Peyronies disease is also known as “Induratio penis plastica” or simply “curved penis”. It is usually a tissue disorder involving the growth of fibrous plaques in the soft tissue of the penis. It is named after named after the French surgeon Peyronie (1678-1747). Peyronies disease affects around 1-4% of men & most men who have this disease are usually not aware of it.
Reference: Peyronie’s disease wikipedia
Is is very common for men to have a small curve when erect. The curvature may varies from man to man & does not cause any interference with sexual activity. But in peyronies disease the curve is more visible & may also cause discomfort.
Peyronie’s disease usually develops after a trauma or injury to the penis. While the injury explains the cause of Peyronie’s disease, it does not explain the slow rate at which the cases develop (chronic cases).
What happens in Peyronies disease?
Peyronie’s disease is characterized by hard lump or a formation on the penis. This limp or the plaque often begins as inflammation & is usually non-cancerous in nature. This may later develop into a fibrous tissue & is followed by calcification of nearby connective tissues surrounding the erectile tissue. This calcification results in shrinking of the tissue plaque and results in one side of the penis being shorter than opposite side. As the disease progresses, the pain associated with Peyronie’s subsides, and then the fibrous tissue develops & ends up with curvature to the penis.
Symptoms of Peyronies disease?
The symptoms of Peyronie’s disease may vary from individual to individual. However there are some common symptoms which include:
- Plaque – The plaque on the top of the penis shaft causes the penis to bend upward. Similarly, presence of plaque on underside of the penis causes the penis to bend downward.
- Shortening of penis – In some cases the plaque develops on both top and bottom resulting in shortening of the penis
- Pain or bending during sexual intercourse
- Painful erections
As mentioned earlier, the plaque developed on the penis makes it less flexible, causing severe pain and making the penis bend when erect. Due to this many men with Peyronie’s disease encounter sexual problems as it becomes very difficult to get or maintain a normal erection.
In a follow-up study, 40% of the men reported worsening of the signs and symptoms of the disease over time. However with 47% of the men, the disease had stabilized after initial medication & inflammatory process. In 13% of the men, symptoms had even disappeared decreasing the risk of the disease. Please note that the symptoms of peyronies disease may also be related to other medical conditions, hence it is recommended to always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Can Peyronie’s disease result in erectile dysfunction?
Yes. Peyronie’s disease can not only cause curved penis & abnormal shape but can also result in minimizing the blood flow to the penis beyond the plaque. This results in erectile dysfunction & erection problems. This can only be resolved if plaque is corrected to ensure blood flow to the penis.
Can Peyronies cure by itself?
Peyronies disease can automatically heal over the course of time only if it occurs in mild form. In advanced stages improvement is not possible without medications. In some patients in absence of any medications, the condition may not get worse & remain stable while in some cases patients may see worsening of symptoms leading to potential complications.
If not treated on time, Peyronie’s disease can lead to severe deformity, erectile dysfunction, increased curvature & other related sexual problems.It is extremely important to address the problem as early as possible.
How is Peyronie’s disease diagnosed?
Complete physical examination & medical history of the patient helps in the diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease. Following tests also are used to confirm the occurrence of peyronies.
Ultrasound examination: This technique uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs.
Color Doppler examination: This technique is based on the ultrasound waves which are used to measure the flow of blood through a blood vessel. Such tests can help confirm erectile dysfunction & diagnose the overall anatomy.
How is Peyronies disease treated?
Peyronies cure – Can Peyronies be treated?
Peyronies treatment usually include medications & ways to help the patient be sexually active. However getting the right information about the disease is extremely important & is usually provided along with the treatment. In some cases though medical interventions may not be necessary where Peyronies disease occurs in a mild form. In such cases the disease heals without any treatment.
Some of the treatment provided for Peyronies disease include:
Surgery: Surgery for peyronies disease should be used at the last resort since it involves high risk of complications as well as side effects. Additionally the costs for such surgeries are usually high.
Radiation therapy: The radiation therapy is aimed at plaque on the penis & can help reduce pain. However this therapy may not affect plaque. Additionally this therapy comes with its own set of side effects. In some cases worsening of peyronies may also occur.
Drugs: Injections are also used to treat the plaques. But the injections do have unwanted side effects since such medications contain various chemical agents.
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