Penile Curvature ( Peyronie’s disease)
Overview
What Is Peyronie’s Disease?
A slight natural curve to the erect penis is usually normal. But curvature that causes pain and difficulty with intercourse is a problem. The development of painful curvature is called Peyronie’s disease. Peyronie’s disease is due to a plaque (scar) that forms inside the penis.
Your Penile Anatomy
The shaft (body) of the penis consists of the corpora cavernosa, 2 columns of spongy tissue. During an erection, this tissue fills with blood, swells, and becomes rigid, creating an erection. A dense sheath of elastic tissue called the tunica surrounds the corpora. This tissue stretches as the penis becomes erect.
Painful Curvature
Peyronie’s disease occurs when a plaque (scar) develops on the fibrous sheath of tissue surrounding the corpora. The scar can form on any part of the penis, but often is found on the top or bottom. The scarred area of the tunica loses its elasticity, so it doesn’t stretch when the corpora swells. Because the tunica doesn’t stretch in that area, the erect penis curves in the direction of the scar.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease
- Curvature of the penis during erection (which may interfere with intercourse)
- Pain during erection
- Soft erections
- Shortening or narrowing of the penis
A hard area usually felt below the skin of the penis in the area of the plaque.
Possible Causes
No one is sure just what causes the plaque. It may be the result of an injury to the erect penis or a blow to the groin. The plaque may occur because of a problem with your immune system. One thing is certain, however, that Peyronie’s disease is not caused by sexually transmitted diseases and is not cancer.
Diagnosis
You are not alone
The condition is found in men of all ages but is most common among men 40 to 60 years old. Every year, about 65,000 men are diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease in the United States, and it’s believed to be under reported for a number of reasons, including that men may be embarrassed to seek help for this condition. Peyronie’s disease is unlikely to go away on it’s own, and may get worse over time.
Treatments
Treating Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease occurs when the penis curves during an erection. This is most often due to a plaque (scar) that forms inside the penis. In some men, the plaque shrinks and disappears on its own, without treatment. If treatment is needed, the main goal is to relieve pain and make the penis straight enough for sex. There are different kinds of treatment. The success of these different treatments vary from man to man.
Let’s talk about XIAFLEX( collagenase Colostridium histolyticum)
XIAFLEX is the only treatment approved by the FDA that’s been proven effective in helping to treat Peyronie’s disease in adult men who have “plaque” that can be felt and a curve in their penis greater than 30 degrees when treatment is started. Prescription XIAFLEX is injected into the scar tissue or Peyronie’s plaque. Each injection of XIAFLEX works to help weaken and break down the plaque and help straighten the curve caused by Peyronie’s disease.
For More information please visit XIAFLEX.com
Medication
Medication is usually tried for 1 year to 2 years before other treatments are done. For some men, the disease will go away during this time. Medication may help reduce pain. It may also help soften and shrink the plaque in the penis. Some medications may be taken by mouth. And some may be rubbed right on the penis. Others may be injected into the plaque. Medications that treat erectile dysfunction may help with some of the problems of Peyronie’s disease. But they will not treat the curvature or pain. Your doctor will discuss all your options and possible side effects with you.
