When Ding-Dong erects wrong: Penile curvature

Peyronie's disease is an acquired disorder in which plaque, a fibrous scar tissue, develops beneath the penis's skin. The tunica albuginea, a thick elastic membrane located inside the penis and along the sides of the penis, has plaque forming.

During an erection, the plaque pulls on the surrounding tissues, causing the penis to bend or curve. Penis curves may make it painful to get an erection and intercourse becomes difficult to enjoy.

The corpora cavernosa are two columns of spongy tissue in the shaft of your penis. The spaces between the hollow tissue allow blood to flow in. When pressure builds in the corpora cavernosa, the penis becomes hard and rigid during an erection.

The two primary stages of this Peyronie's disease development in men are:

1. The Acute Phase
2. The Chronic Phase

1. Acute phase

During the acute phase which is the starting phase, the plaque forms. This phase can last up to 12 months. 

Beginning signs are:

• Inflammation and plaque formation on your penis,
• Penile curvature,
• Pain during erection,
• Scar tissue development.

2. Chronic phase

The chronic phase occurs after the plaque has formed, that is, 12 to 18 months after symptoms first appear.

• Plaque and penile curvature may stabilize and not cause more problems,
• The pain in your penis may die down.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) may develop or become worse.

The Basics of Peyronie’s disorder

There is no known contagious agent that can spread Peyronie's disease. There is currently no established cause for Peyronie's disease, however, a range of factors may contribute to its development.

Penile injuries

The tissues inside the penis may be damaged by the penis getting hit or bent. These wounds may develop as a result of an accident, sports activity, or intercourse. Inside the elastic membrane of the tunica albuginea tissue, bleeding and swelling take place during an injury. Plaque and scar tissue will develop while the wound heals. As the surrounding tissues are pulled by the hard plaque, the penis curves.

Connective tissue disorders

Connective tissue is a specialized tissue that supports and joins different types of tissues in your body. 

Some disorders associated with Peyronie’s disease include

• Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot that creates the arch of the foot.
• Scleroderma is the abnormal growth of thick, hard patches of connective tissue causing swelling or pain in muscles and joints.

Autoimmune disease

If the immune system targets the body's own cells in the penis, men with autoimmune diseases may develop Peyronie's disease. Penis inflammation may result from this and the resulting scar tissue forms and develops into plaque.

Autoimmune disorders associated with Peyronie’s disease include

• Systemic lupus erythematosus causes inflammation to various body tissues like the skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.
• Sjögren’s syndrome causes inflammation and damage to the glands that make tears and saliva.

When the penis grows erect in Peyronie's disease, the area affected by scar tissue does not stretch, causing the penis to bend or become deformed and possibly painful. Peyronie's disease appears to develop gradually in some males and has no apparent connection to an injury.

Risk factors of Peyronie’s disease

You may be at higher risk of developing Peyronie’s disease if you

Vigorous activities

Playing sports, especially vigorous ones like boxing or wrestling or other strenuous activities that are both sexual and nonsexual result in micro-injuries to your penis that may seem harmless at first but as the injuries pile on, your penis might produce scar tissue underneath to protect from future injuries. This leads to Peyronie’s disease. 

Family history

According to medical professionals, Peyronie's disease may run in some families. For instance, you could be more likely to contract Peyronie's disease if your father or brother does. As a result, certain people are genetically predisposed to the illness.

Aging

As you get older, your risk of contracting Peyronie's disease rises. The tissues of the penis may change with age, making it more prone to injury and less likely to heal properly. are older – As people age, tissue changes cause easier injury and delayed healing.

Diabetes with erectile dysfunction

Compared to men without diabetes, men with diabetes-associated ED have a 4–5 times increased risk of developing Peyronie's disease.

Prostate cancer treatment with surgery

After a man undergoes prostate cancer surgery, he has a higher probability of developing Peyronie's disease. Medical professionals think this is connected to Erectile Dysfunction that develops following prostate cancer surgery.

What are the signs and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease?

Signs and symptoms of Peyronie's disease might emerge suddenly or develop over time. The most typical indications and symptoms consist of:

• Scar tissue or Plaque, sometimes characterized as flat lumps or a band of hard tissue, can be felt beneath the skin of the penis and is related to Peyronie's disease.
• Causing your penis to bend- Your penis may have an upward, downward, or sideways curvature.

