Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a rare sexual disorder experienced by men. Unfortunately, in recent years the number of PD patients have increased. This disease can occur to anyone, from older men to younger men, no one is immune to it. Even teenagers can suffer from PD. PD has been around for centuries and yet there are many men that have never heard of it.
Overview of PD
Peyronie’s disease is a male sexual disorder, and the most known characteristic of this disease is the formation of fibrous plaques, also known as scar tissue, within the penile tissues. Penile plaques normally induce the pens to curve or bend during the state of erection, along with other adverse effects, such as pain, difficulties in achieving penetration, and psychological distress. Peyronie’s disease is also not just the sexual well-being of a man, but also on their general life satisfaction.
Typically, Peyronie’s disease advances in two stages: The acute and chronic phases. The first stage of Peyronie’s disease is known as the acute phase. During this phase, the process of fibrous scar tissue production starts and results in penile curvature when a man is erect. During this phase, penile curvature may manifest in many directions and exhibit varying degrees of severity. Patients may experience symptoms relating to the penis, such as swelling, inflammation, pain, or soreness. During the acute period of the condition, patients may encounter challenges in engaging in sexual intercourse and experiencing strong erections. The duration of this phase often spans from twelve to eighteen months, although it may persist for an extended duration in certain individuals.
Subsequently, the chronic phase ensues, following the preceding acute phase. In the chronic phase, the formation of fibrous scar tissues ceases, resulting in less flexibility over time. During this phase, patients may experience worsening of penile curvature, even though pain and inflammation commonly diminish by this stage. During the acute phase of the illness, the severity of erectile dysfunction may escalate.
The root causes of PD
It is believed that the damage to the penile tissue plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of Peyronie’s disease. These types of injuries can occur because of overly aggressive sexual activity, accidents, or a sports-related injury. The nature of these wounds might vary between acute and chronic, contingent upon the specific conditions. An acute injury is defined as a singular event resulting in harm, whereas chronic injuries refer to the repeated occurrence of the same injury over an extended period. Trauma to the penile region can result in the occurrence of haemorrhage and swelling within the elastic membrane of the penis. Following the completion of the healing process, it is likely that scar tissue and plaque will develop. The presence of this plaque induces a curvature of the penis due to its tension on the adjacent tissues.
Peyronie’s disease is also associated with various risk factors, including diabetes, genetic predisposition, connective tissue disorders, autoimmune disorders, and several other medical diseases. There has been a prevailing understanding regarding the hereditary nature of Peyronie’s disease. Consequently, if a male member of a family acquires the condition, there is an increased probability that other male members within the same family will also being affected. Moreover, several autoimmune illnesses, including lupus, can exacerbate the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease (PD) in males. Moreover, empirical studies have demonstrated that males afflicted with Dupuytren’s illness or erectile dysfunction generated by diabetes exhibit a higher propensity for encountering this particular concern compared to the general male population.
How to treat PD
For a long while, there existed a dearth of efficacious pharmaceutical treatments for Peyronie’s disease. Nevertheless, due to advancements in technology within the medical field, today there exists a wide range of therapy options for Peyronie’s disease.
- Oral Medication: Pentoxifylline, colchicine, and vitamin E have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of Peyronie’s disease among a considerable number of male patients worldwide. Nevertheless, it is imperative to bear in mind that medications of this nature may elicit unexpected physiological responses. As a result of this, it is crucial that individuals consistently consult with an experienced medical practitioner prior to utilizing any of these pharmaceutical substances.
- Injections: Collagenase and verapamil intralesional injections represent an alternative approach for reducing plaque size and penile curvature.
- Topical medicines: Nitro-glycerine and potassium para-aminobenzoate are two topical medicines that have been utilized in the treatment of Peyronie’s disease (PD).
- Nesbit Procedure: The Nesbit Procedure is a surgical intervention aimed at reducing penile curvature by shortening the longer side of the penis. This surgical technique is alternatively referred to as the Nesbit Procedure.
- Tunica Plication: The surgical procedure referred to as tunica plication involves the manipulation and suturing of the tunica albuginea on the side of the penis with a shorter length, with the aim of diminishing the degree of curvature.
- Grafting: Grafting is a surgical technique that entails the utilization of a tissue graft to address the curvature and compensate for the shortage in the tunica albuginea.
- Penile Vacuum Pumps: Vacuum erectile devices (VED) utilized for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease, commonly referred to as penile vacuum pumps, do not directly address the plaques present in the penile tissue. Instead, its primary function is to alleviate various symptoms associated with Peyronie’s disease. These devices exert tension on the tissues in the penile area, leading to increased rigidity of the penis.
- Shockwave Therapy: Shockwave therapy for PD is a treatment modality that does not require invasive procedures. Shockwave therapy is a therapeutic modality that employs specialized shockwaves to disrupt plaques and augment blood circulation within the penile region. This therapeutic approach is commonly referred to as a non-invasive modality. This therapeutic modality is of recent origin and was primarily developed for the purpose of disintegrating renal calculi.
- EMTT Therapy: Extracorporeal magnetotransduction therapy (EMTT therapy) is a non-invasive treatment modality that utilizes a powerful magnetic field. The concurrent utilization of EMTT therapy and shockwave therapy, both recognized as efficacious interventions for Peyronie’s disease, is a viable approach.
- NanoVi: NanoVi is a modern non-invasive treatment technology which strengthens the immune system without using any sort of harmful chemicals and aid in cell recovery and their DNA. This treatment method for PD is also great for oxidative stress.
- Exercises: Penis exercises can also aid some men in minimizing penile curvature. But these exercises may not work for everybody and may not be effective if penile curvature is too much.
- Alterations to an Individual’s Lifestyle: Men might potentially improve their overall health by adopting certain lifestyle behaviours such as smoking cessation, weight management, regular physical activity, and consumption of a nutritious food. These activities possess the capacity to enhance an individual’s overall health, including their penile health.
Treating Peyronie’s disease is not easy as some men cannot get their penile curvature treated fully without undertaking surgical methods. Not all clinics provide PD treatments with full effectiveness as well. But there are some specialized clinics for male sexual issues that offer excellent PD treatments with great effectiveness. MansMatters is one such clinic. It is based in the London, UK. This clinic provides modern non-invasive treatments like shockwave therapy, EMTT therapy and NanoVi for various male sexual dysfunction including Peyronie’s disease.
