Peyronie's Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Peyronie's disease happens when a build-up of scar tissue leads to curved and painful erections. Sometimes, this disorder goes away on its own, but to treat Peyronie's disease, medicines, exercises, injections, or surgery may help.
This blog will explain Peyronie disease, its causes, symptoms, and treatments in detail.
What is Peyronie's disease?
Peyronie's disease is a disorder in which scar tissue in the male reproductive organ causes it to bend, curve, or lose length or girth. As a man, you might feel the scar tissue through the skin, or you can experience penile pain in a particular part of the male sexual organ as the scar tissue forms.
When you experience an erection, the male reproductive organ bends up, down, or to the side, based on the location of the scar. A few men having Peyronie's disease do not have a curve but can have an indentation that presents their male sexual organs as an hourglass appearance.
Several men with assigned male at birth (AMAB) do not have complete straight erections. If the male sexual organ has a little curve, even if you have had the penile curvature your entire life- it does not mean you suffer from Peyronie's disease.
Causes of Peyronie's disease
Genetics might be one of the causes of Peyronie's disease. This disorder is usually caused by injury to small blood vessels, which happens due to persistent intercourse, sports-related trauma, another kind of accident, or surgery. Cells might get trapped during the healing process and cause scar tissue.
There is also a chance that a man can suffer from Peyronie's disease if there is constant scar tissue. When the male reproductive organ is erect, the scarred area of the shell cannot stretch pulls, bending it to the direction of your scar.
It is essential to know that Peyronie's disease does not always happen in men who sustain penile injuries. Some men might be more predisposed to it than others because of certain risk factors. Certain connective tissue disorders such as Dupuytren's contracture, Plantar fasciitis, and Scleroderma can increase the risk of developing Peyronie's disease.
Symptoms of Peyronie's disease
A man suffering from Peyronie's disease can experience symptoms suddenly or after some time. The most common symptoms of Peyronie's disease include:
Scar tissue
The scar tissue associated with Peyronie's disease is also known as plaque. However, it is different from plaque that may build up in blood vessels or on the teeth.
The scar tissue is felt under the skin of your male sexual organ as flat lumps or a band of hard tissue. The area over your scar tissue may also be tender.
A bend to the male sexual organ
The male sexual organ might curve upward or downward, or it can bend to one side in some cases. It can bend your penis, rather than a straight, erect penis, when you attain an erection.
Pain in the male reproductive organ
You can experience pain symptoms with or without an erection.
Erection problems or Erectile dysfunction
Peyronie's disease can affect your erectile function and make it difficult for you to achieve and maintain an erection. This condition is known as erectile dysfunction. However, men with Peyronie's disease usually notice erectile dysfunction before the start of their other penile signs. During the treatment for ED, several ED medications may help, so with personalized guidance from medical experts, you might improve your erection problem.
Shortening of the male sexual organ
Due to Peyronie's disease, you will notice that male sexual organs have become shorter during erections.
With time, you will notice that the curving and penile shortening associated with Peyronie's disease is worse. Physical changes in the male reproductive organ also worsen or stay the same during the first or a half year.
However, pain during erections generally gets better within 1 to 2 years, but the scar tissue, penile shortening, and curving persist. It is not common, but the curving and pain caused by Peyronie's disease might get better without treatment.
Treatments for Peyronie's disease
It is essential to know there is no cure for Peyronie's disease. Depending on your symptoms, the doctor will suggest a treatment plan. If the male sexual organ curvature is not severe or painful and does not interfere with sexual intercourse, you might not require treatment.
Here are some treatment options for Peyronie's disease:
Medicine
Your doctor might recommend medicines, usually drugs injected into the male sexual organ during the acute phase of this condition. If you are suffering from severe pain or male sexual organ curvature over time, the doctor can suggest surgery.
Injectable treatments might involve a series of penile injections, which are responsible for breaking down the build-up of collagen.
Some injectable treatments for Peyronie's disease include:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xiaflex for men whose male sexual organ curves are more than thirty degrees during an erection.
Injectable Verapamil is given to treat high blood pressure, and Interferon injections help break down fibrous tissue.
Nonsurgical treatment options
There are some nonsurgical treatment options for Peyronie's disease, including:
- Penile traction therapy
- Shockwave therapy
- Vacuum devices
Also, men with Peyronie's disease try- Restorex penile traction therapy to improve their erectile function.
Surgery
The last course of action in the case of serious male sexual organ deformity and the chronic phase of this condition is surgery. Before turning to surgery for Peyronie's disease, doctors wait for plaques and curvature stabilization.
Lifestyle changes
Specific lifestyle changes can help in decreasing the risk of ED linked to Peyronie's disease, such as:
- Stopping the misuse of drugs
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing the consumption of alcohol
Summary
Thus, having Peyronie's disease can affect your sexual life and relationship with your partner. If you experience any symptoms affecting the male sexual organ, especially bringing changes to its size and shape, immediately contact the doctor. Diagnosis at the right time and proper treatment can help you to deal with Peyronie's disease.
Also, discover how to deal with ED Symptoms: Best ways to Treat Erectile Dysfunction for Men.
