Effective Strategies for Managing Peyronie's Disease
Discover effective treatments for Peyronie's disease, including medications like collagenase and interferon, as well as surgical options such as grafting and penile implants. Early diagnosis and professional consultation are key to managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Learn about diagnosis methods, treatment procedures, recovery times, and important considerations for living with this condition.
Effective Strategies for Managing Peyronie's Disease
Peyronie’s disease is a condition affecting men, characterized by fibrous scar tissue forming inside the penis, which causes curvature and painful erections. Not every curved penis indicates the disease, as natural variations exist. If you notice a pronounced bend or experience pain during an erection, consulting a healthcare professional is essential.
Diagnosis involves examining the penis in both flaccid and erect states to locate scar tissue. An ultrasound may also be performed to assess blood flow and internal soft tissue health.
Medications
Several drugs, administered as pills or injections, aim to reduce scar tissue, curvature, and pain. Examples include:
- Verapamil
Primarily used for high blood pressure, verapamil can also inhibit collagen production, which may contribute to scar tissue formation. - Collagenase
An FDA-approved drug, collagenase clostridium histolyticum, helps treat significant penile curvature by breaking down collagen bonds, often combined with modeling techniques to straighten the penis.
This signaling protein reduces scar tissue by breaking it down, aiding in disease management.
Surgical Options
For severe cases or persistent symptoms over a year, surgery might be recommended. Common procedures include:
- Suturing the Healthy Side
Known as Nesbit plication, this involves suturing the longer, unaffected side of the penis to straighten it. However, it may risk causing erectile dysfunction. - Grafting
This approach involves making incisions in the scarred tissue to stretch the penis and sewing a graft (synthetic or tissue from the patient) to cover the area, helping to straighten the shaft. - Penile Implants
Implants are inserted into the erectile tissues and can be manually manipulated to bend the penis during erections. Factors such as scar location and severity influence this option, and circumcision may be recommended prior to surgery.
Post-surgery hospital stays vary from one to several days. Patients are advised to rest before returning to work, with most needing at least eight weeks before resuming sexual activity.
