins and Vitamin E may not always help although some claims have been made in this regard.
Other treatment options which have not been proven include injection of chemicals into the plaque directly and also radiation therapy. However, the latter may only relieve pain without treatment and is rarely recommended by doctors for their patients. For most men who are suffering from recurrent pain due to this condition, it may go away by itself with the reduction of the penile inflammation in question. This procedure may require 6-18 months on average.
FAQs
Who is more vulnerable towards Peyronie’s disease?
Middle-aged men are more vulnerable towards this disease. However, that is not to say that younger or older men may not suffer from this condition. Any man can face this issue due to various reasons.
What is the commonest reason behind Peyronie’s disease?
The reasons may include trauma resulting from an injury or even from bending. There could also be genetic reasons that lead to this condition. Some men may suffer from the condition due to a mix of both these factors.
What are the two surgical methods used in severe cases of Peyronie’s disease?
The first surgical method removes the build-up of plaque while grafting tissue to replace the same. The second one is known as the Nesbit procedure and removes or alters tissues on the side of the penis which is opposite to the plaque, helping in reducing the bending effect of the disease.