Peyronie's disease (Peyronie's Disease) is a state in which abnormal fibrous tissue arises at the area of the layer of tissue of the male sexual organ, making the sexual organ bend when erect, with symptoms of pain, and it may affect sexual capability in the long term. This state may be met less often than a state of weakened capability in general. It may begin from only a slight change, such as feeling a hard lump, feeling tightness and pulling, or observing that the sexual organ begins to bend more when erect. Many men therefore usually hesitate to see a physician, because they are not sure whether it is a normal matter or a signal of a disease

This article gathers clinical information concerning Peyronie's disease, from the mechanism of its arising, the symptoms that should be observed, and the examination and diagnosis, through to the choices of restoration designed specific to the individual at PYONG MEN

What does Peyronie's disease arise from

Peyronie's disease arises from the abnormal creation of a fibrous scar (Fibrotic Plaque) at the area of the layer of membrane wrapping the sponge-like body (Tunica Albuginea), which is the structure that has the duty of holding the blood while the sexual organ is erect. When fibrous tissue accumulates, the tissue in that area loses its flexibility and cannot expand as much as normal tissue

While the sexual organ is erect, the side that has the fibrous tissue is pulled and held back, making the sexual organ bend, become distorted, or narrow and indent into a shape like an hourglass. The hardened fibrous tissue may press on a nerve, giving rise to pain, and in the long term it may disturb the system of closing off the veins that has the duty of holding the blood, giving rise to a state of weakened capability from a state of a leaking vein (Venous Leak) as well

The stages of Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease is usually divided into 2 main stages, which have an effect on the choice of the approach to care, because each stage has different goals and methods of restoration

The inflammatory stage, or the beginning stage, usually arises within the first 12–18 months. The patient may have symptoms of hurting while erect, feel tightness and pulling, and observe that the bending of the sexual organ changes more and more
The stable stage is the period when the fibrous tissue begins to be steady, the shape of the sexual organ changes less, and the symptoms of hurting usually reduce, but the fibrous tissue and the bending still remain

The symptoms that should be observed

Feeling a lump of fibrous tissue under the skin of the sexual organ, usually found at the upper side or the lateral side
The sexual organ bending or being distorted when erect, such as narrowing and indenting like an hourglass
Pain while erect, tightness and pulling or pain at the area that has the fibrous tissue, usually prominent in the inflammatory stage
The sexual organ shortening, from the fibrous tissue pulling on the structure
A state of weakened sexual capability, from the fibrous tissue destroying the flexibility of the system of the veins

The examination and diagnosis of Peyronie's disease

The assessment of Peyronie's disease should assess the structure, the fibrous tissue, the blood vessels, and other accompanying factors systematically

Examination by palpation of the fibrous tissue and assessment of the bending, in order to identify the position, the size, the thickness, and the level of hardness (Calcification) of the fibrous tissue, as well as assessing the degree and the direction of the bending
The assessment of the muscles of the pelvic floor, which usually come to be contracted and tense as well from the pain and the accumulated stress
Penile Color Doppler Ultrasonography, in order to identify the position, the depth, and the size of the fibrous tissue accurately, together with assessing a state of a leaking vein (Venous Leakage) that may arise together with it in the area of the lesion

The choices of restoration of the kind without surgery

At PYONG MEN, the care of Peyronie's disease is considered from the stage of the disease, the character of the fibrous tissue, the level of the bending, the symptoms of hurting, and a state of weakened sexual capability that may arise together. The approaches that may be considered are

Intralesional Regenerative & Fibrosis Release, by injecting an extract from platelets of high concentration at a particular point under the guidance of ultrasound
High-Precision Focused Shockwave Therapy (f-ESWT), in order to support the breaking down of the calcium and the creation of new blood vessels in the area of the fibrous tissue
Mechanical Tension Therapy (Vacuum Erection Device), in order to create a mechanical tension that supports the rearranging of the collagen fibres anew
Transrectal QMR (Quantum Molecular Resonance), in order to restore the nervous system and the deep structures of the blood vessels in the pelvic floor

Generally, the programme of restoration may take about 2–3 months, because the adaptation of the fibrous tissue and the tissue must rely on continuity. The result depends on the character of the fibrous tissue, the stage of the disease, and the response of each individual

Surgery for Peyronie's disease

In some cases, such as severe bending, fibrous tissue that is large in size, much deformation, or no response to the approach without surgery, surgery may be a suitable choice, and it should be considered together with a physician specialised in the urinary system

The care at PYONG MEN does not replace surgery in a case where it is necessary, but is an assessment in order to choose the approach that suits the stage of the disease and the goals of each patient

The approach of PYONG MEN

PYONG MEN gives importance to a systematic assessment before laying out a plan of restoration, considering the structure of the fibrous tissue, the circulation of the blood, the muscles of the pelvic floor, the nervous system, and sexual capability overall

The plan of care therefore does not use the same approach in everyone, but is adjusted according to the result of the examination, the stage of the disease, the severity of the symptoms, and the goals of the patient, so that the care is suitable, safe, and not beyond what is necessary

In short summary

Peyronie's disease is a state in which abnormal fibrous tissue arises at the area of the male sexual organ, giving rise to bending, hurting, tightness and pulling, or affecting sexual capability
This disease has both an inflammatory stage and a stable stage, which have an effect on the choice of the approach to restoration
A complete assessment includes examination by palpation, the assessment of the bending, and Penile Color Doppler Ultrasonography
The choices of the kind without surgery may consist of Growth Factor, Focused Shockwave, the VED, and Transrectal QMR, according to the suitability for each individual
In some cases, surgery is still a suitable choice, and a specialist physician should be consulted

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Can Peyronie's disease go away by itself or not In some individuals, the symptoms of hurting may reduce when the stable stage is entered, but the fibrous tissue and the bending usually do not go away by themselves entirely. The assessment will help say whether the symptoms should be followed or a plan of restoration begun

2. Is Peyronie's connected with an injury of the sexual organ or not It may be connected, particularly small-level injuries accumulated repeatedly until an abnormal process of repair arises and becomes fibrous tissue afterwards

3. If there is still hurting, should the hurting be waited out first, or can an assessment be made straight away The assessment can begin from the stage at which there are still symptoms of hurting, because the information in the beginning stage helps the physician understand the direction of the disease and lay out a plan of care more suitably. As for the procedures, they are considered according to the stage of the disease and the readiness of the tissue

4. Is slight bending considered abnormal or not Slight bending that has been there since birth and does not affect having sexual relations may not be Peyronie's disease, but if the bending arises anew, with fibrous tissue, hurting, or changing more, an assessment should be received

5. Will restoration make the penis come back to being straight as before or not The result depends on the size and the character of the fibrous tissue, the stage of the disease, and the response of each individual. Restoration may help reduce the bending, increase the flexibility, and reduce the symptoms of pulling, but the result cannot be guaranteed to be the same in everyone