PEYRONIE'S DISEASE

While most men have a slight curve of the penis when erect, increasing curvature that causes difficulty with sexual activity or pain is abnormal. It is called Peyronie’s Disease.                                                                                              

Peyronie’s Disease results from scar tissue that develops in one of the deep layers of the penis. It prevents normal lengthening of the penis as it enlarges during an erection. In most cases, the exact cause of scarring cannot be determined.  Occasionally, it may result from local trauma. The result is a bend at the site of the scar. Depending on where the scar is located, the penis can bend up, down, left or right. Besides making intercourse difficult or unpleasant, Peyronie’s Disease can also result in a shorter penis or one that is too soft or angled for satisfactory sexual activity. 

There are two basic types of treatment: medication and surgery.

• Medication is used to soften the scar and reduce the curvature of the penis. Older treatments using vitamin E and Potaba (a medicine that was thought to dissolve scar tissue) have been shown to be ineffective.  Newer treatments have much higher success rates and include injecting medications like Interferon A and Verapamil into the scarred area to break it up and help repair it.
   

• In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary, ranging from procedures that involve placing just a few stitches to ones where the scarred area is removed and new tissue (a graft) is put under the penis skin.

While discussing the symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease may seem embarrassing at first, it may help to understand that it is a very common condition and Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center treats many patients with this condition. You can be helped if you have Peyronie’s Disease. 

 Call 888.735.4336 for your confidential appointment or more information, or click here to send us an email.