Maybe you first learned about Peyronie’s Disease from TV ads, but the multitude of men who have this condition already knew about it. It comes on fairly quickly and can cause pain and sometimes shame. Peyronie’s Disease: signs and treatments you should know.
How Do You Develop Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s Disease begins with a build up of scar tissue within the penis. This scar tissue causes the penis to bend, curve, or lose length or girth. This scar tissue, known as plaque, is non-cancerous, does not cause infertility, but does cause pain. It is estimated that the condition goes undetected in up to 23% of men.
The scar tissue may feel like hard flat bumps under the skin or as a band of tissue. It can develop from some trauma or injury to the penis or during sexual intercourse. In addition, family history can play a part.
Signs Of Peyronie’s Disease
It is important to know the early signs of Peyronie’s Disease to get an early diagnosis and be treated.
- With Peyronie’s Disease the penis will bend or curve up, down, or side to side during an erection depending where the scar tissue develops.
- Another type of deformity is a narrowing of the penis and indentions like an hourglass shape. This occurs when the scars go all the way around the penis.
- In most cases the scars will form on the top of the penis causing it to curve upwards. If the scars are near the bottom of the penis, it will bend downward, and if the scars are one the side, the penis can bend side to side. If the scars are on both the top and bottom of the shaft, the penis can be dented or become shorter.
- There may be pain both during an erection and if the penis is in its natural shape.
- It can make an erection difficult and cause ED.
Treatment
How Dr. Valenzuela treats Peyronie’s Disease depends on the severity and stage of the condition.
Stage 1, or the acute stage, is when the first signs appear with this being the optimal time for diagnosis and treatment. While in the acute stage, Dr. Valenzuela may recommend therapeutic exercises and penile traction to avoid losing any length along with oral medications or injections.
During stage 2, or the chronic stage, the changes stop and they become stable. Sometimes physicians will conduct “watchful waiting” with the patient checking in regularly to decide about treatment. Injections may be performed. Surgical intervention and a penile implant may be recommended if other treatments have been unsuccessful.
Don’t wait to contact Dr. Robert Valenzuela in NYC if you think you are having any early signs of Peyronie’s Disease. Call (212) 781-9696 to schedule a visit.