Potential signs besides a curved penis, you have Peyronie’s disease
The signs of Peyronie’s disease are not always what you expect. For instance, a certain TV commercial uses a “bent carrot” to create an image for men to imagine what this condition may look like. But is this always true for every man who develops this disease? Unfortunately, the answer is no, as there are several forms this condition may display.
Definition of Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease got its name from French surgeon Francois Gigot de la Peyronie. The condition was described by Peyronie in 1743 and is characterized by a curvature in the shaft of the penis. It can be quite painful when men with this condition achieve an erection.
This disease is from scar tissue of plaques that have formed underneath the skin of the penis. The scar tissue tends to form on the top of the penis so that when it’s erect, it curves upward.
As the plaques increase, this is what causes erections to curve. It’s estimated that 6 out of every 100 men have Peyronie’s disease. This condition mainly affects men between 40 and 70. Young men rarely develop it, but some cases have been found in men in their 30s.
Peyronie’s disease is a difficult condition for men to face. Up to half of the men diagnosed with Peyronie’s will suffer from depression, stress, and anxiety. Since a curved penis will cause problems with sexual relations, men need to inform their doctor about what they are experiencing when they first notice something is wrong.
What causes Peyronie’s disease?
The scarring from the plaques in Peyronie’s disease can be from multiple causes. One cause is attributed to vigorous sex or some type of trauma to the penis. Other causes or risks may include the following:
- Age – It’s more likely to occur in older men
- Family history – Men with a close relative (brother or father) who had this disease are at a greater risk
- Men with connective tissue disorders – Men who have plantar fasciitis, scleroderma, or Dupuytren’s disease
- Erectile dysfunction – Men who have ED from complications of diabetes have a four to five times higher risk for Peyronie’s.
- Prostate cancer – Surgery for prostate cancer increases the risk.
Signs of Peyronie’s beside a curved penis
Many men (and women) may not know is there are other signs of Peyronie’s than just a curved penis. There subtle signs should warn men to see their doctor right away since the sooner men with Peyronie’s are treated, the better chance of a recovery.
Here are several potential signs of Peyronie’s men should discuss with their doctor:
- Lumps felt in the penis
- When the penis is erect, it has a noticeable curve
- The penis has become shorter
- Erections are painful and also painful during sex
- Erections can be “soft.”
- The shaft of the penis may have a narrowing or “hourglass” look
Two main treatments for Peyronie’s disease are injections called intralesional collagenase injections and surgery. The injections are an FDA-approved treatment that helps uses the collagenase enzyme to break down the buildup of plaques to help reduce curvature of the penis for better erectile function.
For men with more severe cases of this disease and who fail to respond to non-surgical treatment, surgery is an effective option.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.