Peyronie’s disease affects every man differently. While some may experience only a slight change in their penis shape and size, others may suffer from serious abnormalities. There is little research that suggests there is any damage to the urinary tract caused by Peyronie’s disease. However, the ability to stand while urinating, as well as the trajectory of waste, may pose more of a challenge to some men than others.
Peyronie’s disease is technically considered to be a wound-healing disorder. It occurs when scar tissue builds up inside the shaft of the penis. This scar tissue, referred to as plaque, can cause the penis to bend or curve in such a way that prevents sexual intercourse. Additionally, this can lead to an indentation or hourglass shape to the penis, which can shorten the organ and create painful erections.
There is no cure for Peyronie’s disease, nor can it be prevented. However, there are some treatments available designed to treat its symptoms.
Causes of Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease is an acquired condition. Many men worldwide have curved penises that are the result of genetics. Peyronie’s disease causes changes in the penis that can occur over the course of six months to a year. Curvature that is hereditary will remain constant throughout a man’s lifetime.
The leading cause of this ailment is trauma to the penis. This injury may be from a single significant event or several smaller traumas experienced during normal sexual intercourse. To repair this damage, the penis will develop scar tissue to prevent further harm. However, this serves to reduce penile elasticity and can cause the member to take on an unnatural shape. Some men are unable to recall experiencing any type of event that would cause injury to their groin. Yet Peyronie’s disease can be a sign of other underlying medical conditions.
These can include:
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Complications from prostate cancer surgery
- Heart disease
Peyronie’s disease can only be diagnosed by a medical professional following a physical exam. Bloodwork may be drawn to check for any preexisting health conditions that may have contributed to the development of this affliction. According to the International Journal of Clinical Practice, many doctors may use a “wait and see” approach to determine whether the condition will heal on its own. However, the illness rarely remedies itself unless it’s exceptionally mild.
Psychological Effects of Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease can be quite exasperating for many reasons. While this disease isn’t life-threatening, it can account for a significant increase in emotional distress for affected patients. Translational Andrology and Urology found that 80% of men with some form of erectile dysfunction are afflicted with severe depressive symptoms stemming from their condition. In the same study, over 50% of men reported that as a result of their diagnosis, the quality of their romantic relationships had greatly suffered.
The stigma associated with reporting the occurrence of this disease has led to skewed data. The University of Utah states that anywhere from 4% to 13% of the male population is struggling with Peyronie’s disease. However, because of the shame that is associated with discussing sexual functions with a doctor, this statistic is probably much higher. This study suggests that because of the high number of cases that are going unreported, there is likely a great number of men who struggle with untreated emotional distress as well.
Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease
While there is currently no known cure for Peyronie’s disease, there are several treatment options available that can treat the complications associated with this illness.
These can include:
- Surgery. Some operations seek to remove the penile scar tissue that is causing complications. Additionally, in severe cases, a penile implant is placed inside the organ. A pump implant is another option. The pump is placed in the scrotum and can be used to inflate the penis to engage in sexual intercourse.
- Medications. Since the 1990s, oral medications have been the drug of choice when looking to treat erectile dysfunction. However, because of the range of side effects in these prescriptions, as well as the hidden active ingredients, this solution isn’t right for everyone.
- Injections. An emerging technology that seeks to treat Peyronie’s disease is the P-Shot®, an injection that uses platelet-rich plasma to encourage penile blood flow. The formula is created from the patient’s own blood and uses isolated growth factors to promote tissue growth. This is done as an in-office procedure and usually takes less than an hour.
GAINSWave® Therapy Works to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Many men who are suffering from Peyronie’s disease and aren’t responding to treatment regimens may be at a loss of what to do next. This is where GAINSWave® therapy, an extracorporeal shockwave treatment, comes in. This procedure uses high-frequency, low-intensity soundwaves to break down plaque in the penis. It also seeks to stimulate the release of growth factors to aid in the formation of new blood vessels. This procedure is revolutionizing the way medical professionals view men’s sexual health. For more information on this cutting-edge treatment, contact a GAINSWave® therapy provider by going to www.gainswave.com/directory today.
