Bent Penis / Overview of what Peyronie’s disease.

Having good sexual function is of paramount importance for the overall health and wellness of men. Peyronie’s disease is among the several conditions that can adversely impact both the overall health and sexual well-being of men. This article aims to go more into the subject matter at hand, exploring potential therapeutic interventions for this medical condition.

What is Peyronie’s disease

Peyronie’s disease is a pathological condition affecting male sexual health, characterized by the development of fibrous plaques, or scar tissue, inside the penile tissues. This phenomenon is often seen in patients diagnosed with this specific medical condition. Penile plaques cause penile curvature or bending during the erect state, resulting in a range of unfavourable consequences including pain, challenges in achieving penetration, erectile dysfunction and psychological harm.  

The stages of Peyronie’s disease

Peyronie’s disease has a progressive pattern. The acute and chronic phases are two independent stages. The initial phase of Peyronie’s disease is referred to as the acute stage. During this stage, the physiological formation of fibrous scar tissue happens, leading to the manifestation of penile curvature when a man is erect. During this phase, penile curvature may occur in multiple directions and display varied degrees of severity. Individuals exhibit other symptoms associated with the male genital organ, including swelling, inflammation, discomfort, or tenderness. The progressive development can lead to a mass or hardened area within the penile structure. During both phases of the disease, individuals may face difficulties in having sexual intercourse with a partner and achieving firm erections. The duration of the acute phase typically ranges from twelve to eighteen months; however, it may endure for a prolonged period in rare individuals. 

Following the acute phase is the chronic phase. During the chronic phase, fibrous scar tissue matures, and this leads to a hardening of the fibrous plaque. During this period, patients may encounter see a larger curvature, despite the typical reduction in pain and inflammation. During both stages of the illness, there is a potential for an increase in the severity of erectile dysfunction.

Causes of PD

The prevailing consensus in the medical community is that the impairment of penile tissue is a key factor in the development of Peyronie’s disease. These kinds of injuries may arise due to highly vigorous sexual activity, unintentional incidents, or injuries sustained during sports-related activities. The characteristics of these injuries may differ depending on whether they are acute or chronic, depending on the exact circumstances. An acute injury is characterized as a discrete incident leading to harm, whereas chronic injuries pertain to the recurrence of an identical injury over a prolonged duration. Injuries sustained in the penile region can lead to bleeding and oedema inside the elastic membrane of the penis. After the conclusion of the wound healing process, the formation of scar tissue and plaque can occur. The existence of this durable plaque results in the curvature of the penis as a consequence of its hardness on the surrounding tissues.

Peyronie’s disease is known to be correlated with a range of risk factors, such as diabetes, genetic susceptibility, connective tissue disorders, autoimmune illnesses, and several other medical conditions. There exists a well-accepted consensus regarding the hereditary basis of Peyronie’s disease. As a result, if a male individual within a family contracts the disease, there is an increased likelihood of additional male relatives within the same family also experiencing it. Furthermore, it has been shown, that several autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, can potentially worsen the symptoms associated with Peyronie’s disease (PD) in males. Furthermore, empirical research has shown evidence that men suffering from Dupuytren’s disease or diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction are more likely to have this specific issue in comparison to the overall male population.

The management strategies for Peyronie’s disease

For a long period of time, there was a scarcity of effective pharmacological treatments available in the market for Peyronie’s disease. However, because of technological breakthroughs in the medical domain, now there are a diverse array of medical interventions ranging from non-invasive to surgical. A good source of information is a patients’ forum, the Peyronie’s Forum.

Oral medicines: Oral pharmacotherapy, including the administration of Pentoxifylline, colchicine, and vitamin E, has exhibited effectiveness in managing Peyronie’s disease in a considerable population of male individuals globally. However, it is crucial to consider that drugs of this kind can potentially induce unforeseen physiological reactions. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals continually seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional before using any of these medicinal medicines.

Injections: Intralesional injections of collagenase and verapamil have emerged as a viable alternate strategy for diminishing plaque size and mitigating penile curvature. 

Nesbit Procedure: The Nesbit Procedure is a surgical intervention designed to address penile curvature by selectively shortening the longer portion of the penis. This surgical method is commonly known as the Nesbit Procedure. 

Tunica Plication: The surgical intervention known as tunica plication entails the manipulation and suturing of the tunica albuginea on the shorter side of the penis, with the objective of reducing the extent of curvature. 

Grafting: Grafting is a surgical procedure that involves the use of a tissue transplant to correct the curvature and compensate for the deficiency in the tunica albuginea. 

Penile Vacuum Pumps: Penile Vacuum Pumps, also known as vacuum erectile devices (VED), are often employed for the management of Peyronie’s disease. However, it is important to note that these devices do not directly target the plaques that are typically found in the penile tissue. However, its main purpose is to mitigate diverse symptoms linked to Peyronie’s disease. These devices apply mechanical force to the tissues in the penile region, resulting in enhanced penile stiffness. 

Shockwave Therapy: Shockwave therapy for PD is a non-invasive treatment approach that does not necessitate invasive treatments. Shockwave therapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes specific shockwaves to shatter plaques and enhance blood circulation in the penile region. The therapeutic strategy in question is frequently denoted as a non-invasive modality. This treatment method is a new development primarily intended for the fragmentation of renal calculi. 

Extracorporeal magnetotransduction therapy: EMTT therapy is a non-invasive therapeutic approach that employs a powerful magnetic field. The simultaneous application of EMTT therapy and shockwave therapy, both are effective interventions for Peyronie’s disease.

Modifications to an Individual’s Lifestyle: It is possible for men to enhance their general well-being through the adoption of specific lifestyle practices, including quitting smoking, weight management, consistent engagement in physical exercise, and consumption of a nutritionally balanced diet. These activities have the potential to improve an individual’s overall health, including their reproductive health. 

The efficacy of shockwave therapy

There exists a range of oral drugs and surgical interventions that can be utilized in the management of Peyronie’s disease. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that most of these therapy approaches are associated with various adverse consequences. Certain conventional non-invasive treatments may not offer a sustainable resolution in the long run. In addition, it is commonly observed that most patients exhibit a lack of enthusiasm about surgical interventions. However, most of the risks connected with these therapeutic modalities can be mitigated by employing shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy was initially designed for the purpose of disintegrating kidney plaques. Subsequently, medical professionals and researchers have discovered the effectiveness of this therapy in disintegrating penile plaques, resulting in a reduction of penile curvature and an improvement in blood circulation. This therapy is also devoid of any significant negative effects. According to MansMatters, a specialized shockwave clinic situated in the London, the UK, shockwave therapy has been found to be highly successful in reducing penile curvature while presenting minimal risk of significant adverse effects. Additionally, the clinic asserts that the combination of EMTT therapy with shockwave therapy can enhance the efficacy of the latter treatment. In addition, MansMatters offers several contemporary non-invasive treatments, including as Functional Magnetic Stimulation and Nanovic Exo. 

Conclusion

If you think you are suffering from PD then without wasting any time, seek professional help. Do not lose hope, as there are a wide range of PD treatments available to aid you in this complex situation.