This is a penis condition that commonly provokes scar tissues, which leads to a curve or loss of girth or length of your penis. In such cases, it may become difficult or even impossible to have sex. The common causes of Peyronie’s disease are injury to the penis or connective tissue disorder.
What is Peyronie’s Disease? 
When an erection occurs, your penis may bend up, to the side, or down. It depends on the scar location. However, most males or people assigned to males at birth (AMAB) do not have perfectly straight erections. It means that if your penis has a little curve and you have had this curve all your life, it does not mean that you have Peyronie’s disease.
Peyronie’s Disease Stages
There are two stages of this penis condition such as acute and chronic. Check below them in detail:
- Acute Peyronie’s Disease – This stage ranges between 6 to 12 months and during this stage, a scar forms under the skin of your penile. This effect provokes it to curve or change the shape. This process can be painful when your penis is erect or soft.
- Chronic Peyronie’s Disease – In this stage, the scar stops growth and curvature will not get any worse. In most cases, the chronic stage is painless but may appear sometime when you have an erection. Additionally, erectile dysfunction may occur during chronic Peyronie’s disease.
Is Peyronie’s Disease a Common Penis Condition?
Healthcare professionals estimate that approximately 6%-10% of men experience this penis disease (between ages 40 and 70). However, this condition may be more widespread because many males feel ashamed to talk about it with healthcare professionals. Discuss with your physician about all the sexual problems you face with your healthcare provider.
Symptoms
The common symptoms of Peyronie’s disease are curved or bent penis. However, there are other symptoms that may occur in people who suffer from this penis condition. For example:
- Length loss of the penis
- Lumps in the penis
- Painful erections
- Softer erections
- Problems with having sex
- Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
Symptoms of this penis condition may develop quickly and last for long periods. Therefore, if you have a bend in your penis more than 30 degrees, it may provoke painful sexual intercourse or even impossible.
Causes
Not in all cases is clear what provokes Peyronie’s disease. According to some research, penis scars occur due to an injury to your erect penile. In any case, about 80% of people with this penis disease do not remember something specific that preceded changes to their penile. Additionally, not all males who experience injuries to their penises experience Peyronie’s disease. Maybe there are some genetic or environmental factors that provoke this penis condition.
Furthermore, this is not a sexually transmitted disease (STI) and it is not a contagious condition.
Who is At Risk of Developing Peyronie’s Disease?
Anyone can get this unpleasant condition. Check below some risk factors that could increase your risk of this penis disease:
- The risk of this condition elevates as you get older. It happens in roughly 10% to 15% of people from 40 to 70 years old.
- In case you have a family member who experiences this condition, you are at higher risk of developing it.
- There are some connective tissue disorders that can increase the risk of Peyronie’s disease. For example Dupuytren contracture, plantar fasciitis, and scleroderma.
- Those who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) are more likely to develop this penis condition.
- Some treatments for prostate cancer also may elevate your chances of getting Peyronie’s disease.
- Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can also increase your risk of developing this penis disease.
Complications
This penis condition may negatively affect your mental and emotional health. For example:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Feelings of shame
- Low self-esteem
- Fear of rejection or intimacy
Moreover, this condition may cause impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED). It often occurs because penile plaque or scar tissue can interfere with the amount of blood that supply the penis tissues during an erection. Therefore, an individual becomes unable to get or maintain an erection.
Maybe you ask if Peyronie’s disease can shorten your penile. In most cases no but in severe cases a man may experience a decrease of length from 0.5cm to 1.5cm. Furthermore, in severe cases, you may not be able to have sex because it may be painful for you or your partner. So, the more there is a curve in your penile the more difficult it becomes to have sexual intercourse.
Diagnosis
A review of your medical history and questions about symptoms usually help your physician determine if you have this penis disease or not. Check below some questions that your doctor may ask you:
- What medicines are you using?
- Do you have any existing conditions such as autoimmune disorders or diabetes?
- Is there someone in your family who experienced Peyronie’s disease?
