In Peyronie’s disease, the penis takes on a bent or curved shape. It can cause pain, erectile dysfunction (ED), and shortening of the organ.
The curvature is caused by scar tissue that develops inside the penis in Peyronie’s disease. The scar tissue can cause flat lumps which can be felt just underneath the skin. The internal scarring can also form a band of hard tissue or cause the organ to develop a slight hourglass shape.
Peyronie’s disease will either resolve on its own or get worse, but an experienced urologist can diagnose the issue and provide measures to help relieve the symptoms quickly. Getting a diagnosis can put you on the path to treatment that works.
Diagnosing Peyronie’s Disease
To diagnose Peyronie’s disease, the doctor will perform a physical exam during which he will palpate the flaccid organ to check for plaque deposits in your penis. He will determine how much scar tissue you have through this method.
In addition, the urologist may also want to see how your penis curves during an erection. Some cases of this disease causes a curve, and other cases cause a banding effect, as if a belt is wrapped around one part of the organ.
To do this, he will inject a drug into the organ to produce an erection. The doctor may take measurements of it, and the doctor may also perform an ultrasound scan to capture internal images. The ultrasound will check for the amount and locations of plaque formation, blood flow, and any other issues.
What Causes Peyronie’s Disease?
The medical community is still unsure of what causes Peyronie’s disease. Some doctors say it may be due to penile injury that causes internal scarring. The injury may be due to sex, sports, or an accident. However, many patients don’t report experiencing any past trauma to the penis.
Typically, plaque formation (internal scarring) in the penis makes it less flexible – which causes the penis to take on a bent or unusual shape when blood rushes to it during an erection. The scar tissue interferes with the normal straightening processes, causing bending or curvature.
The condition is not normal and should be addressed by a urologist before the condition causes shrinkage of the penis. Embarrassment is the number one reason why men hesitate seeking medical attention for Peyronie’s disease, but keep in mind that diagnosing and treating issues of the human body are exactly what doctors do. When the body doesn’t function normally or properly, a doctor can help to repair it.
Peyronie’s Disease Diagnosis and Treatment in Phoenix, Arizona
If you are experiencing symptoms of Peyronie’s disease, don’t be embarrassed to seek help from a doctor who specializes in men’s health. Why wait it out and deal with the stress and anxiety that comes with the condition? It is a highly treatable issue that you do not have to live with any longer.
To schedule a discreet consultation, call Ironwood Urology at (480) 961-2323 or request an appointment online now. Dr. Avila is here to help you get past all of your urological or sexual issues and to help ensure you live a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle.
