What is Peyronie’s Disease?

Peyronie’s Disease is a condition that occurs in men when plaques, or small pieces of scar tissue, develop underneath the skin on the penis. A man with Peyronie’s Disease typically experiences painful erections and may notice irregularities in their penis’ shape and/or texture when erect.

The irregularities in shape and texture are caused by plaque buildup. When blood flows to the penis, the plaques can be felt as bumps underneath the skin. In addition, a man may notice that these bumps cause their penic to bend or curve when erect.

It’s important to note that bends and curves in an erect penis are not always concerning. Penises come in many different shapes and sizes. However, if a bend or curve suddenly appears in adulthood and is painful when erect, Pryeonie’s Disease is a possibility.

Luckily, there are ways to treat Peyronie’s Disease to relieve pain and return the penis back to its normal shape.

Causes of Peyronie’s Disease

Understanding the causes of Peyronie’s Disease can help you take proper precaution to prevent developing the painful disease.

One of the leading contributors to Peyronie’s Disease is penile injury. This could be a significant injury where there is obvious pain, like a sports injury, or a less significant injury that occurs during intercourse when the penis is accidentally bent.

The small, seemingly insignificant injuries are the most likely cause of Peyronie’s Disease. It’s more likely for a man to injure his penis during intercourse multiple times without noticing than it is for him to have multiple significant injuries to his penis. These small, seemingly insignificant injuries can cause a buildup of scar tissue over time and lead to Peyronie’s Disease.

In addition, there are several factors that make a man more susceptible to developing Peyronies Disease:

  • Age. Peyronie’s Disease is present in 10-15% of middle-aged men. The likelihood of developing it increases with age.
  • Genetics. You are more likely to develop Peyronie’s Disease if you have a close male relative that has it.
  • Connective Tissue Disorders. Those with connective tissue disorders such as Dupuytren’s Disease, Plantar Fasciitis, and Scleroderma are more likely to develop the disease.
  • Erectile Dysfunction/Diabetes. Men with erectile dysfunction (ED) as a side effect of diabetes are 4-5 times more likely to have Peyronie’s Disease. ED can also be caused by Peyronie’s Disease
  • Prostate Cancer. Men with prostate cancer are at a higher risk. The risk increase if he has needed surgery for prostate cancer
  • Autoimmune Disorders. Men with autoimmune disorders like lupus or AIDS are at a higher risk of developing Peyronie’s Disease.

Peyronie’s Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease include the following:

  • Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
  • Stress & anxiety
  • Penile shortening
  • Curved and/or bumpy penis
  • Pain during sex
  • Difficulty having sex

There are two phases of Peyronie’s Disease:

  1. Acute Phase: Typically lasts for 5-7 months. In rare cases, it can last for up to 18 months. This is when plaques form, and the penis starts to bend/curve. It is common to feel pain during an erection.
  2. Chronic Phase: The chronic phase is when the plaque stops growing and the penis doesn’t bend any further. If there was pain with erection during the acute phase, it often will have ended by this time

Peyronie’s Disease Treatments

If Peyronie’s Disease is not treated, it will sustain or get worse. It’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid progression and potentially improve symptoms.

Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease includes:

  • Traction Therapy. This involves wearing a device that stretches and reshapes the penis back to its normal shape. It also helps heal scar tissue and restore penis length.
  • Acoustic Wave Therapy. This is a drug-free way to treat many of the typical symptoms resulting in Peyronie’s Disease. The acoustic waves break down scar tissue and help reduce the curvature of the penis.
  • Medication. Over the counter pain medications,Tadalafil (Cialis), Pentoxifylline,
  • L-arginine, Colchicine, and Potassium amino-benzoate (Potaba)
Non-Surgical Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease with Acoustic Therapy

Rejuvent MD & Wellness helps men with Peyronie’s Disease and other health issues through the use of innovative technologies including acoustic wave therapy. Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment today.

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