- Do you suffer from erectile dysfunction?
- Is having sex painful or difficult for you or your partner?
- Have you lost the length of your penile and how much?
- In which direction does your penis bend and roughly how many degrees?
- When did you observe the first curve in your penile?
Your healthcare professional may also perform a physical examination. In this physical exam, the doctor will feel the scarring in your penile. In addition, physicians may need to check your penis when you have an erection and if necessary to give you an injection that helps to maintain your penis erect.
An additional test that your doctor can perform is a Doppler ultrasound examination. This test will help to determine where the scarring is in your penis, calcium buildup, blood fluids in your penis, and others. This ultrasound test also helps to get the best treatment for you. For more details talk with your healthcare professional.
Treatment
There are different types of treatment for Peyronie’s disease. It is not recommended to use medicines or therapies without a doctor’s advice because in some mild cases of Peyronie’s disease treatment is not required. Check below some treatment options:
Medicines
There are two forms of medicines (tablets and injections) that your physician will prescribe for Peyronie’s disease. These drugs are usually prescribed by a doctor when you are not sure if you want surgery. Check below some examples:
- Verapamil Injections – In most cases, physicians prescribe this injection to treat hypertension but some studies suggest that it may decrease curvature in the penile.
- Interferon Injections – This injection contains protein, which helps to reduce swelling and scarring. It works by releasing an enzyme that dissolves scar tissue that builds up in the penis.
- Collagenase Injections – Doctors usually prescribe this injection in case your penis curve is more than 30 degrees. The treatment length usually is up to 8 weeks.
- Tadalafil – This medicine can help to reduce the risk of scarring from getting worse and improve erectile stability and rigidity. Tadalafil works by improving the blood flow to the penis tissues.
- Pentoxifylline – This medicine also improves blood flow to the penile.
- L-Arginine – this is an amino acid, which improves blood flow.
- Colchicine – This medicine is intended for people who experience increased uric acid in the blood. It helps to prevent and treat inflammation and swelling in your penis.
- Potassium Aminobenzoate – This is a form of Vitamin B, which can help reduce the scar’s size.
Traction Therapy
In this therapy, an external device (including a vacuum erection device or traction device) is used to stretch your penile and in some cases bend it in the opposite direction of the curve. This procedure helps to break down scar tissue and:
- Restore lost length
- Elevate erection hardness
- Improve curvature
Mostly, males with Peyronie’s disease need several months of treatment to see any improvements. However, there are no side effects observed while using these devices.
Surgery
Surgery usually is needed in severe cases of Peyronie’s disease. In such cases, it is almost impossible to have sex and only surgery can help you. Check below some surgery options:
- Penile Implant – This is one of the best surgical options for this penis condition. It is usually used if you do not see any improvements after medication treatment. This implant helps to get straight erections as long as you would like.
- Another surgical option involves a cut and removal of some scar tissue. Thereafter, surgeons will cover the space with some material. It is a good surgery in case you can get strong erections but you have severe curvature. However, there are some risks associated with reduced penile sensitivity and erectile function.
- Shortening the Unaffected Side of Your Penis – In this procedure, the surgeon will cut a small piece of tissue outside the curve and will sew the tissues that remain. Therefore, it can help if you get strong erections and have not lost much length.
Discuss with your healthcare professional for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent Peyronie’s disease?
There are some steps that can help to prevent this penis condition. However, you have nothing to do if Peyronie’s disease occurs due to some genetic or autoimmune causes. Check some examples below:
- Erectile Dysfunction Medicines (such as Viagra, Cialis, and others)
- Using lubricants during sexual activity
- Be careful in case your partner is on the top
For more details, you can talk with your healthcare provider.
Does Peyronie’s disease hurt?
Unfortunately, yes, this penis condition can be painful, especially during acute stage. Immediately contact your doctor if you experience this unpleasant effect.
How soon after treatment will I feel better?
It usually depends on the severity of the condition, response to treatment, age, weight, and others. Your physician will determine the length of the treatment and when you can expect to feel better.
