Peyronie's Disease in Men

What is Peyronie's Disease?

Peyronie's disease affects the penis; it's a noncancerous condition. Under it, the fibrous scar tissue develops on the penis, resulting in a curve or bend of the penis when it erects. It causes pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse and also make it to get an erection. The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is unknown, but injury and trauma to the penis may result in most cases. 

The conditions may have a significant bend or pain in some men, which is a cause for concern. Also, in some men, Peyronie's disease may bring stress and anxiety. 

There is less chance of this disease going away on its own. In most men, these conditions will remain or, in some cases, worsen. In contrast, a treatment soon after developing the condition can help more effectively. Early treatment can prevent it from worsening or even improving the symptoms. 

Symptoms of Peyronie's disease

The sign and symptoms of Peyronie's disease may appear suddenly or develop gradually. Some common signs and symptoms may help detect such a condition. It includes:

A Significant curve or bend to the penis- The penis may form a curve upward or downward or bend to one side.

Scar tissue

The scar tissue formed due to Peyronie's disease is also called plaque. But it is quite different from plaque which builds up in blood vessels. It can be easily felt under the skin of the penis as a complex and flat lump. 

Pain or discomfort during erection may cause penile pain, especially with erection. Some men may experience pain without having an erection. 

Shortening of the penis

Due to Peyronie's disease, the penis might get shorter than it was.

Erection problems

The condition may also contribute to a sexual fault like Erectile dysfunction. But most men report Ed before symptoms associated with Peyronie's begin. 

Symptoms like penile shortening and curvature may gradually worsen due to Peyronie's disease. This condition may stabilize after three to 12 months or more. Symptoms like pain during erections may take one or two years to improve. But the scar tissue, penile shortening and curvature often remain in Peyronie's disease. In some men, symptoms like pain and curvature improve without any treatment. 

Risk factors for Peyronie's Disease 

Certain risk factors can lead to Peyronie's disease. Even minor injury to the penis can sometimes be a risk factor, but not always. And various factors that may lead to Peyronie's disease contributes to poor wound healing and scar tissue buildup on the penis. These risk factors include-

Heredity

If your family member has Peyronie's disease, you have an increased risk of having such a condition. 

Age

Another risk factor for Peyronie's disease is age. This condition can occur in men of any age, but the prevalence of the condition increases with age. Men, especially those in their 50s and 60s, are more likely to face Peyroni'es disease. Younger men have less curvature due to Peyronie's disease. However, it is more familiar with a condition called Congenital penile curvature. And a slight curvature in younger men is normal. They should be concerned about it. 

Connective tissue disorders

Men with certain tissue disorders may more likely develop Peyronie's disease. For instance, Most men with Peyronie's disease also face cordlike thickening across the palm. It causes the fingers to pull inwards, known as Duputren's contracture. Such connective tissue disorder can be a risk factor for Peyronie's disease in most men. 

Another risk factor for Peyronie's disease includes certain health conditions and smoking. Also, Some types of prostate surgery can be linked to Peyronie's disease. 

Complications of Peyronie's disease

These are some complications that you may have to deal with if you have Peyronie's disease-

• Difficulty getting or keeping an erection(Erectile dysfunction)
• Unable to have sexual intercourse
• Anxiety or stress due to your sexual inabilities or the appearance of your penis
• Reduction in your penis length
• Penile pain
• Difficulty becoming a father of a child because it makes intercourse difficult or impossible
• Relationship problems with your sexual partner and stress in your relationship.

Diagnosis for Peyronie's Disease

 A doctor may conduct a physical examination to diagnose Peyronie's disease. 

Secondly, a doctor may ask for an ultrasound or MRI to determine the condition. It will help to get the exact size, location and number of plaques formed on the penis due to the condition. 

Treatments for Peyronie's disease

In mild cases, the symptoms of Peyronie's disease may resolve independently over time.

For severe cases, A doctor may advise treatment options such as:

Oral Medications

These oral medications help relieve pain and plaque size. It includes medications like vitamin E, pentoxifylline, or colchicine.

Injection

Injections are directly given into the plaque to reduce scar tissue on the penis.

Surgery

A doctor may advise surgery if other treatments are ineffective in severe cases. It may include plaque excision, grafting or penile implant surgery. 

It's essential to consult a doctor if you find such signs and symptoms of Peyronie's disease. This condition may significantly impact a person's life. So it is essential to seek medical care before the condition worsens and gets out of hand.

Some FaQs

What does Peyronie's disease look like?

Peyronie's disease may make your erect penis narrow or indented. Even it may have an hourglass-like appearance with a tight band around the shaft. In simple words, you may have a significant bend to the penis. And it might curve upward or downward or bend to one side. 

How long does Peyronie's disease last?

Peyronie's disease is generally categorized into 2 stages, the acute phase and the chronic phase. In both phases, the curved/bend penis may cause difficulty during sex. It can also lead to sexual problems like Erectile dysfunction (ED). In Peyronie's disease, the acute phase typically lasts 5 to 7 months, but in some rare cases, it can last up to 18 months. 

What is the effective way to cure Peyronie's disease?

Having surgery is one of the most effective treatments for Peyronie's disease. Surgery can help correct the curvature of your penis and structure back into a straight position. However, it is only recommended in severe cases of Peyronoie's who fail to respond to non-surgical treatments. Or for a man who has been dealing with curvature for longer than 12 months.

Does Viagra help Peyronie's disease?

Viagra a prescription medicine has shown any evidence of improving the penile deformity caused due to Peyronie's disease. Viagra is generally known for its vasodilation effects that help improve blood flow into the penis. Therefore it may only improve erections in men with Peyronie's disease. But make sure to consult with a doctor before you use it, in case you are suffering from Peyronie's disease.

How do you stop Peyronie's pain?

To reduce or stop Peyronie's pain, you can use OTC medications, mind-body techniques, and a heating pad. Moreover, you can visit a doctor to seek medical treatment like shockwave therapy if it's effective.

In conclusion, Peyronie's disease is a noncancerous condition. It happens when scar tissue forms on the penis. During sex, it can cause pain and discomfort, and the penis can bend when it gets hard. To diagnose this condition, doctors usually do a physical exam and use ultrasound or MRI imaging to determine the size, location, and number of plaques caused by the condition. The treatment for such a condition depends on how severe it is. If other methods fail, treatment options may include oral medication, injections, or surgery. If you notice any signs of Peyronie's disease, see your doctor immediately for treatment.