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Men often sweep their sexual conditions under the rug, regarding it as a great source of taboo and shame.
However, by doing so, they’re limiting their chances of living the best sex life with their partners.
One such condition that many men keep under wraps is Peyronie’s disease. It’s quite a common condition, affecting 1 out of 100 men in the USA aged 18 and older. However, given the secretive nature of a man’s sexual faults, the figure could be as high as 1 in 10.
This disease is categorized by the presence of scar tissue known as plaque. This scarring develops along the tunica albuginea, or the elastic membrane surrounding the penis.
When an erection occurs in a person with Peyronie’s disease, they can experience sharp and severe pain that can make sex difficult. In severe cases, it’ll feel impossible to enjoy sexual intercourse in its entirety.
If you have Peyronie’s disease, you’ll need to seek medical help as it rarely goes away on its own. In fact, it could even progressively worsen over time.
That said, with proper treatment, it’s possible to manage and remedy this condition before it hampers your sex life permanently.
Without further ado, let’s take a closer look into this condition.
What Causes Peyronie’s Disease?
The principal cause of Peyronie’s disease is an acute or repeated injury to the penis. The source of this injury can be either from a risky sex position, an athletic injury, or as a result of an accident.
When the penis gets injured, scar tissues form in the base when the body attempts to heal itself. However, this healing process can cause an excessive amount of scar tissue to form in the penis, causing it to become disfigured and curve at an odd angle.
While most causes of Peyronie’s disease are attributed to injury, there are some rare instances where it develops gradually and without stemming from any sort of injury.
This means that some forms of Peyronie’s disease are inherited or caused by external environmental factors. However, in the vast majority of cases, Peyronie’s disease is caused by accumulated micro-injuries to the penis.
What Does Peyronie’s Disease Look Like?
Peyronie’s disease is among the most common connective tissue disorders among males. It’s a common form of erectile dysfunction that’s marked by penile pain due to excessive scar tissue and extreme penile curvature.
Patients suffering from this connective tissue disorder have visible scar tissue forming at some parts of the penis. This causes the erect penis to bend at odd angles or in an indented manner.
The curvature of the penis is also determined by the location of fibrous scar tissue. For instance, if the scar tissue is situated towards the lower part of the penis, it can result in a downward bend of the penis.
In some cases, the penis could also become shorter or develop an odd hour-glass like shape. Some people suffering from this condition also have calcium in their penis, making it feel bony.
Hard, flat lumps of scar tissue may also be felt upon touching the penis. If there’s an unnatural bump when tracing your erect penis, Peyronie’s disease may be the reason for it.
Stages of Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease has two stages: the acute phase and the chronic phase. Both cases would need medical attention as they could lead to painful erections and even penile shortening.
Here are ways to tell what phase you are on:
- Acute phase: The first signs of pain and weird curving of the penis, usually lasting 5 to 7 months. You will feel pain when you get erect, and the scar is starting to form.
- Chronic phase: The scar no longer changes shape. The penis doesn’t bend more severely either. There’s also less pain during erections.
As mentioned earlier, not all men with Peryonie’s disease suffer it because of injury. Certain connective tissue disorders like tympanosclerosis or Dupuytren’s contractures can increase the risk of people contracting this condition.
Whatever the case, men with Peyronie’s disease should seek medical help before the scar tissue forms and solidifies.
Signs and Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease
Noticing the signs of Peyronie’s disease is key to treating it. Here are the most common Peyronie’s disease symptoms to be aware of:
- Scar tissue
- An upward or downward penis bend
- Penile shortening
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain with and without erection
- Penile deformity
While the pain may subside in a year or two, the curvature and scar tissue remain.
How to Get Diagnosed for Peyronie’s Disease
It’s important to diagnose Peyronie’s disease before fully committing to treating the condition. This is to ensure that you’re not dealing with other health conditions.
A urologist will first perform a physical exam to get a sense of how much scar tissue your penis is dealing with. They will also measure the penile length and determine the degree of shortening.
They may also require you to take photos of your erect penis to determine the right course of action for your treatment. From there, they could conduct additional tests like an ultrasound to discover abnormalities and scar tissue within the interior side of the penis.
Treatment Options for Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease treatment will depend on what stage you’re currently in and other factors surrounding your diagnosis.
For people in the acute phase of Peyronie’s disease, doctors may recommend patients to undergo penile traction therapy to stop the further shortening of the penis. This treatment would also stop the curvature of the penis.
In some cases, injections may also be prescribed during this phase.
Chronic Peyronie’s disease patients can also be administered injections, medications, and penile traction therapy. Some medications that are typically offered include:
- Collagenese
- Verapamil
- Interferon
RestoreWave therapy is another viable treatment plan for sufferers of this condition.
However, in severe cases, surgery—whether through plication, implants, or incision—is suggested as the best course of action.
Receive Sexual Health Guidance at Prestige Men’s Medical Center, Tampa’s Top Male Clinic
Peyronie’s disease can be debilitating, but don’t count yourself down and out when it comes to having an active sex life if you’re diagnosed with it.
There are many ways you can safely restore your erectile function. Go through the best treatment plan for you by contacting one of our in-house medical professionals.
Need other treatments? We also provide RestoreWave therapy, adrenal fatigue treatment, PE treatment, testosterone treatment, and many more clinical plans to help you live the life you deserve.
Book a free consultation with the medical professionals at Prestige Men’s Medical Center in Tampa today.
