Peyronie's Disease

Oftentimes there are no safe spaces for men regarding their healthcare. Medical research has indicated that most men do not have perfectly straight erections. For most men however, a curvature of the penis is concerning. Peyronie’s Disease is a condition where scar tissue causes the penis to curve or lose length or girth. Peyronie’s Disease is usually a permanent condition. According to the online source Cleveland Clinic, most men may be able to feel the scar tissue (plaque) through the skin or you may have pain in a specific part of your penis as the scar tissue forms. During an erection, the penis can bend up, down, or to the side depending on the location of the scar. In most cases, the scar forms on the top of the penis, causing it to curve upwards when it becomes erect. Your penis will bend downward if the scar is on the bottom, and sideways if the scar is on the side. In some cases, the scar develops on both the top and bottom of the shaft, which can cause the penis to become “dented” or shorter. Sometimes the scar will go all the way around the penis, making it narrow like the neck of a bottle or the center of an hourglass. About one in three men with this condition may have calcium in the scar tissue that can make it feel like bone. What are the stages of Peyronie’s disease? Peyronie’s Disease has two stages: acute and chronic. Acute phase: This stage lasts between six and 12 months. During this period the scar forms under the skin of your penis, causing a curvature or other change in its shape. You may feel pain when your penis is erect or when it is soft. Chronic phase: The scar has stopped growing in this phase, so the curvature in the penis doesn’t get worse. The pain will usually be gone by this time, but sometimes it can continue, especially with erections. Also, erectile dysfunction (ED) or problems getting or keeping the penis hard may develop. Who is likely to get Peyronie’s Disease? Several risk factors might increase your chances of getting Peyronie’s Disease: Age is a contributing factor for Peyronie’s Disease. Peyronie’s disease is more likely to happen as you get older. It occurs in about 10-15% of middle-aged men. Experts estimate that about 6% to 10% of men between ages 40 and 70 have Peyronie’s Disease. It’s been observed in other ages, but it’s less common. There is a theory that the actual number may be higher since some men choose not to talk about the disease with their healthcare provider, and others may not be bothered enough to seek medical care. Genetics. If you have a close relative (brother or father, for example) with the disease, you are at a higher risk. Connective Tissue Disorders. Those men with a connective tissue disorder are at a greater risk of developing Peyronie’s Disease such as disorders include Dupuytren's Disease in which the connective tissue in the palms of the hands shortens and thickens. This results in the permanent bending of the outer fingers. It is not clear why men with Peyronie’s Disease are more likely to develop Dupuytren’s Disease. Plantar Fasciitis which is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot that creates the arch of the foot. Scleroderma which is the abnormal growth of thick, hard patches of connective tissue may also result in swelling or pain in muscles and joints. Erectile Dysfunction. Men who have diabetes-associated erectile dysfunction (ED) (impotence/difficulty getting and keeping an erection) are four to five times more likely to develop Peyronie’s disease. Sometimes erectile dysfunction can be caused by having Peyronie’s. Prostate Cancer. Men who have had surgery for prostate cancer are at an increased risk. Finally, Autoimmune Disorders can also contribute to Peyronie’s Disease. If you have an autoimmune disorder like Lupus, Sjögren’s Syndrome and Behçet’s Disease then you are at an increased risk for Peyronie’s Disease. What are the symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease? The primary symptom of Peyronie’s Disease is curvature in the penis. You may feel scar tissue (a plaque) under the skin of the penis. You may be able to tell that the plaque is forming because of the following signs: Your penis is shorter. Your penis is bent or curved. There is loss of girth, an indentation of the shaft of the penis. There are lumps in your penis. Erections are painful. Erections are soft. Sex is difficult or impossible due to the curvature of the penis. Interestingly, a man with Peyronie’s Disease may also notice that this condition affects their mental health. Changes in the penis can cause body image issues, anxiety or even depression. It can cause strain in a relationship and in other aspects of life.

How is Peyronie’s Disease Diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will ask you about anything that may have happened before the symptoms appeared, such as an injury. They will feel the hardened tissue caused by the disease, although sometimes it is necessary to do the examination when your penis is erect. If needed, an injection will be used to temporarily make your penis erect for the exam. Your healthcare provider may recommend an ultrasound. The ultrasound will reveal where the plaque is, check for calcium buildup and show how the blood flows in your penis. This test can allow your healthcare provider to determine which treatment options you might be a candidate for. Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease Traction (or stretch) therapy uses a device to stretch the penis and sometimes even bend the penis in the opposite direction of the curvature. This encourages the scar tissue to be recycled into more normal tissue and can improve curvature, restore length lost due to Peyronie’s Disease, and even improve the hardness of erections. The device needs to be worn daily for several months to show improvement. Many men wear the device while sleeping. There have been no long-term side effects from this treatment. Vacuum erection devices are used by many healthcare providers to treat Peyronie’s Disease. However, traction therapy has shown better improvements in curvature because it causes more stretch on the scar tissue. Studies have shown for the most severe cases of Peyronie’s Disease penile injections may be the preferred course of treatment. Injecting a medicine directly into plaques, called intralesional injections, can be done in the acute phase. The injection site is often numbed before the shot. These treatments can be done in the doctor’s office. In some cases, it may be an option to get a penile prosthesis implanted. This treatment is only for men who have both Peyronie's Disease and ED (erectile dysfunction). An urologist may recommend surgery to remove plaque or help straighten the penis during an erection on those men with a curvature so severe that it prevents sex. As men we need to be more proactive regarding our health. Obviously, there are some men who might feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to speak to their doctor about this situation, however, if you suspect you might have Peyronie’s disease speak to your urologist or healthcare provider. Help is available. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #PeyronieDisease #menshealth #mentalhealth #masculinity #manhood #penilecurvature