Peyronie's Disease
What is Peyronie's Disease?
Peyronie's disease is a condition in which the tissue of your penis becomes hardened and thicker. This can lead to an abnormally curved or bent penis during erections, which can be painful.
The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is not known. It is believed that an injury to the penis – such as a sports injury or from vigorous sexual activity – can cause Peyronie's disease. However, this is not always the cause.
Symptoms of Peyronie's Disease
The signs and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease may include:
- A palpable, painful lump in the penis
- An abnormally curved penis
- Pain during an erection
- Decreased ability to have an erection and/or discomfort when an erection takes place.
Treatment of Peyronie's Disease
Treatment of Peyronie's disease may involve:
- Surgery – this is usually only recommended if the pain is severe or the curvature of the penis affects sexual activity
- Collagen injections – these injections may help reduce pain and decrease the curvature of the penis
- Medications – some medications may help reduce pain and inflammation as well as help reduce the size of the scar tissue
- Radiation therapy
- Physical therapy – this may help improve blood flow and help reduce the size and severity of the scar tissue
It is important to note that some treatments may not be successful and the symptoms may worsen over time. It is also important to note that Peyronie's disease can be a source of significant psychological distress. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about all potential treatments and to make sure that you are comfortable with any treatments that they suggest.