Peyronie’s disease causes abnormal, fibrous lumps (plaques) to form inside the erectile tissue of the penis resulting in pain and discomfort.
Over time, these plaques can grow and deform the erect penis and cause it to curve.
Peyronie’s disease usually affects the upper side of the penis, but the disease may sometimes target the lower side or both sides. Infection or injury to the penis can lead to Peyronie’s disease, but the cause remains unknown in the majority of cases.
The condition is more common in middle-aged and older men. Peyronie’s disease affects around 3% of men aged 30 to 80 years.
Around 16 to 20% of men with Peyronie’s disease develop other forms of fibrosis or plaques. A common example is Dupuytren’s contracture – the shortening of the connective tissue of the palm, which causes one or more of the fingers to start to close (most commonly, the little or ring finger is affected).
Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease (PD)
Peyronie’s disease can be mild, moderate, or severe. It may appear suddenly or progress slowly over a matter of weeks or months.
The progression of symptoms may include:
- A small, localized ache or discomfort is felt in the penis.
- A lump forms at the site of the ache (the lump may be painless).
- The plaque contracts as it spreads, bending or kinking the erect penis towards the affected side.
- Erections become uncomfortable or painful.
- Erections are softer than usual.
- There may be one or several plaques.
The structure of the penis
The erectile tissue of the penis – called corpora cavernosa, or corporal bodies – looks like two rods running the length of the penis. There are blood vessels inside these ‘rods’. During sexual arousal, the nerves that supply the penis allow these relatively empty blood vessels to open and fill with blood, causing the erection.
Peyronie’s disease tends to start in the membrane that covers the corporal bodies. It can also progress to invade the erectile tissue. The contraction of the plaques causes the penis to bend and the invasion of the corporal bodies interferes with blood flow, making it difficult for the penis to become erect.
Deformed erections
The plaque most often develops on the top side of the penis, causing it to curve upwards. Sometimes, the plaque develops on the underside, which means the penis curves downwards. In a small percentage of cases, plaques grow on both the upper and lower sides, which shortens and distorts the penis.
Causes of Peyronie’s disease
In most cases, the cause of Peyronie’s disease is unknown. Some of the known causes and risk factors include:
- injury to the penis, such as bending the erect penis severely enough to rupture the membrane that covers the blood vessels;
- family history (which suggests there may be a genetic factor);
- inherited collagen abnormality in the genes that regulate the growth of fibrous connective tissue proteins (collagen);
- infection of the penis;
- an autoimmune response, which causes the plaques to form;
- certain drugs, including blood pressure medications (beta-blockers), interferon, and anti-seizure drugs.
Diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease is diagnosed using a number of tests, including:
- Medical and sexual history
- Physical examination
- Ultrasound scan of the penis
- Treatment for Peyronie’s disease
Treatment options include:
Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) for Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronies disease can be helped with extracorporeal shock wave therapy or ESWT. The treatment can decrease curvature that often is a result of the condition. ESWT is furthermore very helpful in alleviating the discomfort that may be present in the erected state. Our treatment and recent research have achieved improvement in curvature for about half of the sufferers treated.
You will receive three sessions on consecutive days, with an option for an additional fourth session. Each session lasts about 45 minutes with the treatment itself taking about 15 minutes. The first session includes an assessment, partly using diagnostic ultrasound scanning equipment to accurately locate the plaque. This will also reveal exactly how big the plaque is, which can help determine the prognosis.
Some background
Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a condition that causes a curvature in the penis. The curve or bend is caused by a build-up of fibrous tissue on the penis shaft. These are called plaques. PD can lead to pain and erectile dysfunction (ED). Collagen is one of the components of plaques in PD.
Some studies suggest alternative approaches might be useful. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a minimally invasive technique. It involves using acoustic waves to deliver high energy to the affected area. Studies have shown that this stimulates healing and tissue repair.
Methods & findings
The study included 325 men with PD. All patients underwent ESWT. Patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 3 months after treatment. Penile curvature and sexual function were measured. Patients were also asked about the psychological and physical impact of PD.
ESWT led to a significant reduction in plaque size at 3 months. There was also a decrease in penis curvature. Sexual function scores improved in all patients. There was also an improvement in psychological and physical scores. No treatment-related side effects were reported. The authors concluded that ESWT is safe and effective in patients with Peyronie’s disease.
If you have any concerns regarding PD, please consult with a doctor.
PRP Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s Disease hits hard, though many men don’t recognize what it is until symptoms are extreme. Apart from severely impacting men’s sexual health, Peyronie’s disease can destroy self-esteem and leave many men without confidence.
It’s a disease that’s more common than many people realize. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, somewhere between 1 to 23 percent of men between 40 and 70 are affected by the Peyronies. It’s uncommon for the condition to appear in younger men, but it’s not impossible. In fact, the disease has already been observed in men in their 30s.
Health specialists still aren’t certain exactly what causes Peyronie’s disease, but it has been suggested that an injury or traumatic event in the affected area could cause a wound that leads to the condition. The body responds by treating the wound with scar tissue or tough plaque buildup.
It’s this gradual buildup that causes the uncomfortable (and often painful) side effects of the disease.
One solution is to infuse the area with restorative cells to promote the growth of healthy tissue and the breakdown of plaque. Patients shouldn’t have to worry about complex and highly-invasive surgeries with extensive recovery periods just to resolve plaque buildup in the penis.
That’s where PRP (or platelet-rich plasma) therapy comes in, a quick, safe, and drug-free solution to treat symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease – without the need for scalpels, surgeons, and anesthesia.
Read on to learn how PRP therapy can change your life for the better!
How does PRP fight symptoms of Peyronie’s disease?
PRP uses natural growth factors from a patient’s blood, extracted and concentrated in-office, to infuse the penis and encourage the growth of new, healthy cells. In the process, plaque and tough scar tissue can be broken down and moved out of the penis through the body’s natural waste removal system.
Through PRP therapy, you can help reduce the bend or curvature commonly associated with this condition and sexually perform again like you haven’t in years!
Our mission is to make sure that patients feel youthful and happy – free to live their lives without the worry of things like aging and sexual performance. Our staff is made up of certified professionals with years in the industry who truly care about making a difference in the lives of our patients.
Feel free to contact us today to get a free qualified consultation!