When it comes to penile issues, erectile dysfunction certainly steals the spotlight. There’s another issue, however, that can also impact sexual function and wellness: Peyronie’s disease.
Peyronie’s disease might be more common than previously thought. Most reports point to 1 in 100 men as being diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease, but researchers suspect the real number is much higher — more like 10 out of 100 men. This discrepancy is largely fueled by underreporting — men don’t discuss the issue or realize that something is amiss.
To help shed some much-needed light on Peyronie’s disease, we turn to board-certified urologist Robert J. Cornell. In the following, we review some key points about Peyronie’s disease and how we can help.
Peyronie’s disease describes a condition that often leads to a curvature in your penis, though that’s not the only way the issue presents itself.
At the core of Peyronie’s disease are plaques that develop just under the skin in your penis. These plaques can distort the shape and orientation of the penis, often causing it to bend.
About 70% of plaques form on the top side of the penis, which can make your penis less pliable, and it can curve upward when erect.
There are two stages of Peyronie’s disease:
So, once the plaques settle, this is the result you’re left with unless you seek treatment, as Peyronie’s rarely goes away on its own.
We’ve mentioned the change in shape of your penis when you have Peyronie’s disease, and we want to expand on this.
Depending upon the extent of the plaques and location, your penis can curve up, down, and to the side; become indented; or even take on an hourglass shape.
The plaques can not only change the shape of your penis, but they can also make erections and intercourse uncomfortable.
Now, let's get into some of the contributing factors to Peyronie’s disease. In many cases, the plaques form on the heels of injury and trauma, such as vigorous sex or after prostate surgery.
Other contributing factors include:
As with many health issues, a family history of Peyronie’s disease can also influence your risk for Peyronie’s disease.
In some cases, Peyronie’s disease doesn’t cause any discomfort or issues with sex, so treatment isn’t always necessary.
If, however, you’re left with a severely curved penis and/or you’re experiencing no small amount of discomfort when you have an erection, treatment can really improve your quality of life.
Some of the treatments we offer for Peyronie’s disease include:
In severe cases of Peyronie’s disease, we might need to turn to surgery to reshape your penis and remove the plaques.
Given that the Urology Foundation reports that more than 75 out of 100 men with Peyronie’s disease are stressed and depressed about the condition, treatment is a very good idea.
If you suspect that you're dealing with Peyronie’s disease, your next step is to contact our Houston office today to schedule a consultation.
