Peyronie’s Disease: Bent Penis Syndrome
How to Treat Peyronie Disease – Peyronie’s Disease is a condition affecting a man’s penis, resulting from the growth of fibrous plaque tissues in the soft part of the penis. These fibrous lumps cause the penis to deform and curve. Some medical professionals describe the shape of the affected penis as hourglass-like. Technically, the plaques make the penis less flexible, causing it to bend to one side. The plaques are deposited in the tunica albuginea, the outer covering of the penis that determines the size and shape of an erection.
Symptoms and Effects
This plaque deposit causes penile pain, erectile dysfunction, and abnormal curvature. Pain is primarily felt on the upper side because the condition usually affects the upper erectile tissue. In rare cases, pain can be felt on the lower sides or both sides simultaneously. The curvature of the penis can result in painful sexual intercourse, and in severe cases, patients may be unable to engage in any sexual activity.
Prevalence and Psychological Impact
The disease is more prevalent in older men and less common in teenagers. Statistics may be higher than reported, as many patients are too embarrassed to consult a doctor. The level of shyness exhibited by patients is alarming. Notably, statistics show that 75 out of 100 patients suffer from depression due to the disease. The condition’s prevalence is particularly concerning despite its low publicity.
Increased Awareness and Diagnosis
A report from John Hopkins Hospital revealed that one in every 11 men suffers from Peyronie’s Disease. Recently, more patients are being diagnosed with Peyronie’s Disease as men become less embarrassed about seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction. Doctors often discover the condition when treating patients for ED, realizing that Peyronie’s Disease is the underlying issue.
Complications and Impact on Relationships
Peyronie’s Disease causes several complications for patients. It significantly impacts sexual activity due to failed or painful erections, which can strain sexual relationships. However, partners should understand that the disease is manageable. Patients often suffer from anxiety, stress, and sometimes trauma. Additionally, the inability to engage in healthy sexual activity can hinder the patient’s ability to conceive children.
Symptoms of Peyronie Disease
The symptoms of Peyronie Disease can vary in onset and severity. In some men, symptoms may take a while to appear, while in others, they manifest overnight. The condition can progress slowly, taking months for the first symptoms to be felt. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms often resolve on their own without treatment. Severe symptoms persist, indicating the need for medical attention.
Early Signs and Development
One of the early signs of Peyronie Disease is the development of a lump in the penis, characterized by sharp pain or discomfort. The disease can cause painful erections or, in some cases, soft erections. Most commonly, it results in a curved, angled, or distorted penis. The penis may also appear significantly shorter. These changes in shape and length are due to the fibrous plaque that forms in the penis.
Painful Erections
Peyronie Disease often leads to painful erections. This pain can be attributed to calcium deposits that cause the penis to become hard and resist erection. Symptoms appear in phases. The painful erection phase typically lasts between 18-24 months. This is followed by the fibrotic stage, characterized by continued scarring and further penile distortion. During the fibrotic stage, significant penile pain is usually not experienced.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Another common symptom of Peyronie Disease is Dupuytren’s contracture, the development of fibrosis in the palm of the hand. Studies show that about 30 percent of men with Peyronie Disease also have Dupuytren’s contracture or other fibrotic conditions in different areas of the body. This connection highlights the systemic nature of the disease and its impact on connective tissues.
Additional Insights
The development of a lump is one of the early signs of Peyronie’s disease. The lump is then characterized by a sharp pain or a discomfort in the penis. Further, the disease causes painful erections or in some instances, soft erections. Most commonly, the disease causes the penis to appear curved, angled, or distorted. In this regard, the penis also appears significantly shorter.
Phases of Symptoms
Ultimately, Peyronie’s disease causes painful erections. Painful erections may be explained by the fact that the disease causes calcium to collect in the penis thereby causing the penis to be hard and therefore resists the erection. Noteworthy, the symptoms appear in phases. The period of painful erection will, for instance, take between 18-24 months and then if followed by the fibrotic stage that characterized by continued scarring and the penis distort further. However, a patient does not experience significant penile pain at this stage.
Fibrosis in Other Areas
Another common symptom is Dupuytren’s contracture. This is the development of fibrosis in the palm of the hand. Studies have shown that about 30 percent of men who have Peyronie’s disease also have Dupuytren’s contracture or other fibrosis in other areas of the body.
Causes of Peyronie Disease
Although no definitive cause has been identified, several risk factors have been associated with Peyronie Disease. One significant risk factor is an injury to the penis. The severity of the injury required to cause the condition remains unclear. However, it is generally agreed that the injury must be severe enough to damage blood vessels, causing blood leakage into areas of the penis that typically do not contact blood. Such injuries can occur during athletics, sexual activity, or accidents.
