What is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s Disease (PD) is the development of fibrotic plaque (scar tissue) or a hard bump that forms under the skin of the penis shaft. There can be a single accumulation of scar tissue or multiple areas throughout the penis.
These areas of scar tissue may cause the penis to abnormally bend/curve or become indented during an erection. The bend/curve may be slight or beyond 30-45 degrees. The curve may be to the right, left, up or down.
Peyronie’s Disease has an acute and chronic phase, both of which can successfully be treated.
Acute Phase
Considered to be in the first 6 to 18 months after the injury when the plaque (scar tissue) forms under the skin of the penis, resulting in a “curve” of the penis which gradually worsens.
Chronic Phase
During the chronic phase the plaque stops growing, and the curve stabilizes. Both phases may be accompanied by pain, discomfort, and difficulty achieving an erection.
Your Peyronie’s Disease (PD) treatment will be performed in Cleveland Health Group‘s surgery center located in Independence, Ohio.
The Connection: Peyronie's Disease & Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a condition in which a man has difficulty achieving and/or maintaining an erection firm enough for satisfying sexual intercourse. ED affects over 30 million men in the US and can wreak havoc with relationships, self-esteem and overall confidence both inside and outside the bedroom.
ED has several root causes, one of which may be Peyronie's Disease (PD). PD results in an abnormal bend or curve in the penis that can make an erection painful or cause discomfort, especially during intercourse.
The cause of Peyronie's Disease is often a result of repeated minor injury to the erect penis during sexual activity causing inflammation within the penile tissue. Other research indicates PD occurs due to an underlying autoimmune disorder along with the injury.
Factors such as sex, sports, and auto accidents are among the most common “injuries” to the penis. The inflammation caused by the injury affects the penile tissues, which in turn develop into scar tissue which leads to possible pain, curvature and erectile difficulties.
Nonetheless, whether it is one specific injury during sexual activity or repeated minor injuries, the inflamed tissue results in the formation of plaque (scar tissue) that causes the penis to bend or curve.
Some factors that may increase the chance that you will develop Peyronie's Disease include:
- Aging process
- Diabetes
- Family history of Peyronie's Disease
- Having an autoimmune disease or connective tissue disorders
- Engaging in vigorous sexual play that may injure tissues in penis
Could I Have Peyronie's Disease?
Signs & Symptoms of Peyronie's Disease
The signs and symptoms of Peyronie's Disease (PD) may develop slowly over time, or immediately following an injury. About 13% of men will NOT develop any signs or symptoms with the scar tissue resolving on it’s own.
Other individuals are not so fortunate and may have one of more of the following symptoms:
- Curve or bend of the penis, with or without an erection
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Soft erection, unable to penetrate sexual partner
- Pain / discomfort with or without erections
- Noticeable change in girth or length of penis
- Lump, bump or scar where the bend is in the penis
Additionally, in some men, the plaque (scar tissue) may create an “hour glass effect” where it appears like an indented ring around the entire penis. This is caused by the distribution of plaque all the way around the penis, giving way to the instability of an erection firm enough for penetration.
Contact us for a free phone consultation to find out more about these life-changing treatments.
How Peyronie's Disease is Treated at Cleveland Health Group
The diagnosis of Peyronie’s Disease (PD) is relatively straight forward. If you develop a lump, bump, curve or bend in the penis, pain or discomfort with erections (not always pain), erectile dysfunction related to the build up of scar tissue, or a combination of the three, you have PD.
Traditionally, Peyronie’s Disease is treated with oral medications, traction methods, painful injections or surgery. However, Cleveland Health Group is proud to join our world-wide colleagues in the medical community treating Peyronie's Disease with several cutting-edge, noninvasive, evidence-based therapies. Learn more below.
Cleveland Health Group is proud to join our world-wide colleagues in the medical community to offer several non-invastive, evidence-based therapies to treat PD.
Shockwave Therapy
The use of Shockwave Therapy (aka: LI-ESWT) in treating Peyronie's Disease (PD) has been reported since the 1980’s. Numerous studies show Shockwave Therapy may be beneficial in the management of PD for:
- reduction of penile pain
- diminshment of plaque size
- better erectile health
- decrease in the progression of disease
Shockwave therapy for the treatment of PD has been proven to be safe and have a high rate of patient satisfaction.
At Cleveland Health Group you can expect a safe, tolerable and effective non-invasive shockwave treatment. Many of our patients report a decrease in curvature, less pain and a return to better sexual experiences.
Platelet-Rich Plasma
(aka: PRP)
The scientific and medical communities agree the body has the ability to heal itself. Considered a form of regenerative medicine, the use of a persons own platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to naturally repair and heal tissue, has made major strides in orthopedics, denistry, aethestics and erectile health.
PRP injections are created by drawing a patients own blood, running it through a state-of-the-art centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and administer directly into the penis. The growth factors present in the PRP are released and the regeneration of tissue begins. Infusion of the penis with PRP promotes growth of healthy cells and the breakdown of plaque.
PRP as a treatment for Peyronie's Disease (PD) has shown promising results as a safe, effective and drug-free solution. Cleveland Health Group is excited to offer our patients this cutting-edge treatment.