Peyronie’s Disease

Peyronie’s Disease (Curvature of the Penis)

Peyronie’s Disease (PD), or curvature of the penis, can be a devastating disease for MANY men since untreated PD can lead to disfigurement & shrinkage of the penile tissue, painful sexual intercourse, inability to achieve an erection, oftentimes social withdrawal, shame, and even depression (a reported 75% of PD sufferers report depression as a result of the condition). It can prevent you from enjoying a fulfilling & satisfying sex life, impacting intimacy with a loved one, and generating feelings of self-consciousness and unhappiness.

Thought to affect about 4 out of every 10 men between the ages of 40 and 70, PD is surprisingly common, yet many men feel too embarrassed or self-conscious to seek treatment. Here at the Doctors Studio, however, we are well-versed in treating PD and its fundamental underlying causes, with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), shockwave therapy & the use of penile Duplex Doppler Ultrasound (PDDU) amongst the diagnostic tools and therapies that we utilize to effectively treat it. But before we look at those treatments, it’s first important to ask…what exactly is PD?

So, What is Peyronie's Disease?

PD is a (non-cancerous) condition that results from the build-up of plaques (fibrous scar tissue, or fibrosis) around the penile area. This fibrous build-up of scar tissue can cause painful erections, bumps &/or curvatures, leading to feelings of anxiety, self-consciousness & avoidance of intimacy, whilst inflammation can cause degeneration, discomfort & pain, a result of an autoimmune process that attacks the tunica albuginea. (the tough fibrous sheath that encases the tubes of the penis). Plaques can often be felt under the skin and feel painful to the touch.

The penis has three tubes; the urethra (which carries urine out of the body), and two corpora cavernosa (soft, spongy tubes that fill with blood to enable an erection), all of which are encased in the tunica albuginea (which is where PD occurs). The plaques formed by PD make it harder for the penis to bend upward, downward, or sideways when it stiffens in an erection (depending on the location of the plaques). Some men might notice that plaque really hardens, almost feeling like bone, and might also notice that their penis has appeared to shrink. Others might notice a narrowing of the shafting of the penis. Some might experience only one lump or curve whilst others experience more.

Whilst a curved erection is not always a cause for concern (after all, penises come in all shapes and sizes!), if PD is the cause, then we need to treat it. The reason for this is because the curvature in PD originates from inflammation and the subsequent formation of scar tissue, which causes damage within the body – and that damage needs to be treated and repaired, then prevented from happening again.

Curiously, some sufferers of PD often also note fibrous abnormalities in the tendons of the hands, feet & eardrum as well as the penis (usually observed where PD appears to have a genetic cause, where a family history of PD often emerges), whilst others notice the origination of the condition after sustaining a minor injury of some kind (e.g., after vigorous sex, or a sports injury). PD can reflect an issue with the normal healing process.

Can Sex Make in Worse?

PD can be made worse by the repeated thrusting action of sexual intercourse. Sexual activity can trigger a sudden episode of inflammation, caused by the repeated mild trauma of the sexual act, which might lead swiftly to discomfort &/or the appearance of a small, firm lump. Whilst this mild trauma and inflammation might disappear without treatment, often the inflammation becomes progressively worse, causing a larger area of fibrous scar tissue to form, which can begin or worsen the process of deformation and curvature of the penis. This can lead to an ‘hour-glass’ deformity where the penis appears to narrow significantly toward the middle of the shaft, which can cause significant self-consciousness and discomfort to the sufferer.

For some men, the condition stabilizes and can improve, but for the majority, inflammation will continue to get worse, leading to a larger area of scarring, deformation, curvature and the aforementioned “hour-glass” deformity where pain during the sexual act can continue over a period of several weeks.  

PD-related changes (e.g., lump, curvature) can change suddenly or occur more slowly over time.  ED (erectile dysfunction) can also occur in some cases due to the onset of venous leak, which we also have extensive experience of treating.

Sometimes the curve is severe enough to prevent comfortable penetration for both partners.  Whilst around a third of men experience a gradual improvement over 12 to 18 months, others experience permanent scarring or inflammation, pain, deformity & curvature that all worsen over time. It is crucial that you seek treatment if you are experiencing any of these symptoms!

Is My Curved Penis PD or Something Else?

PD can be acute (usually lasting for around 6 months, or in some cases, as long as 1.5 years) or chronic. During the acute phase, the curvature might become worse, and you might experience pain, particularly during erections.

During the chronic phase, there is no further increased curvature of the penis as the plaque-causing PD has stopped growing. At this point, you might experience less pain. In both phases, however, PD might be accompanied by pain, discomfort &/or ED, and the condition might flare up particularly as a result of sexual activity, rapidly degenerating if left untreated.

It should be noted that an injury that causes penile fracture might also cause bruising, deformation, or curvature, but this is not considered PD and requires a different form of treatment.

Diagnosing & Treating PD

Can we help you tackle PD?

The answer is a resounding YES.

At the Doctors Studio, we utilize the Penile Duplex Doppler Ultrasound (PDDU) to diagnose PD and locate the exact location of fibrous scar tissue. We then measure fibrous tissue, allowing a baseline measurement against which we can monitor the progression, growth, & rate of healing of your PD. We evaluate plaque build-up and the severity of the condition and use this data to determine the best possible course of treatment available to you.

Some men find that their condition improves without medical intervention (around 13%), whilst others exhibit mild symptoms that they feel can be tolerated. In these cases, the use of a PDDU offers valuable peace of mind, restoring confidence so that the individual can enjoy sex once again without worrying that they might be causing themselves harm or aiding potential physiological degeneration that is often associated with PD.

Other men opt for the medically progressive PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatment, an amazing innovation that allows us to reinject platelet-rich plasma taken from your own body directly into your penis. This helps to stop inflammation, softening the fibrous scar tissue to stimulate improvement & healing. One great benefit of PRP is that it can help to rebuild collagen to improve the appearance of an ‘hourglass’ penile deformity, restoring body confidence.  

We also use shockwave therapy that offers an excellent & progressive treatment for the regeneration of healthy tissue, softening plaque build up and stopping inflammation. We often find a combination of these treatments the most effective, offering game-changing benefits for patients, improving sexual health, restoring intimacy, & changing lives.

We can help you, too.

Let us help you!

As experts in sexual health & performance, the Doctors Studio is ready & waiting to help you deal with your PD, or to diagnose other causes of your penile curvature. Don’t let any type of sexual dysfunction take away your right to healthy, enjoyable sex life!