Peyronie’s disease can negatively impact a man’s sexual intimacy and quality of life. Dr. Jared J. Wallen is highly trained in the treatment of Peyronie’s disease and helping men to improve penile curvature, alleviate pain, and enhance sexual wellness. Dr. Wallen believes early diagnosis is critical to achieving the best results and lowering the chance of needing surgical intervention. If you have questions about Peyronie’s disease, call our offices near Sarasota to request an appointment.
What is Peyronie’s Disease?
When scar tissue develops under the skin of the penis due to trauma or minor injury, Peyronie’s disease may occur. As the scar tissue forms the penis may become bent or indented during an erection, which can cause increasing pain.
What are the Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease?
During a normal erection, cavities or sponge-like spaces in the penis fill with blood. These areas normally stretch to allow the penis to become erect. With Peyronie’s disease, the scar tissue in these areas does not stretch. As a result, the penis must bend to accommodate the non-stretching tissue. This bending can be significant and quite painful.
Peyronie’s disease symptoms can develop gradually or might appear suddenly. The most common signs include:
- A bent or curved penis that causes the penis to curve either upward, to one side or downward when erect. Sometimes a tight band of scar tissue forms around part of the penis
- Scar tissue which forms under the skin of the penis and can feel like lumps or hard bands
- Erectile dysfunction
- Penis becomes shorter
- This can be present when the penis is flaccid or when it is erect
- Dupuytren’s contracture which is the development of fibrosis in the palm of the hand. About 30 percent of men who have Peyronie’s disease also have Dupuytren’s contracture or other fibrosis in other areas of the body
Over time after Peyronie’s disease is detected, the associated penis curvature might gradually worsen. At some point, however, it stabilizes for most men.
What is Peyronie’s Disease Caused by?
Most often, Peyronie’s disease is caused by injury to the penis due to sports athletic activity, aggressive sex, or an accident of some sort. However, there have been cases in which the disease is part of a larger autoimmune issue. If the disease attacks cells within the penis, it can lead to inflammation and scarring.
Because the chances of getting Peyronie’s disease increases with age due to changes in the elasticity of the penis, men over the age of 50 are more commonly affected. In addition, men with a more active sexual lifestyle that may cause injuries to the penis, or men who have a family history of Peyronie’s disease have a higher chance of developing it over their lifetime.
Diagnosis of Peyronie’s Disease
With or without an erection, Peyronie’s disease can most often be diagnosed in a physical exam by Dr. Wallen. If scar tissue is felt, you may be given an injectable drug to create an erection and check how your penis curves or narrows. In addition, an ultrasound or X-ray may be ordered to get an accurate location of the buildup of scar tissue. This will allow for a proper treatment plan to be designed.
How is Peyronie’s Disease Treated?
The overall goal of treatment is to reduce pain and strengthen the ability to have intercourse. If you are not experiencing pain, and having very little issues with penile curvature, you may not need treatment until the symptoms progress. In a few cases, the disease will resolve itself without any treatment.
Because there is a risk of erectile dysfunction associated with Peyronie’s disease, you may get recommended a change in lifestyle. This can include decreasing the amount of vigorous sexual activity or aggressive sports and quitting any smoking, illegal drugs, or alcohol consumption.
Nonsurgical Options
With medications and therapies, Peyronie’s disease can be effectively managed over time, pending the severity. Dr. Wallen may prescribe a series of medications that may help inflammation or development of scar tissue. These treatments can include:
- Steroid injections.
- Vitamin E.
- Colchicine.
- Carnitine.
- Collagenase Injections.
These treatments must be discussed with your doctor prior, as they will be highly dependent on other health factors.
Surgery
If you are experiencing severe issues with penile curvature or pain, surgery may be recommended. The types of surgery will depend on the severity, but may include grafting or device implantation. Most commonly, the surgeries will be include the following:
- Lengthening the area of the penis that curves.
- Placing a prosthetic device inside the penis.
- Shortening the opposite side of the penis from the scar tissue.
Schedule Your Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Today
If you are experiencing issues with Peyronie’s disease, contact Dr. Wallen in Sarasota, FL today to determine which treatment option is right for you.