Can Peyronie’s Disease Be Cured? Honest Answers to Common Questions

The first question a great many men want the answer to after being diagnosed, or after beginning to suspect that they have Peyronie's disease, is "Can Peyronie's be cured?"

The straightforward answer is that Peyronie's disease can be cared for and rehabilitated in many cases, but the word "cured" does not mean that everyone will return entirely to the state they were in before the condition arose. The result depends on the stage of the condition, the character of the fibrous plaque, the degree of curvature, the pain, and the erectile function that may be involved.

This article answers the questions often met about Peyronie's disease, in order to help you understand what can be expected, what should be watched for, and where the assessment should begin.

What is Peyronie's disease?

Peyronie's Disease arises from the abnormal formation of a fibrotic plaque in the layer of the Tunica Albuginea of the penis. The accumulated fibrous tissue makes the tissue in that area lose its elasticity, with the result that the penis curves, twists, or narrows into an hourglass shape when erect, and in some men there may be pain or erectile dysfunction alongside.

The stages of Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease is usually divided into two main stages. The acute inflammatory stage (Acute Phase) covers about the first 12–18 months after the symptoms begin; the patient may have pain during erection and the fibrous plaque is not yet fully hardened. In this stage the lesion may still change. In the chronic stage (Chronic Phase) the plaque is usually stable and the pain decreases, but the curvature and the loss of structure remain.

Can Peyronie's be cured?

If this means "returning to being straight and exactly as before, 100%", the answer is that it cannot be guaranteed in every case.

What present treatment may help with is reducing the size and the density of the plaque, reducing the pain, adjusting the degree of curvature to be less, and restoring erectile function where there is a problem alongside. The result depends on the stage of the condition, the position and the thickness of the plaque, and the response of each individual, so it cannot be guaranteed that it will be "cured completely" in every case.

Can Peyronie's resolve by itself?

In some men the pain may gradually decrease by itself when the condition enters the stable stage, but the plaque and the curvature usually do not go away entirely by themselves.

Plaque that has hardened or has been present a long time in particular usually has little chance of decreasing by itself. Leaving it without assessment may mean not knowing whether the lesion is still changing or has entered the stable stage.

Assessment early on therefore helps you know the state of the condition and decide whether to follow the symptoms or begin planning rehabilitation.

What examination is needed to assess Peyronie's disease?

The doctor usually assesses by palpation in order to identify the position and the hardness of the plaque, together with assessing the degree of curvature. A Penile Color Doppler Ultrasonography helps identify the position, the depth, and the size of the plaque precisely, and assess whether there is venous leakage alongside. All the results of the assessment lead to the design of a plan of treatment for the individual.

The options in treating Peyronie's

The approach to treatment depends on the stage of the condition, the character of the plaque, the degree of curvature, the pain, and any erectile dysfunction that may be involved.

At PYONG MEN the non-surgical approach may consist of:

• Focused Shockwave Therapy, to support the recovery of the tissue and the circulation in the target area
• Intralesional Regenerative Injection, the injection of a biological substance at a particular point under ultrasound guidance
• Mechanical Tension Therapy or VED, to help create a mechanical traction suited to the tissue
• Transrectal QMR, to support the recovery of the deep structures of the pelvis, the nervous system, and the vascular system

In general a non-surgical plan of treatment may take about 2–3 months or more, since remodelling the structure of the tissue is a process that depends on continuity.

In some cases where the curvature is very severe, or the plaque does not respond to rehabilitation, surgery may be an option to consider together with a specialist physician.

In brief

• Peyronie's is not a condition that is "cured completely" in the sense that everything always returns to the state it was in
• Treatment may help reduce the plaque, reduce the pain, adjust the curvature, and restore function
• Plaque in the chronic stage usually does not decrease by itself
• Assessment with ultrasound is important to planning the treatment
• The result depends on the stage of the condition and on the particular character of each individual

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Can Peyronie's be cured completely? Being "cured completely", in the sense of returning entirely to the state before the condition, cannot be guaranteed; but treatment may help reduce the plaque, reduce the curvature, and reduce the symptoms that disturb quality of life.

2. Which stage of Peyronie's disease responds best to treatment? Each stage has a different goal. The acute inflammatory stage may emphasise controlling the inflammation and slowing the formation of new plaque, while the chronic stage may emphasise dissolving the plaque and remodelling the structure. The doctor will assess it for the individual.

3. If the pain has gone, is treatment needed? Pain alone does not indicate that the condition will improve. The plaque and the curvature may remain or go on changing. A doctor should be consulted to assess the present state of the lesion.

4. Is surgery the only option for severe Peyronie's? Not always. Non-surgical treatment may suit some cases, while some cases where the curvature is severe or does not respond to the procedures may have to consider options together with a specialist surgeon.

5. How long does the treatment take? A non-surgical plan of treatment usually continues for 2–3 months, since remodelling the structure of the tissue is a process that takes time.

6. If I suspect I have Peyronie's, where should I begin? You should begin by seeing a doctor for palpation and assessment with ultrasound, before deciding on an approach to treatment.