Like many conditions and diseases, early treatment is the key to treating Peyronie’s disease effectively. Here are 5 signs that you should be aware of.
Peyronie’s disease is a condition where scar tissue or fibrous lumps (plaque) build up in the tissue of the penis. This can result in a deformity of the penis when it is erect where the abnormal tissue causes a curvature. It can be a painful and distressing condition – studies have found that many men who suffer from the condition also experience problems with erections and this can lead to issues with sexual relations and relationships.
For many urologic conditions and diseases, awareness is the key to prevention, and this is most definitely the case when it comes to Peyronie’s disease. Being aware of the symptoms and acting early is very important for increasing the chance of a good outcome. However, with a disease that is sensitive in nature such as this, many men do not seek treatment until it is too late – or not at all. Don’t let this be you!
Here are five signs of Peyronie’s disease that you should be aware of. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor.
Five Signs of Peyronie’s disease
• A curve in the penis when erect. It may curve upward, downward, or to one side. In some cases, the erect penis might narrow at a point, show obvious indentations or have an hourglass appearance, with a tight band around the shaft.
• A palpable piece of scar tissue that can be felt under the skin of the penis. These may be flat lumps or a band of hard tissue.
• Erectile dysfunction. The scar tissue might cause problems getting or maintaining an erection.
• Painful erections or pain during sex
• Shortening of the penis.
Causes of Peyronie’s Disease
The exact cause of Peyronie’s disease is not fully understood. However, there are some risk factors and suspected causes. These include:
• Acute trauma to the penis that results in the tunica albuginea rupturing.
• Multiple ‘micro-traumas’ over time that cause scar tissue to form in the tunica albuginea.
• Infection of the tissue in the penis.
• A hereditary abnormality in the genes that regulate the growth of collagen in the penis.
• An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks cells, causing plaque to build up.
How Is Peyronie’s Disease Treated?
Treatment of Peyronie’s disease will depend on the severity of the condition. If it is particularly mild, the tissue may go away by itself.
There are some medications that can help, such as anti-inflammatory drugs. A collagenase injection into the tissue can help to soften it.
A penile traction device can be used to stretch the penis and reduce the curve. In some cases, surgery may be required. This may involve placing sutures in the penis to straighten it, penile implants, or grafting of the plaque.
If you have any further questions about any urological issues or would like to book an appointment, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
