Healthy sexual function plays a very crucial part in the general well-being of men. Various diseases can cause damage to men’s sexual as well as general health and Peyronie’s disease is one of them. In this article, we will discuss more about this issue and see potential causes and treatments for this disease.
What is Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease is a male sexual disorder, and the most commonly known characteristics of this disease is the formation of fibrous plaques, also known as scar tissue, within the penile tissues. This manifestation is frequently observed in individuals with this particular medical condition. Penile plaques have the potential to induce penile curvature or bending during the state of erection, leading to various adverse effects such as pain, difficulties in achieving penetration, and psychological distress. Peyronie’s disease can exert a significant adverse influence, not alone on the sexual well-being of individuals afflicted by it, but also on their general life satisfaction.
The stages of PD
Typically, Peyronie’s disease advances with a biphasic progression. The acute and chronic phases represent the two distinct stages. The first stage of Peyronie’s disease is known as the acute phase. During this phase, the process of fibrous scar tissue production initiates and results in penile curvature during erection. During this phase, penile curvature may manifest in many directions and exhibit varying degrees of severity, contingent upon the level of seriousness. Patients may experience symptoms relating to the penis, such as swelling, inflammation, pain, or soreness. Currently, there exists the potential for the gradual emergence of a lump or indurated region inside the penile anatomy. During the acute period of the condition, patients may encounter challenges in engaging in sexual intercourse and experiencing robust erections. The duration of this phase often spans from twelve to eighteen months, although it may persist for an extended duration in certain individuals.
Subsequently, the chronic phase ensues, following the acute phase. In the chronic phase, the formation of fibrous scar tissues ceases, resulting in increased rigidity and stability over time. During this phase, patients may experience more penile curvature, even though pain and inflammation commonly diminished by this stage. During both phases of the condition, the severity of erectile dysfunction may escalate.
The root causes of PD
It is widely believed that the damage to the penile tissue plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Peyronie’s disease. These types of injuries can occur as a result of very aggressive sexual activity, accidents, or a sports-related injury. The nature of these wounds might vary between acute and chronic, contingent upon the specific conditions. An acute injury is defined as a singular event resulting in harm, whereas chronic injuries refer to the repeated occurrence of the same injury over an extended period. Trauma to the penile region can result in the occurrence of haemorrhage and swelling within the elastic membrane of the penis. Following the completion of the healing process, it is plausible for scar tissue and plaque to develop. The presence of this resilient plaque induces a downward curvature of the penis due to its tension on the adjacent tissues.
Peyronie’s disease is also associated with various risk factors, including diabetes, genetic predisposition, connective tissue disorders, autoimmune disorders, and several other medical diseases. There has been a prevailing understanding regarding the hereditary nature of Peyronie’s disease. Consequently, in the event that a male member of a family acquires the illness, there is an elevated probability of other male members within the same family also being affected by the condition. Moreover, several autoimmune illnesses, including lupus, have the ability to exacerbate the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease (PD) in males. Moreover, empirical studies have demonstrated that males afflicted with Dupuytren’s illness or erectile dysfunction generated by diabetes exhibit a higher propensity for encountering this particular concern compared to the general male population.
The Implications of PD
Peyronie’s disease can manifest several detrimental repercussions, encompassing not just the sphere of male sexual health but also exerting an impact on overall health and well-being. Peyronie’s disease (PD) is frequently associated with the occurrence of erectile dysfunction, a prevalent adverse impact. Men with Peyronie’s disease (PD) encounter challenges in attaining and sustaining rigid erections due to insufficient blood circulation to the penis. Men who suffer from this medical disease may have significant challenges when attempting to participate in sexual activities as a result of the issues arising from the illness. Due to this reason, it is very possible that both the male individual and his female counterpart may experience a lack of fulfilment in their sexual experiences. As a consequence, a significant level of anxiety, stress, or despair might accumulate, hence exacerbating the overall detriment to the overall well-being of both the male and female individuals involved. Failure to address this issue in a suitable manner poses a substantial likelihood of terminating the partnership.
Treatments of PD
Over an extended duration, there existed a dearth of pharmaceutical treatments for Peyronie’s disease within the marketplace. Nevertheless, due to advancements in technology within the medical field, there exists a wide range of therapy options for Peyronie’s disease.
Oral Medication: Pentoxifylline, colchicine, and vitamin E have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of Peyronie’s disease among a significant number of male patients worldwide. Nevertheless, it is imperative to bear in mind that medications of this nature may elicit unexpected physiological responses. As a result of this, it is crucial that individuals consistently consult with an experienced medical practitioner prior to utilizing any of these pharmaceutical substances.
Injections: Collagenase and verapamil intralesional injections represent an alternative approach for reducing plaque size and penile curvature.
Topical Medicines: Nitro-glycerine and potassium para-aminobenzoate are two topical medicines that have been utilized in the treatment of Peyronie’s disease (PD).
The Nesbit Procedure: It is a surgical intervention aimed at reducing penile curvature by shortening the longer side of the penis. This surgical technique is alternatively referred to as the Nesbit Procedure.
Tunica plication: The surgical procedure referred to as tunica plication involves the manipulation and suturing of the tunica albuginea on the side of the penis with a shorter length, with the aim of diminishing the degree of curvature.
Grafting: Grafting is a surgical technique that entails the utilization of a tissue graft to address the curvature and compensate for the shortage in the tunica albuginea.
Penile Vacuum Pumps: Vacuum erectile devices (VED) utilized for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease, commonly referred to as penile vacuum pumps, do not directly address the plaques present in the penile tissue. Instead, its primary function is to alleviate various symptoms associated with Peyronie’s disease. These devices exert tension on the tissues in the penile area, leading to increased rigidity of the penis.
Shockwave Therapy: Shockwave therapy for PD is a treatment modality that does not require invasive procedures. Shockwave therapy is a therapeutic modality that employs specialized shockwaves to disrupt plaques and augment blood circulation within the penile region. This therapeutic approach is commonly referred to as a non-invasive modality. This therapeutic modality is of recent origin and was primarily developed for the purpose of disintegrating renal calculi.
EMTT therapy: Extracorporeal magnetotransduction therapy (EMTT therapy) is a non-invasive treatment modality that utilizes a powerful magnetic field. The concurrent utilization of EMTT therapy and shockwave therapy, both recognized as efficacious interventions for Peyronie’s disease, is a viable approach.
Alterations to an Individual’s Lifestyle: Men might potentially improve their overall health by adopting certain lifestyle behaviours such as smoking cessation, weight management, regular physical activity, and consumption of a nutritious food. These activities possess the capacity to enhance an individual’s overall health, including their penile health.
more information regarding treatments and men’s experience with Peyronies Disease can be found at the Peyronies Forum.
Conclusion
If you are suffering from PD then make sure to consult an experienced doctor and seek treatment. There are many specialized clinics who provide excellent PD treatments, and MansMatters is one of them. This clinic is based on the London, UK. MansMatters provide modern treatments like shockwave therapy, EMTT therapy, NanoVi and Tesla Chair for various male sexual disorders including Peyronie’s disease.