Sexual Activity and Genetic Factors
Vigorous sexual activity causing microscopic injury to the penis is another potential cause. Genetic factors also play a significant role in developing the disease. This occurs when there is a defect in a man’s genetic makeup or when a man’s genes are associated with low testosterone levels. Essentially, men within a specific family link are predisposed to the condition. This genetic predisposition may not be noticeable during toddler years but becomes evident as the boy reaches maturity.
Underlying Health Conditions
Certain diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, contribute to the risk of contracting Peyronie Disease. The use of specific medications, such as beta-blocking drugs, also increases the risk. Additionally, patients with vitamin deficiencies are more likely to develop the condition. Autoimmune diseases may also cause Peyronie Disease. Some medical experts believe that Peyronie Disease is part of an autoimmune illness. Autoimmune diseases affecting connective tissues can impact the penis, which is composed of connective tissues like other body organs.
Injury-Related Causes
Injuries to the penis can be severe enough to cause Peyronie Disease. These injuries might occur during physical activities, such as sports or vigorous sexual activities. When the blood vessels in the penis are damaged, it leads to blood leakage into areas not typically exposed to blood, resulting in plaque formation and curvature.
Role of Genetics
Genetics significantly influence the development of Peyronie Disease. Genetic defects or low testosterone levels can predispose men to this condition. Men with a family history of Peyronie Disease are more likely to develop it, sometimes even from a young age. However, the symptoms may only become apparent as they mature.
Health Conditions and Medications
Health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure increase the risk of Peyronie Disease. Certain medications, such as beta-blockers, also contribute to the disease. Patients with vitamin deficiencies or autoimmune diseases are at higher risk. Autoimmune diseases affect connective tissues, which can lead to Peyronie Disease by impacting the penile tissues.
Autoimmune Factors
Some experts believe Peyronie Disease is linked to autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune diseases can affect the connective tissues that support various body tissues. The penis, composed of connective tissues, can be affected by these autoimmune reactions, leading to Peyronie Disease.
Certain diseases contribute to a person contracting the illness. They include diabetes and High blood pressure. The use of certain medication such as Beta-blocking drugs also contribute to the disease. In addition, patients with vitamin deficiency have been shown to suffer the disease. Furthermore, autoimmune diseases may cause the condition. Some medical experts actually believe that Peyronie’s disease is part of an autoimmune illness. Some of the autoimmune diseases affect the connective tissues that are ideally the tissue that joins, hold and support the different types of tissues in the body. The penis, just like other body organs is made of connective tissues.
Diagnosis of Peyronie Disease
The signs of Peyronie Disease are often easily noticeable. However, consulting a doctor to confirm the condition is essential. The most basic test involves the doctor palpating the penis to feel for scar tissue. Additionally, your doctor will measure the extent of the curve while the penis is erect.
At-Home Documentation
Alternatively, a patient may choose to take photographs in the privacy of his home and bring them to the doctor for analysis. The images must be clear enough for the doctor to see the degree of curvature, the location of the scar tissue, and other necessary details, such as the position of the curvature.
Accurate Medical Tests
For more precise diagnosis, the doctor will conduct accurate medical tests. These tests may involve using a vacuum pump or injection into the shaft to stimulate an erection. Another commonly used diagnostic tool is ultrasound, which generates images of soft tissues using sound waves. Accurate diagnosis is crucial as it helps determine the appropriate treatment options.
Palpation and Measurement
During the palpation process, the doctor feels through the penis to locate the scar tissue. Measuring the curvature while the penis is erect provides vital information about the severity of the condition. This initial examination is fundamental in understanding the extent of Peyronie Disease.
Photographic Evidence
Taking photographs at home offers a discreet way for patients to document their condition. These images should capture the penis from various angles to provide comprehensive details about the curvature and scar tissue. Bringing these photographs to the doctor can aid in the diagnostic process.
Vacuum Pump and Injections
To get a more detailed view, doctors may use a vacuum pump or administer an injection in the shaft to induce an erection. This method allows for a clear assessment of the penis in an erect state, highlighting the curvature and scar tissue.
Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool for Peyronie Disease. By generating images of the penis’s soft tissues with sound waves, ultrasound provides a detailed view of the internal structure. This helps in identifying the exact location and extent of the scar tissue.
Importance of Accurate Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is essential as it guides the treatment plan for Peyronie Disease. Understanding the severity and specifics of the condition enables doctors to recommend the most effective treatment options. This comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive the best possible care.
The doctor carries out the more accurate tests. The test involves the use of a vacuum pump or injection in the shaft that in turn stimulates an erection. Another popular test that a doctor may use is ultrasound. Ultrasound involves the generation of images of soft tissues with sound waves. Accurate diagnosis is crucial because it helps determine the correct treatment option.
