Peyronie’s Disease / Penile Curvature
Peyronie’s Disease Care in La Mesa, CA
Evaluation and treatment planning for Peyronie’s disease, penile plaque, penile curvature, painful erections, erectile dysfunction, buckling during intercourse, Xiaflex injections, penile traction therapy, plication, plaque surgery, and penile prosthesis options.
Peyronie's disease is characterized by the formation of a rigid, fibrous plaque under the skin of the penis, potentially altering the shape and firmness of an erection. This condition can have physical and psychological effects and lead to complications including painful erections and impotency. Peyronie's disease may occur at any age, but most frequently in men over the age of 40. Although uncommon, it is possible for younger men to develop the disease.
The plaque or scar tissue associated with Peyronie’s disease is not cancerous, but it can cause curvature, indentation, shortening, pain, erectile dysfunction, and difficulty with intercourse.
Peyronie’s disease evaluation near San Diego.
Alvarado La Mesa Urology provides Peyronie’s disease and men’s sexual health evaluation for patients in La Mesa and surrounding San Diego communities.
Cause of Peyronie’s Disease
The origin of Peyronie's disease is not fully understood, but it may be a result of:
- Trauma or Injury: It is commonly believed that trauma or injury to the penis, such as during sexual activity or vigorous masturbation, can trigger Peyronie's disease. The injury may cause bleeding and inflammation, leading to the formation of scar tissue during the healing process.
- Genetics: There is evidence to suggest that genetic factors may play a role in Peyronie's disease. Some individuals may have an inherited predisposition to develop abnormal scar tissue in response to injury or inflammation.
- Connective Tissue Disorders: Peyronie's disease has been associated with certain connective tissue disorders, such as Dupuytren's contracture, which causes the fingers to bend abnormally. This suggests that abnormalities in collagen production or metabolism may contribute to the development of Peyronie's disease.
- Autoimmune Response: Some researchers believe that Peyronie's disease may result from an autoimmune response, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the penis, leading to the formation of scar tissue.
- Other Health Conditions: Peyronie's disease has been associated with certain health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain inflammatory conditions. These conditions may affect blood flow, tissue health, or the body's healing processes, increasing the risk of developing Peyronie's disease.
It's important to note that while the exact cause of Peyronie's disease remains unclear, it is likely a combination of factors rather than a single cause.
Trauma, microtrauma, inflammation, or healing changes may lead to fibrous plaque formation.
Some men may have a predisposition to abnormal scar formation or related connective tissue conditions.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammatory conditions, and tissue health may influence risk or healing.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease
The predominant symptom of Peyronie's disease is the hard scar tissue that forms on the penile shaft. This can sometimes cause the penis to curve while erect. It is also possible for the disease to display itself as divots or clefts in the skin of the penis. Other symptoms may include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Painful erections
- Penile curvature or irregularity of shape
- Weakness or buckling during intercourse
It is important to note that while these hardened lesions may be unsightly growths or indentations, they are not cancerous.
Plaque may cause curvature, indentation, divots, clefts, shortening, or irregular shape during erection.
Painful erections, weakness, or buckling during intercourse may occur.
Peyronie’s disease may occur with difficulty achieving or maintaining erections firm enough for sex.
Schedule an evaluation if curvature, pain, erectile dysfunction, indentation, shortening, or intercourse difficulty is new, worsening, distressing, or interfering with sexual activity.
Diagnosis of Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie's disease is usually diagnosed during a physical examination by a doctor. The hard plaque can usually be felt with or without an erection. The following tests may also be used to properly diagnose the condition:
The most common test we use to diagnose Peyronie's Disease is to induce an artificial erection in clinic and perform a penile ultrasound.
The doctor may review penile deformity, pain, erectile function, interference with intercourse, distress, and palpable plaque.
An in-office induced erection can help measure curvature, deformity, hinge effect, and functional impact.
Penile ultrasound may evaluate plaque, calcification, blood flow, and erectile tissue health.
Before invasive treatment, evaluation often includes confirming disease stability, erection quality, penile curvature, plaque characteristics, and patient goals.
Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease
Treatment for Peyronie's disease may vary. In some cases, doctors may have patient's monitor their condition before any treatment is recommended. Other types of treatment may include:
- Pentoxifylline
- Injectable medications such as verapamil, interferon and Xiaflex.
- Penile traction therapy
Observation may be appropriate for mild, stable, or non-bothersome cases.
Treatment may include pentoxifylline or injectable medications such as verapamil, interferon, or Xiaflex.
Traction therapy may be used to help address curvature, length concerns, or treatment support.
Xiaflex and Injectable Therapy
Injectable therapy is directed into the plaque or scar tissue. Xiaflex, verapamil, and interferon may be discussed depending on curvature, plaque characteristics, disease phase, goals, risks, and eligibility.
Treatment Planning Factors
Treatment selection depends on pain, curvature severity, erectile function, plaque location, indentation or hinge effect, disease stability, intercourse difficulty, prior treatments, and patient goals.
Surgical Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease
In severe cases where other treatment options may not be effective, surgery may be recommended. The most common straightening surgeries used to treat Peyronie's disease are plication, plaque removal (plaque is removed from within the penis and is followed by placement of a graft or tissue patch), and prosthetic device insertion (penile prosthetic devices may be inserted to straighten the penis and correct its rigidity) or a combination of these techniques.
Plication may be used to straighten curvature when rigidity is adequate and the anatomy is appropriate.
Plaque removal, incision, or grafting may be considered for selected deformities.
Prosthetic devices may be used when Peyronie’s disease occurs with erectile dysfunction or inadequate rigidity.
Surgery is typically considered when disease is stable and symptoms significantly affect intercourse, erectile function, or quality of life. Risks, benefits, recovery, and alternatives should be reviewed carefully.
Common questions about Peyronie’s disease.
These answers are general educational information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. A men’s health urologist can evaluate curvature, plaque, pain, erectile function, and treatment options.
What is Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the formation of rigid, fibrous plaque under the skin of the penis, which can alter the shape and firmness of an erection.
What causes Peyronie’s disease?
The exact cause is not fully understood. Possible contributors include trauma or injury, genetics, connective tissue disorders, autoimmune response, diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammatory conditions, and other healing-related factors.
Can Peyronie’s disease happen in younger men?
Yes. Peyronie’s disease most frequently occurs in men over the age of 40, but younger men can develop the disease.
What symptoms can Peyronie’s disease cause?
Symptoms may include hard scar tissue on the penile shaft, penile curvature, divots or clefts in the skin of the penis, erectile dysfunction, painful erections, irregular shape, weakness, or buckling during intercourse.
Is Peyronie’s disease cancer?
No. The hardened lesions, plaques, growths, or indentations associated with Peyronie’s disease are not cancerous.
How is Peyronie’s disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis may include medical history, physical examination, assessment of palpable plaque, in-office artificial erection testing, and penile ultrasound.
What treatments are available for Peyronie’s disease?
Treatment may include monitoring, pentoxifylline, injectable medications such as verapamil, interferon, or Xiaflex, penile traction therapy, or surgery in severe cases.
When is surgery recommended?
Surgery may be recommended in severe cases where other treatment options are not effective, especially when curvature, rigidity issues, or deformity interfere with intercourse or quality of life.
What surgeries are used for Peyronie’s disease?
Common straightening surgeries include plication, plaque removal with graft or tissue patch placement, penile prosthetic device insertion, or a combination of these techniques.
Where can I get Peyronie’s disease care near San Diego?
Alvarado La Mesa Urology provides Peyronie’s disease and men’s sexual health evaluation in La Mesa, CA, serving patients from San Diego, El Cajon, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, and nearby communities.
Credible educational references.
The educational information on this page is supported by reputable urology and men’s sexual health organizations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Schedule a Peyronie’s disease consultation in La Mesa.
If penile curvature, plaque, painful erections, erectile dysfunction, buckling, indentation, or difficulty with intercourse is affecting your comfort or confidence, Alvarado La Mesa Urology can evaluate your symptoms and discuss care options.