• Erection problems- Peyronie's illness may make it difficult to achieve or keep an erection.
• Shortening of the penis- Peyronie's disease may cause your penis to shrink in size.
• Pain- With or without having an erection, you could experience penile pain.

Note- The curvature of the penis and penile shortening associated with Peyronie's disease might gradually worsen.

What are the complications of Peyronie’s disease?

• Incapacity or difficulty engaging in sexual activity
• difficulty getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• When you experience emotional distress, sadness, or stress related to your sexual performance or the appearance of your penis, you may be experiencing erectile anxiety.
• Stress affecting your sexual partner relationship
• Having a baby is difficult because having sexual relations is difficult or impossible.
• Reduced penis length and penile pain

When to see a doctor

As soon as you observe any Peyronie disease symptoms or signs, make an appointment with your doctor. If the discomfort, bending, length, or other deformities concern you or your partner and you've had the disease for some time, you might want to consult a doctor. The best opportunity to reverse the problem or stop it from getting worse is with early treatment. An erection that curves isn't always a cause for concern. You might think about wanting to be checked out when additional problems are brought on by pain or during sexual activity.

At Kindly, we have a team of experts who will guide you through your sexual and performance health issues. Click here to book a session and find out the cause of your worries in the bedroom. 

How do I look after myself ?

A physical examination helps your doctor identify whether you have Peyronie's disease or not.

1. The first step of this examination is to measure your penis.
2. Your doctor can determine the location and volume of scar tissue by measuring the penis.
3. This aids in figuring out whether your penis has shrunk and to what extent you have the disease.
4. Your doctor may also recommend an ultrasound in order to detect the presence of scar tissue. They may also send you to a urologist (a specialist who treats sexual and urogenital issues).

Health Providers' Treatment

The purpose of treatment is to lessen discomfort, achieve a straighter penis, and regain sexual function. Not all Peyronie's disease-infected males require medical care. Peyronie's disease rarely disappears on its own without medical intervention.

You may not need treatment if you have

• Smaller plaques,
• Barely any curve on your penis,
• No pain or problems with sexual intercourse, and
• No urinary problems.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, how much your penis curves, and whether your Peyronie's disease is in the acute or chronic phase, your urologist may advise nonsurgical therapies or surgery if you need it. Your urologist will go over your treatment options with you as well as any potential results and adverse effects. In addition to medication, your urologist might suggest lifestyle modifications to lower the risk of ED brought on by Peyronie's disease.

 

Non-surgical treatments for Peyronie's disease

Many men do not require treatment because they do not experience pain or because the illness does not impair their ability to perform in bed. There are several non-surgical options for treating Peyronie's disease while it is in its acute stage. Injections, medical treatments, suction or traction machines that can help straighten your penis, or medications are some examples of these.

Your urologist may advise you to use drug-related treatments such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) when you experience pain and discomfort.

Mechanical traction and vacuum devices are examples of non-drug medical treatments that stretch the penis to lessen curvature.

Surgery

Surgery may be advised by a urologist to remove plaque or to assist the penis to stay straight during an erection. When a man has Peyronie's disease, surgery may be advised when:

• symptoms have not improved,
• erections or intercourse, or both, are painful,
• the curve in the penis prevents sexual intercourse completely. 

Optional remedies for Peyronie's illness.

Cognitive and behavioural changes

Changes in lifestyle may lower the risk of ED caused by Peyronie's disease. These include giving up smoking, consuming less alcohol, quitting misuse of drugs, eating a balanced diet with enough water, and engaging in regular exercise.

Share your true emotions with your partner

Your sexual partner may experience distress as a result of this type of worry, which can be caused by Peyronie's illness. Take action to prevent tension between you and your partner by discussing how Peyronie's may impair your performance in bed with your companion and that appropriate medical intervention is needed. If required, ask your physician or a therapist to support you in managing the condition.

In short

Recognize the problem and take the required actions to enhance your quality of life, both inside and outside of the bedroom. Having a curved penis or being unable to enjoy sex to the fullest is nothing to be ashamed about. Understanding the nature of the condition about this inflammatory condition has increased the treatment options available for Peyronie's disease.