Mayo Clinic states that Peyronie’s disease may cause deformity to the penis. Such deformity may include:
- A significant bend in the penis, either upward, downward, or to the side
- Shortening of the penis
- Indentations in the penis
- Narrowing of the penis
- An hourglass-like shape to the penis shaft
In addition to the above possible deformities of what Peyronie’s disease looks like, PD disease is often very painful. The pain and deformity may both contribute to a restricted or non-existent sex life and, if untreated, these effects may lead to more significant emotional and psychological conditions.
Causes of Peyronie’s Disease
Healthline states that Peyronie’s disease may be the result of genetics or age. Additionally, acute or chronic trauma to the penis may cause Peyronie’s disease, according to Mayo Clinic. Some of the circumstances where a penile injury may occur include:
- During an athletic event, specifically, if an object strikes a man in the penis and causes trauma
- During sex, whether the injury results from a single event or repeated trauma over time
- Any circumstance where a man’s penis is injured
Whether because of injury or genetic condition, Peyronie’s results in the buildup of plaque and scar tissue in the penis that can cause deformity and resulting pain.
Known Risk Factors for Developing Peyronie’s Disease
According to the Mayo Clinic, several factors may increase a man’s odds of developing Peyronie’s disease. Some of these risk factors include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Smoking
- Prostate surgery
- Health disorders such as Dupuytren’s contracture and other connective tissue disorders
- Aging, which can weaken penis tissue and increase a man’s risk of injury
Regardless of the cause of Peyronie’s disease, it’s critical that men seek treatment with minimal side effects.
Choosing the Right Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease directly affects the penis, which can, in turn, affect romantic relationships that may be essential to a man’s happiness. When Peyronie’s is left untreated, the pain and lack of romantic involvement can lead to more serious conditions.
According to an article published in the Asian Journal of Andrology, the effects that result from Peyronie’s can diminish a man’s psychological and emotional health. A few of the consequences that may be caused by PD disease may include:
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty maintaining a romantic relationship
If men are suffering from Peyronie’s disease, and especially if they developed a more serious condition such as depression, it’s important that they weigh their options for treatment and make the decision that has the lowest risk and greatest potential benefit.
Possible Side Effects of Peyronie’s Disease Surgery
According to the University California San Francisco, surgeries designed to correct Peyronie’s can lead to serious side effects, including:
- Impotence, or the inability to get or maintain an erection
- Nerve injury, which may also affect a man’s ability to get or maintain an erection
- Anesthesia-related complications
A man may not have to put himself at risk of suffering these side effects. There are non-surgical treatment options for treating Peyronie’s disease.
Shockwave Therapy is Safe and Effective Treatment for PD Disease
Shockwave therapy is one non-surgical treatment option for treating Peyronie’s disease and resulting erectile dysfunction. Before choosing shockwave therapy, it’s important that men speak with their doctors to treat any underlying conditions that may have caused their PD. Once they are ready to address the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease, they should consider shockwave therapy.
Shockwave Therapy Uses Soundwaves to Improve Sexual Health
Shockwave therapy consists of low-intensity soundwaves that break down scar tissue in the penis. Shockwave therapy may also increase blood flow while targeting scar tissue, with the end effect being the reduction of any unnatural curvature of the penis. A treatment of this kind may alleviate the symptoms that have characterized a man’s erectile dysfunction to date.
Urologist Daniel Stokes testifies to the effectiveness of shockwave therapy for treating erectile dysfunction in the Cleveland Clinic’s digital publication. He states that shockwave therapy promotes blood growth in the penis that may result in strong, lasting erections. He adds that shockwave therapy has a track record of being both safe and effective in treating erectile dysfunction.
A study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research echoes those findings. The study concludes that most patients with Peyronie’s disease experienced pain relief after undergoing shockwave therapy.
A different study published in Translational Andrology and Urology supports the effectiveness of soundwave therapy as a treatment for Peyronie’s disease.
Men Can Call a GAINSWave® Treatment Provider Today
Men don’t have to accept their Peyronie’s disease as a fact of life, and risky surgeries aren’t the only option for treatment. Men with PD disease can learn more about alternate treatments for Peyronie’s disease with little to no known side effects by calling a GAINSWave® therapy provider today.
