Is your penis crooked? Does it curve or bend noticeably to the right or left when you have an erection? For men, it is normal for your penis to have a slight curve to it, but if it is significantly crooked, and interferes with your ability to be intimate, and have sexual intercourse, it is important that you do not ignore it. A severely crooked penis could mean you have Peyronie’s disease, and should be treated by a men’s health specialist.
Peyronie’s Disease is a disorder characterized by the growth of fibrous plaques within the soft tissue of the penis. The plaque, a flat plate of scar tissue, develops on the top or bottom side of the penis inside a thick membrane called the tunica albuginea, which helps trap blood in the corpora cavernosa when the penis becomes erect.
The plaque causes inflammation that develops into a hardened scar. Due to the hardened scar tissue (plaque), it causes an abnormal penile curvature when a man has an erection. Peyronie’s Disease may make sexual intercourse difficult, painful, or occasionally impossible.
In some rare instances, Peyronie’s disease goes away on its own. But in most cases, this condition stays the same, or may worsen. The good news is that Peyronie’s disease is treatable. Some men respond well to non-surgical treatments to break up scar tissue, while others may require surgery to fix the condition. Progression of the disease will eventually result in complete atrophy, if left untreated.
Dr. Avila suggests that men over 50 with any degree of erectile dysfunction are directed towards treating this disease with a penile prosthesis. The Penile Prosthesis will correct curvature and defect. Implanted under the skin, an inflatable penile prosthesis is totally concealed. It restores normal function and anatomy, so the penis looks and feels natural. Best of all, it preserves sensation and the ability to have an orgasm. And with no pill to take or injection to give, you can have sex spontaneously. Patients and partners alike report higher satisfaction with a penile prosthesis over other ED treatments.
If your case of Peyronie’s disease is having a significantly negative impact on your ability to perform sexually, there are currently more treatment options available. Traditionally, Peyronie’s disease was only treated via various surgical interventions, but can now be treated non-surgically. Here are some of the most common surgical and non-surgical treatment options:
Non-surgical Treatments
- Intralesional injection therapy with Xiaflex® or verapamil
- Oral medication
- Vacuum erection devices
- Traction devices
Surgical Treatments
- Scar removal and allograft
- Surgical plication and grafting
- Penile prosthesis
To learn more about Peyronie’s disease, call Dr. Avila today at (480) 961-2323 to schedule a consultation, or request one online. Dr. Avila and the caring staff at Ironwood Urology make your privacy, comfort, and most importantly your health, their number one priority.
