You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of Peyronie’s Disease, but this condition’s prevalence has been increasing in past years as more and more men are realizing that they may suffer from this surprisingly common condition.
The underlying cause of Peyronie’s Disease is the building of fibrous scar tissue (plaque) along the length of the penis.
This plaque buildup causes the penis to curve, bending to a highly noticeable extent.
Though some penises possess a natural curve, the features of Peyronie’s Disease are much more defined, featuring a harsh curve, which can cause serious pain to the genitals, especially when developing an erection.
How Do You Get Peyronie’s Disease?
Like many, you probably wonder what causes the plaque buildup that defines the disease.
Some of the most common causes include co-existing health conditions and injuries.
The disease can develop very slowly over time or occur as very sudden changes. The disease is most common in middle-aged men, but men of all ages are susceptible to it.
What Can You Do About It?
Treatments exist for Peyronie’s Disease in the form of both medications — taken orally or injected into the genitals — and surgeries, which attempt to manual correct the curvature or plaque buildup of the penis.
The reliability of medications designed to treat the disease is uncertain. The Mayo Clinic states that,
“A number of oral medications have been tried to treat Peyronie’s disease, but they have not been shown to be effective consistently…” and, “Evidence on the effectiveness of penile injections is limited.”
Surgery has been found to be more effective in the treatment of Peyronie’s Disease, and a variety of options exist.
- One such example is the Nesbit Procedure, wherein the tissue that plaque forms in is cut into, and small portions of it are folded around to the other side of the penis, to straighten it.
- Another surgical treatment is performed via plaque incision and grafting. A surgeon cuts directly into the plaque buildup itself, cutting plaque out, and grafting different tissue in, so as to fill the space.
However, these methods are invasive and can be painful or risky.
Better Options for Peyronie’s Disease Treatment?
There has yet to be definitive proof that most medications used to treat the condition are consistently effective, or reliable, something which may very well concern anyone with Peyronie’s disease. Further, though surgeries can be very effective in treating the disease, they are invasive procedures. Cutting into the penis is highly typical in such treatments, and men are right to be concerned about the idea of genital incisions.
Thankfully, new treatments are being developed and improved every year, and better options are now available to those who have Peyronie’s Disease. Men can receive non-surgical therapy, with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), in order to help dissolve the plaque buildup, straightening the penis and relieving pain. Stem cell treatment is also available, to help restore full sexual function to those who have suffered from the disease. Many men also report positive results from GAINSWave® therapy, or a combination or PRP, stem cells and GAINSWave® treatments.
You can learn more about these treatments here, and make an appointment to see a specialist today to find out which treatment is best for you.
