Peyronie’s disease makes a penis bend or curve due to scar tissue under the skin. This happens when it gets hard. It can be painful and makes sex harder. About 1 in 100 men over 18 in the U.S. have Peyronie’s disease. But, more may have it too. It usually affects older men, active individuals, and those with certain health issues or family history.
The cause of Peyronie’s is unclear. It could be from an injury or the body attacking itself. Doctors check your history and give you a physical exam to diagnose it. Treatment can be without surgery or with it, depending on how bad it is.
Key Takeaways:
- Peyronie’s disease is a condition that causes the penis to bend or curve during an erection due to the formation of scar tissue.
- About 1 in 100 men in the United States over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease.
- Peyronie’s disease is more common in older men, those who engage in vigorous sexual or nonsexual activities, individuals with certain connective tissue and autoimmune disorders, and those with a family history of the condition.
- The exact cause of Peyronie’s disease is unknown, but it is believed to be related to injury or an autoimmune response.
- Diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease is based on medical history and a physical exam.
- Treatment options for Peyronie’s disease may include nonsurgical approaches or surgery, depending on the severity of symptoms.
Please note that the provided image is only for visual representation purposes and does not depict a specific case of Peyronie’s disease.
Treatment Options for Curvature of the Penis
Curvature of the penis from Peyronie’s disease can be treated. The goal is to ease pain, fix the curve, and boost how well the penis works. First, doctors might try medicines like collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) to dissolve the plaque.
If this doesn’t work, other non-surgical methods can be used. Penile traction therapy pulls the penis straight. Or, doctors can inject medicines right into the plaque.
If these aren’t successful and the curve is bad, surgery could be needed. There are a few ways doctors can surgically straighten the penis. They might shorten the longer side or add grafts to the shorter side.
Which treatment to choose depends on different things. This includes how severe the curve is, the patient’s health, and what the patient wants.
Penile Traction Therapy
Penile traction therapy uses a special device to stretch the penis. The idea is to lessen the curve over time.
Patient must wear the device daily, following their doctor’s advice. This therapy has been effective in making the penis straighter. But, it needs to be used every day for some time to see results.
Curved Penis Surgery
Surgery might be an option if other treatments don’t work. It’s also used for serious curves.
Key surgical methods include plication and grafting. With plication, the longer side of the penis is stitched. This makes it shorter and straighter. It’s best for people with a curve on one side. Grafting uses materials to make the penis longer and straight. It’s for those with severe curves or big size differences.
| Treatment Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Oral Medications | Medications, such as collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH), are taken orally to break down the plaque causing the curvature. |
| Penile Traction Therapy | A device is worn to gradually stretch the penile tissue and reduce the curvature over time. |
| Injections | Medication is injected directly into the plaque to soften it and reduce the curvature. |
| Surgery | Surgical procedures, such as plication or grafting, are performed to correct the curvature. |
Stem Cell Therapy for Curvature of the Penis
Stem cell therapy is a new way to help fix curved penises from Peyronie’s disease. Stem cells like adipose-derived, bone marrow, and mesenchymal cells might heal penile tissue. This process takes cells from the patient’s body and puts them in the penis with a simple surgery.
This treatment has shown good signs in fixing the penis curve, easing pain, and boosting sexual function. It seems very safe, with few bad side effects. Yet, the best time to start this therapy and how to do it best are still being studied.
Stem cell therapy gives hope to those with Peyronie’s disease who need a focused treatment. It uses the body’s own cells to help fix the problem at its core. With more studies, this therapy could be a key way to deal with Peyronie’s disease.