Is Your Penis Bent Out of Shape with Peyronie’s Disease?

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a condition of the penis that can affect up to 13% of males of all ages. It is also suggested that this percentage may be actually higher due to the nature of the disease and the potential embarrassment that some men may have in reporting their symptoms. The disease comes in all different shapes, sizes, and degrees of severity.

Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease may include:

Abnormal penile curve or “bent” appearing penis
Penis deformity
Shortening or narrowing of the penis
Pain with erections
Pain with intercourse

In addition to these symptoms, males will often have associated conditions. If you have PD, you may also be suffering from:

What causes Peyronie’s Disease?

There are multiple potential causes for PD and our understanding of them continues to evolve. Common risk factors for Peyronie’s include: diabetes, a history of trauma, sexually transmitted diseases, history of instrumentation, prior TURP or BPH surgery, or prior prostate cancer surgery. Furthermore, it has also been suggested that common everyday habits like smoking and drinking alcohol may be associated with PD. If you have Dupuytren’s Disease, which is a condition that can affect the palm of your hand, you may also be at increased risk of developing or having Peyronie’s.

How is Peyronie’s Disease treated?

If you believe you may have PD, it is important to seek a consultation and evaluation with your primary doctor or urologist. After obtaining an extensive history, your urologist or urology specialist will determine if you are in the acute or chronic phase of PD as treatment options may vary:

Treatment for Hypogonadism (“Low T,” Low testosterone) – In some cases of mild peyronie’s disease associated with low testosterone, testosterone levels may be checked and treated if low. While this may not correct the curvature of the penis, it will often improve libido, erections, and help men get “back in the saddle.”
Oral medications – There is a lack of high quality evidence currently available to support oral treatments. With that said, there are therapies like PDE-5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis) that are available to treat concurrent symptoms such as erectile dysfunctions and help erections.
Injection therapy – Males with Peyronie’s Disease may sometimes have areas of hardness, or plaques, on their penises. Treatment is available to inject these plaques and “soften” them, allowing improvement with curvature.
Shock Wave Therapy – Similar to the idea behind injection therapy, shock wave therapy (SWT), is a safe and effective option for men with mild to moderate Peyronie’s Disease. Treatment involves multiple cycles of nonpainful, low intensity treatments. Studies have demonstrated improvements in penile pain and improvement in degrees of curvature.
Surgical Repair – In moderate to severe cases of Peyronie’s Disease, surgical correction is often done. And in some cases, procedures may be performed to treat both PD and Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

Dr. Shaw at Austin Urology Institute is a highly-rated Austin urologist who is prepared to help guide you through the evaluation and treatment of Peyronie’s Disease, along with a highly trained staff and state-of-the-art treatment options. Beware of “miracle treatments” and “cure” claims regarding Peyronie’s as they often do not provide consistent results. Although PD can be a sensitive subject, there is no reason to feel embarrassed as many men have it. If you are bothered with Peyronie’s Disease symptoms, it is important to seek help from a Urologist.