Everything to Know About Peyronie’s Disease

Maybe you noticed what seems like an abnormal curvature. Perhaps sex is painful or difficult. Or he has started avoiding sex altogether. Your partner may be suffering from a fairly common condition called Peyronie’s disease.

What Exactly is Peyronie’s Disease?

Named after Francois Gigot de la Peyronie, this disorder occurs when plaque, more commonly known as scar tissue, blocks blood flow during an erection. This inflammation and blockage causes the penis to become bent and abnormally shaped. At least one in 11 men suffer from this condition, according to the Association of Peyronie’s Disease Advocates.

Although the majority of men who suffer from it are middle-aged, men in their 20s and 30s may also develop it.

• The First Signs:  Peyronie’s disease usually begins with penile deformity and also pain accompanying erections.
• The Initial Phase: Inflammation usually lasts between a year to 18 months.
• Lost Elasticity: The fibrous plaque takes over the normal stretchy fibers which can result in a misshapen penis.
• The Chronic Period: Once the initial phase subsides, the penis often remains abnormally curved.

The Causes of This Curvature

Experts can’t pinpoint the precise cause of Peyronie’s disease, but they do surmise that some sort of injury to the penis could lead to the condition. Like any part of our body, this organ could have been injured during sports, in some type of accident or even during sex. If the penis was injured, either once in a major accident or during a series of minor incidents, scar tissue could have formed. Then when aroused the already swollen penis may become deformed.

Since this disease occurs gradually, some men will suddenly notice that their penis is oddly curved.

Various Severities

Penises come in all sizes and shapes. Don’t confuse a slightly bent penis with Peyronie’s disease. Some sort of curve is normal.

Peyronie’s disease occurs over time and also varies. Some men with the condition may have a penis that is extremely curved while others are just slightly bent. Sometimes the bend is up, other times it’s down or to the side. The severity and position of the penile bend can make sex painful or difficult for both parties.

Who Gets It?

Many men diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease can’t even recall a specific incident. That’s why experts think it could be caused by a series of minor sports-related incidents or sexual encounters. Obviously, every injury in that area doesn’t lead to Peyronie’s disease.

• Older men are more likely to develop the condition.
• Genetics also play a part. Peyronie’s disease tends to run in the family.
• Individuals with certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or Sjogren’s syndrome are more likely to develop this condition.
• Connective tissue disorders, including Dupuytren’s contracture, when the palm and finger tissues are thickened and tightened, and plantar fasciitis, when the tissue at the bottom of the heel becomes inflamed, may also increase a man’s chances of developing Peyronie’s disease.
• Smokers, men with diabetes or high blood pressure are also more likely to suffer from abnormal penile curvature.

What Does It Look (And Feel) Like?

Besides the abnormal curvature of the penis, many men notice lumps in the penis during the initial stages of the disease. It tends to feel like a sort of knot underneath the skin, according to experts.

• Pain during erections is a trademark sign of Peyronie’s disease at the onset. But later down the road, the pain often subsides.
• The actual curvature can vary from 10 to 90 degrees.

Treating Peyronie’s Disease

Admitting that it’s an issue is the first step to treatment. Dealing with a condition down there can be a trying experience. Also, since studies show that between 22-54 percent of men with Peyronie’s disease also suffer from erectile dysfunction, it can be a difficult subject to raise.

The good news is that while there is no cure yet, there are many ways to treat it. Talk to your partner and let him know that there are a variety of effective treatments, surgical and nonsurgical, that will help him heal both physically and emotionally to live pain-free.

A urologist will be able to assess the issue, talk about options and decide the best course of action.

• Medication: Xiaflex is the only FDA approved medication specifically labeled for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease. The medication, injected multiple times a day for several weeks, helps break down the collagen or plaque, improving blood flow to the penis.
• Surgery: Depending on the severity of the condition, some men may opt for the surgical approach.
• Injection therapy: the P-Shot or Priapus Shot is a safe and pain-free option that helps treat the erectile dysfunction issues associated with Peyronie’s disease. The patients are injected with their own platelet rich plasma which helps stimulate new tissue growth. The result is longer and firmer erections.

Schedule a free consultation with Doctor Ghozland if you’re interested in the P-shot, a revolutionary treatment for Peyronie’s disease.