It is estimated that more than 10% of American men have some form of Peyronie’s disease, which is a curvature of the erect penis. Although this condition is not harmful to a man’s health per se, as it is caused by a buildup of benign scar tissue (plaque) inside the penis, it can negatively impact fertility and sexual function.
The symptoms of Peyronie’s disease are difficult to ignore, especially if you and your partner are trying to conceive a child. Either way, if you have Peyronie’s disease, it is in your best interest to have it treated by a skilled physician as soon as possible in order to prevent it from becoming worse or painful.
Let’s talk about how you can determine whether what you have is Peyronie’s disease, and where you can go for an assessment and effective treatment to help mitigate the condition.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease
The most common symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include the following:
- A curvature or bend in the penis during an erection
- Reduced penile length or girth
- Painful erections
- Feeling hard lumps under the skin of the penis
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Pain during sex
What Causes Peyronie’s Disease?
It is not completely understood what initially causes Peyronie’s disease, but abnormal scar tissue formation in the penis is what causes its symptoms. This scar tissue pulls the skin of the penis inward, which is what causes the curvature.
Several factors could trigger the development of scar tissue, such as trauma or injury to the penis, having a connective-tissue disorder, or diabetes. Having a family history of Peyronie’s disease and prostate cancer is also a risk factor.
How Is Peyronie’s Disease Treated?
Peyronie’s disease rarely improves on its own. It is recommended that patients who notice changes in their penis and sexual function be evaluated as early as possible.
Peyronie’s disease progresses through an acute phase for up to 18 months, during which the patient may experience pain during an erection and notice a curve of the penis. Then, it reaches a chronic phase where the other symptoms taper off and only the curvature remains.
Treatment for Peyronie’s disease in its acute stage usually involves nonsurgical methods, while surgery (removal of the internal scar tissue) may be recommended for patients whose condition has progressed into the chronic stage. Treatment may not be recommended for men who have minimal scar buildup and are not bothered by pain during sex.
For men who are looking for a non-invasive treatment for Peyronie’s disease, sound wave therapy may help. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) uses high-frequency, low-intensity sound waves to break down plaque buildup while also stimulating the formation of new blood vessels.
Non-invasive Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease at NIVA Health
Here at NIVA Health, our skilled and experienced healthcare providers offer sound wave therapy to our male patients who are suffering from Peyronie’s disease or erectile dysfunction. We focus on providing natural therapies and innovative treatments for a variety of issues affecting men.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, call our clinic nearest you or use our online appointment request form. We look forward to restoring your health and wellness through our noninvasive treatments!
