Is Peyronie’s Disease Curable

If you’ve noticed a painful curvature building in your own, or your significant other’s penis, this could be a sign of a condition called Peyronie’s disease. A curved erection may not sound scary, but men who have Peyronie’s disease can experience trouble having sex. This often causes anxiety and discomfort, even pain in severe cases. If you’ve noticed any of these red flags, it could mean it’s time to visit your primary care doctor or urologist.

What Is Peyronie’s Disease?

Peyronie’s disease is the development of scar tissue inside the penis that causes the penis to develop abnormal curvature, also known as contracture, in the scarred area. The disease can occur in 1% – 8% of men, often ranging in age from about 40 to 70 years old. The disease also may occur more frequently with men that have high blood pressure, diabetes, or prostate cancer. While the cause of Peyronie’s disease is unknown, research has suggested the most probable cause is plaque or scars from penile trauma such as bending or hitting, that caused bleeding inside the penis. It’s also suggested that genetics can be a possible reason.

Symptoms of Peyronie’s can develop slowly or could even happen overnight. You may not see a problem until the penis is erect. In serious cases, the hardened scar tissue or plaque restricts flexibility and possibly blood flow. This can be very painful and force the penis to bend or arc when erect.

How Will A Doctor Determine If You Have Peyronie’s Disease?

During your physical exam your doctor will feel the hardened tissue causing the curve. If the plaque cannot be examined while the penis is soft, your doctor might inject a medicine to cause the penis to become erect, making the plaque and curve easier to examine. Your doctor may want to have an X-ray or ultrasound of the penis to better determine changes to regular structural anatomy. In severe cases, a doctor may want to sample the tissue and request a biopsy to send to the lab.

Is Peyronie’s Treatable?

Peyronie’s disease is treatable, but not everyone needs treatment. A patient’s conditions can Improve overtime, which is why doctors often suggest a 1 to 2-year window to keep an eye on the progress before making attempts to correct it right away. Mild cases usually don’t need treatment.  Although patients can experience pain during an erection, it’s usually mild. If it’s not causing a problem with your sex life, treatment may not be necessary. If your doctor does decide that you will need treatment, he or she may consider medication. Some options are injectable drugs, topical medications, or vitamin E. Some possible treatments may also include a penis pump, electroshock wave therapy, or in severe cases, surgery. If the diagnosis is mild or moderate, the most common instruction is to watch and wait. As they say, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

If you’re concerned about a painful or curved erection, it may be time to see a urologist. Explore your urology options with board-certified urologist Dr. Richard Natale, call Carolina Urology today. Book your appointment with our industry-leading experts today by calling (704) 786-5131.