Peyronie’s disease: diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment
What is Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease is a non-cancerous condition characterized by fibrous scar tissue on the penis. This causes curved painful erections. Penises vary in shape and size, and having a curved erection doesn’t necessarily indicate health problems. Some men suffer from Peyronie’s disease and experience significant pain or bend.
A person with Peyronie’s disease may not be able to have physical intercourse or may have difficulty getting and maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction). Stress, anxiety, and penile shortening are common side effects of Peyronie’s disease for many men.
In most cases, Peyronie’s disease does not disappear by itself. Peyronie’s disease will often remain untreated or worsen in most men. The condition can be prevented from deteriorating or even improved with early treatment. In some cases, treatment may even help improve troublesome symptoms such as pain, tightness, curvature, and penile shortening.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease
The symptoms of Peyronie’s disease may appear suddenly or develop gradually. Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the following signs and symptoms:
Significant bending of the penis
You might have an upward or downward curve in your penis. This shows that you might be suffering from Peyronie’s disease
Having scar tissue
A scar tissue related to Peyronie’s disease is similar to a plaque, but not the same as plaque. It can build up in blood vessels and feel like flat lumps or a band of hard tissue under the penis’s skin.
Suffering from erection problems
The disease can cause problems getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction). Some men experience erectile dysfunction before symptoms of Peyronie’s disease begin
Experiencing other penile deformities
A man with Peyronie’s disease may have a narrowed, indented or hourglass-like penis with a thin, tight band surrounding the stem
Shortening of the penis
If your penis becomes shorter then this is a sign that you are suffering from Peyronie’s disease.
Suffering from penile pain
If you are suffering from penile pain with or without an erection then you are at risk of Peyronie’s disease
Risk factors of Peyronie’s disease
A minor injury to the penis does not always result in Peyronie’s disease. Many factors can contribute to poor wound healing and scar tissue build-up, which could contribute to Peyronie’s disease. The following are among them:
Heredity
Peyronie’s disease is more likely to affect you if you have a family member who has it.
Connective tissue disorders
It seems that men with certain connective tissue disorders are more likely to develop Peyronie’s disease.
Age
Men of any age can contract Peyronie’s disease, but the condition is more prevalent among men in their 50s and 60s.
Complication: Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease may cause the following complications:
· An inability to have sexual relations.
· The inability to obtain or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
· Difficulty fathering a child due to inability to conduct intercourse
· Penis reduced in size
· Chronic pain in the aging body
· Stress or anxiety related to your sexual abilities or penis’ appearance
· Relationship problems with your partner
Diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease can be diagnosed through a physical exam by observing the presence of scar tissue in the penis. The following tests can help diagnose Peyronie’s disease and discover exactly what is causing your symptoms:
Physical exam- To identify the amount and location of scar tissue, your doctor will feel (palpate) your penis when it’s not erect. A doctor might also request photos of your erect penis taken at home. It can tell your doctor that what degree of curvature you have, whether you have scar tissue, and make it easier to diagnose your condition
Other tests- Most commonly, ultrasound is used to detect abnormalities in the penis. When your penis is erect, your doctor may order an ultrasound or other tests to examine it. An injection is likely to be given directly into your penis before testing. You will likely receive an injection that causes your penis to erect before the test.
Treatment options for Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease treatment depends on how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms.
1. Acute phase- In the acute phase, you may suffer penile pain. If the penis is painful, curled or deformed, or has a deformity, you may have penile pain. The acute phase may last between two and four weeks, but it can also last for much longer.
In the acute phase of the disease, treatments include:
- Penile traction therapy – Traction therapy can minimize curvature and prevent length loss in the penile section.
- Medical and injection therapies – There are several types of injections and medications available to treat the acute phase. Medical and injection therapies are effective to treat Peyronie’s disease.
2. Chronic phase- Penile pain and changes in the shape, size, or curvature of the penis are not present, and your symptoms are stable. In general, the chronic phase of the disease occurs around 3 to 12 months after the onset of symptoms.
Several treatments are available for the chronic phase of the disease.
- Injection treatments – Injection and medication can be offered by your doctors to treat the chronic phase of Peyronie’s disease. Medication and injection might help you get rid of Peyronie’s disease.
- Surgery – the last option to treat is surgery. If the medication and therapy don’t work then your doctor will suggest surgery to treat Peyronie’s disease.
Why choose Dr. Sandeep Nunia for treatment of Peyronie pain.
Dr. Sandeep Nunia specializes in treating Peyronie’s disease and treats more than 300 men who have this condition each year. Dr. Nunia carefully evaluates the patient’s condition and develops a treatment plan that may include medication, surgery, and physical therapy. He is an expert and the best urologist in Jaipur, Rajasthan.