Imagine waking up one morning and noticing a worrisome curve in your penis. As the weeks pass, the curve becomes more pronounced, impacting your intimate moments. Meanwhile, you start having trouble getting or maintaining erections like you used to.
What was once easy now requires mental gymnastics just to perform. These distressing situations are often signs of Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction – two related yet distinct conditions that can develop individually or together.
Both conditions not only cause physical discomfort but also emotional distress. Let’s learn what these conditions are, how they’re related, and what you can do if you’re experiencing them.
What is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s disease is a condition that occurs when scar tissue, called plaques, forms inside the penis. This can cause the penis to bend or curve when erect, which can be painful and make sexual intercourse difficult.
The exact cause of Peyronie’s disease is still unknown, but it’s thought to be related to injury or trauma to the penis, such as bending or hitting. This can cause bleeding and eventually lead to scar tissue formation.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction, on the other hand, is an issue that affects a man’s ability to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse.
Many factors can contribute to ED, including physical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, as well as psychological issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.
How Peyronie’s Disease and Erectile Dysfunction Are Related?
The answer to this question lies in the physiological changes that occur with Peyronie’s disease. The scar tissue in Peyronie’s disease can cause the penis to bend or curve abnormally, which can make achieving or maintaining an erection difficult. The pain caused by the disease can also make sexual intercourse less enjoyable or even impossible, further contributing to erectile dysfunction.
Moreover, the psychological stress and anxiety associated with Peyronie’s disease can exacerbate ED. Men with Peyronie’s disease often experience low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety about sexual performance, all of which can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
It’s important to mention here that people suffering from erectile dysfunction, especially diabetes-related ED, are also four to five times more likely to get Peyronie’s disease.
Addressing Peyronie’s Disease and ED
Living with both Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction can be challenging, but it’s crucial to remember that there are a variety of treatment options available. The choice of treatment often depends on the severity of your condition and your overall health status.
Peyronie’s Disease Treatment
Peyronie’s disease treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition and the individual’s symptoms. Here are some common treatment approaches:
- Oral Medications: Several oral medications are often used, such as Potaba, Colchicine, Tamoxifen, and Carnitine, which aim to reduce inflammation and scar tissue formation. However, their effectiveness varies, and they may have side effects.
- Injections: In some cases, medication might be injected directly into the plaque to help soften and reduce it. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (Xiaflex) is an FDA-approved injection for this purpose.
- Shock Wave Therapy: This non-invasive therapy uses sound waves to break up the plaque.
- Traction Therapy: Penile traction therapy (PTT) has been increasingly recognized as a novel non-surgical treatment for men with Peyronie’s disease. This form of therapy leverages a device that stretches the penis, either straight out or in the direction opposite of the curve.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgical options may be considered. The most common option is inserting a penile implant, as it addresses significant penile curvature and erectile dysfunction at the same time.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
For erectile dysfunction (ED), treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause.
- Lifestyle Changes: Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and obesity can contribute to ED. Therefore, making healthier lifestyle choices can significantly improve erectile function.
- Medications: Several medications can improve blood flow to the penis, helping men achieve and maintain an erection. These include Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and Avanafil (Stendra).
- Devices: Vacuum erection devices, also known as penis pumps, can be used to draw blood into the penis to induce an erection. If other treatments aren’t effective, penile implants can provide a permanent solution to ED.
Peyronie’s Disease Treatment in Phoenix, AZ
At Ironwood Urology, led by board-certified urologist Dr. Desiderio Avila, we are committed to providing comprehensive evaluation and treatment for men’s health conditions, including Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction. Dr. Avila is highly skilled in both non-surgical and surgical treatments for men’s health conditions.
To know more about Peyronie’s disease treatment or ED therapies or to set up a private consultation with one of our providers, call us today at (480) 961-2323 or use our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
