Peyronie’s disease

Disease Peyronie , commonly known as the disease affects the curvature of the penis to one of ten men and causes erectile dysfunction in 40% of patients.

Causes of Peyronie’s disease

It is a disease that has been known since the 18th century, the causes of which are unknown, and that can occur at any time, spontaneously, throughout the lives of men.

Unlike congenital curvature of the penis, which is detected during youth, Peyronie’s disease occurs at any age, although it is more common in men between 45 and 55 years of age.

Peyronie’s disease is quite common, and appears when a scar forms in the tissue on the surface of the penis, causing the tissue to lose elasticity, and preventing it from stretching at the time of erection. As a consequence, the penis curves in the direction of the scar.

The fibrosis plaque that bends the penis is a completely benign scar tissue although painful in its appearance.

As for its causes, these are unknown, and the disease can occur throughout the life of any man. However, it is believed that in some cases its origin may be trauma to the erect penis or that it may be related to imbalances in the immune system .

Likewise, in some cases its appearance is attributed to a deficiency of testosterone or to the use of some medications.

This ailment develops in two phases

1. Inflammation and pain. The first appearance of the disease manifests itself with inflammation and pain in the penis at the time of erection with the appearance of curvature. As a result, sexual intercourse is painful or impossible. This first stage is the ‘active phase’ of the disease.
2. Disappearance of pain. In the second phase, no pain is experienced but the curvature is maintained and is definitively established.

Although the evolution of the disease is highly variable, it is generally progressive and with time the curvature increases.

The main consequence of the disease is that it conditions the sexual life of the patient and this can imply a psychological blow for the man. Although it is not a serious illness, it tends to harm the general health of the patient when it causes depression.

For this reason, it is necessary to go to the doctor as soon as possible to face the problem: when the curvature or a lump in the penis (fibrous plaque) is detected, a urologist specializing in the treatment of penile diseases should be seen to determine the type of medical treatment that is most convenient to employ.

Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease

Generally, Peyronie’s disease patients experience these problems:

• Strong pain at the time of erection.
• Narrowing shortening of the penis.
• Difficulty having sex.
• Curve of the penis during erection that can prevent penetration.
• Decreased erection
• Erectile dysfunction

The symptoms of this disease can cause great anxiety in those who suffer from it, so it is important to go to a specialist as soon as possible to address, as far as possible, the symptoms of this disease.

Treatment for Peyronie’s

Although there is no drug that effectively cures this ailment, different treatments can be applied with the aim of reducing pain in the patient and slowing the progress of the disease.

Pentoxifylline, tamoxifen, and colchicine are the drugs most frequently used to treat early symptoms, and vitamin E is often recommended.

The uroandrologist must determine in each case which is the most appropriate treatment and its duration, in order to relieve pain and improve curvature.

Although there is still no drug that is totally effective, low-energy shock waves applied to patients with this disease have shown good results in recent studies: the pain disappears and there are significant improvements in erection.

During the second phase of the disease, when the pain has disappeared, the patient may consider undergoing surgery. By this operation, you can try to correct the curvature. In these cases, the patient can regain normal sexual activity after a month of convalescence.

Penile curvature surgery must always be performed by a urologist who specializes in this type of intervention and must be carried out at the right time and with the appropriate technique for each patient, since there are different surgeries.

The choice of the type of operation will be determined by the level of fibrosis that the patient presents and by the degree of penile curvature, as well as paying special attention to the symptoms of discomfort that he shows.

The different interventions that exist in three broad types of surgery can be summarized:

1. Fibrosis plaque rupture with implantation of penile prosthesis: in patients with curvature and erectile dysfunction.
2. Incisions in the fibrosis plate and placement of biocompatible material.
3. Shortening of the penis on the opposite side to the fibrosis plaque to eliminate the bend It can be carried out using different techniques such as simple plication, modified plication or Nesbit technique, among others.

Based on these considerations, it may be more appropriate for the patient to receive a pharmacological treatment that is applied by injecting a drug composed of corticosteroids, which destroys the fibrosis plaque causing the curvature. Injection of verapamil, a drug widely used in the treatment of high blood pressure, can also be given .

It is more advisable to opt for this treatment in the most serious cases of Peyronie’s. It is applied in cycles: each cycle consists of two injections administered in three days and must be waited approximately 6 weeks between cycles. The total treatment usually consists of a maximum of four cycles.

When to see a specialist

It is necessary to contact a professional, as soon as possible, when symptoms of penile curvature, pain in erections and the appearance of inflammation and bruising appear after sexual intercourse.