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Peyronie’s disease – Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management

Peyronie’s disease – Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management

Peyronie’s disease is a health condition affecting men, where scar tissues cause the penis to curve and lose girth or length. It is a rare case of erectile dysfunction (ED), and in severe cases, it might be painful enough for the patient to avoid intercourse. Unfortunately, the disorder remains undertreated due to its embarrassing nature, even though one in a hundred males over 18 in our country receive a diagnosis for the same.

Symptoms
The primary symptom of this condition is a curvature of the penis. The other signs to look for are painful erections, shortened penis, lumps in the penis, loss of girth, and discomfort during intercourse. Usually, these symptoms develop slowly but can sometimes be noticed overnight.

Causes and risk factors
The definite cause of Peyronie’s disease is yet to be understood, but it is most likely due to damage to small blood vessels during sports or an accident. Although every male does not develop it, a few factors can increase the risk:

Family history
Experts believe the disorder might be hereditary, causing it to pass on to the males in the family. So, if a father suffers from the condition, it may likely be passed on to his son.

Connective tissue disorders
Those with connective tissue disorders might have a greater risk than others. As these disorders affect the patient’s joints, skin, and muscles, they may also develop Peyronie’s disease.

Autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders are disorders where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy organs and cells. If the penile cells are attacked, it might cause inflammation and scar tissue formation, leading to Peyronie’s disease and its symptoms.

Diagnosis
A healthcare expert might try to ascertain the development of Peyronie’s disease by analyzing the symptoms. In addition, the following tests are conducted:

Physical exam
The doctor might palpate the penis to look for signs of scar tissue. They might also measure its length as an initial measurement in case the condition worsens.

Ultrasound
An ultrasound test uses sound waves to produce an image of the soft tissues. This image might show the blood flow, the presence of scar tissue, or any other abnormality.

Treatment
In severe cases, due to pain, the doctor might suggest a few treatment options for the condition, such as:

Surgery
It is suggested when the deformity of the penis is severe and after the curvature stabilizes for three to six months.

Traction therapy
In this method, the organ is stretched using a mechanical device for 30 minutes to eight hours a day. It helps improve the penile length and reduce the deformity.

Patients can consult a healthcare expert about developing a treatment plan that works best for them depending on their symptoms.

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