Treat Peyronie Disease
The treatment for Peyronie Disease ranges from oral prescriptions to wearable devices and surgical procedures. Before a patient consents to treatment, they should understand what the medication aims to achieve. Ideally, treatment should reduce plaque formation in penile tissue and repair penile deformation.
Oral Treatments
One of the earliest oral treatments for Peyronie Disease is the administration of antioxidant Vitamin E. This medication was popular due to its low cost and minimal side effects. Vitamin E particularly reduced pain in up to 99% of patients and decreased penile curvature in 13% of cases. However, it did not significantly alleviate other symptoms.
Wearable Devices
Other treatment options involve wearing medical devices to correct the condition. One such treatment is External Penile Traction, also known as stretching. This procedure involves wearing a specially designed device that corrects deformity and improves penis length, counteracting the disease’s tendency to cause shrinkage. Similarly, vacuum devices create a vacuum in the shaft to aid correction.
Oral Medications
Alternatively, the disease may be treated with oral drugs that break down collagen, which contributes to penile curvature. Popular drugs include pentoxifylline (Trental), verapamil, and interferon. Notably, the FDA-approved drug for Peyronie Disease is collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (Xiaflex). This injectable hydrolyzes collagen, breaking down deposits and correcting curvature. It is especially effective for men with erectile dysfunction of at least 30 degrees.
Iontophoresis
Another alternative treatment for Peyronie Disease is Iontophoresis. This procedure uses an electric current to apply medicine to the penis. The method combines verapamil and dexamethasone, delivering them noninvasively through the skin. This highly effective method enables the medicine to penetrate deeply into the penile tissue, producing the desired effect.
Surgical Procedures
In severe cases, surgery may be suggested to treat Peyronie Disease. Surgery is considered a last resort due to its inherent risks. It is also recommended when the patient cannot enjoy sexual activity. Before surgery, certain prerequisites must be met. The doctor must ensure the penile curvature has stabilized. Additionally, patients with a tight foreskin should undergo circumcision first.
Incision, Excision, and Grafting
Common surgical options include incision or excision and grafting. This procedure involves cutting and removing scar tissue, allowing the penis to stretch and grow to its optimal size and shape. Surgeons also sew in a piece of tissue to fill holes in the tunica albuginea. This high-risk procedure is often necessary for severe cases.
Penile Implants
Alternatively, patients may undergo penile implants. This procedure involves inserting spongy tissue that facilitates erection by absorbing blood. Penile implants are recommended for patients with both Peyronie Disease and erectile dysfunction. After surgery, a light pressure bandage helps stop bleeding and maintains the repair.
Watchful Waiting
Before commencing any medication, it is advisable to employ a watchful waiting approach. This involves observing whether symptoms resolve on their own. Given the reproductive system’s sensitivity, careful consideration is essential before introducing artificial methods. Monitoring symptoms over time helps determine the necessity and timing of more invasive treatments.
Before a patient can commence any medication it is advisable they employ the watch and see’ diagnosis method. This is watching and waiting to see whether the symptoms will go by themselves. The reproductive system is one of the sensitive parts of the human body, thus the need for ascertainment before any artificial methods can be introduced.
Cure for Peyronie Disease
Currently, there is no definitive cure for Peyronie Disease. However, using vitamins and supplements can be beneficial. This method is one of the safest ways to manage the condition as it involves natural remedies. Common supplement options include apple cider vinegar, calcium, vitamin C, probiotics, and niacin.
Risk of Developing Other Illnesses
Patients who have previously suffered from Peyronie Disease are at a higher risk of developing other illnesses. These include fibrosis in other parts of the body, such as the hands and feet. The link between Peyronie Disease and cancer is minimal. Some experts believe the plaques characteristic of the disease are benign and not tumors. Additionally, Peyronie Disease is neither contagious nor caused by sexually transmitted diseases.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Treating Peyronie Disease can involve lifestyle adjustments. Quitting smoking, engaging in regular exercise, reducing alcohol consumption, and avoiding illegal drugs can help manage the condition. These changes contribute to overall health and may alleviate some symptoms associated with Peyronie Disease.
Patients who have previously suffered from the illness have been shown to be at a higher risk of contracting other illnesses. They include developing fibrosis in other parts of the body such as the hands and the feet. The link between Peyronie’s disease and cancer are scanty. One school of thought opines that the plaques that characterize the disease are not -cancerous because it is a benign and not a tumor. The disease is also non-contagious nor caused by transmitted diseases.
Most importantly, the diseases can be treated by adjustment of one’s lifestyle. This involves quitting smoking, regular exercise, reducing alcohol consumption and quitting use of illegal drugs.