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What is Peyronie’s Disease?

April 19, 2018

Peyronie’s disease is likely something something you’ve never heard of, but it affects 13 percent of all men. Dr. Jared Bieniek of the Tallwood Urology and Kidney Institute is here to explain. 

Q: What is Peyronie’s disease? 

A: Peyronie’s disease is  a condition. It results from scar tissue or plaque that forms on the penis that eliminates its ability to expand during erection. That can result in various deformities, different curvatures, angular curvatures, indentations or hourglass deformities. It can also affect the ability of the penis to expand along with erection, resulting in erectile dysfunction.

Q: When men find out that they have this condition, they may be uncomfortable talking about it. Why is it important that they see a doctor about this condition? 

Treatment is available. Men need to be evaluated by a urologist who is experienced in treating the disease, be evaluated and talk about all the available treatment options.

Treatment options have gone through a lot of evolution, and there are no pills that are proven to work. Sometimes we talk about various mechanical options basically the way of stretching the penis. While this sounds torturous, it has been shown to work if men commit some time to it. There is also an FDA-approved injectable medication which has shown some benefit of dissolving that plaque, and improving curvatures. There are also surgeries that can help men who don’t have other options.

Q: Can this affect a man’s fertility? 

A: Not necessarily, unless the disease impacts them to the point where they aren’t able to have successful intercourse. In some cases, the curvature may be uncomfortable for them – or even their partners. That really is a quality of life factors for many, and a focus when we consider treatment choices.

Learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of Peyronie’s disease here.