|
Peyronie's
Disease
This fact sheet provides some helpful information about Peyronie's disease,
a distressing condition which is now being recognized more frequently.
Impotence Australia can assist with telephone counselling
and support as well as referral to a specialist.
What is Peyronie's disease?
Peyronie's disease is the presence of fibrous within the shaft of the
penis. The plaques are formed in the tissues outside of the main erectile
bodies and give rise to bending and angulation of the erect penis. Sometimes
the bending is so marked that it makes sexual intercourse impossible.
Doctors are unsure of what causes Peyronie's disease and many factors
may contribute to the disease occurring. The condition can affect men
of any age and with different degrees of severity. These plaques lead
to distortion of the penis when erect.
Why is it called Peyronie's disease?
Peyronie's disease was so-named after Francois Gigot de La Peyronie who,
in 1743, described the characteristic of fibrotic and sometimes calcified
plaque under the skin in the penis. He did not discover the disease- there
is evidence that it existed in the 6th Century BC!
What are the main effects of the disease?
There are three main symptoms of Peyronie's disease- pain, lumps in the
penis and bending of the penis (all of these may not be present and they
may vary in severity). Some men initially experience pain in their penis
when they have an erection. Often this painful stage will disappear without
any treatment. At this stage the man may be able to feel firm lumps (known
as plaques) in the shaft of the penis. As these plaques develop he will
notice bending or angulation of the penis when erect. In severe cases
this distortion of the penis can make sexual intercourse impossible or
extremely uncomfortable for both partners. Sometimes worrying about the
problem can lead to difficulties in obtaining or maintaining an erection.
Who can get Peyronie's disease?
Any man can develop Peyronie's disease. The average age of onset is 50
years, but it can occur in men as young as 18 years of age.
What should I do if I think I have Peyronie's disease?
Go to your doctor as soon as you feel any pain or abnormal lumps in your
penis. If Preyronie's disease is diagnosed, ask your doctor to explain
about the condition and the treatment options available. Your doctor may
referral you to a Sexual Health Specialist or Urologist. There are Sexual
Health Centers available through your local area health service. These
can be found in your phone book under Sexual Health.
Sometimes, the condition may clear itself, but this may take several years.
However, there are treatments available and the sooner the condition is
treated the earlier it can be helped.
What are the treatment options and how long will it take?
Over the years a large number of different treatments have been used but
no single treatment is effective in all cases.
Vitamin E is the simplest form of treatment.
Surgery is only considered once the disease has been present for one year
and has stabilized. It is necessary in about 10% of men and is usually
performed if the deformity is such that it is causing difficulty with
sexual intercourse. The operation consists of taking a tuck out of the
convex side of the bend and it is relatively successful in 80% of patients.
Poor results are usually due to progression of the disease or anxiety.
Excision of the fibrous plaque is not advisable as this often leads to
impaired erections and in such patients the implantation of a penile prosthesis
is necessary.
The psychological impact can be devastating, for both the sufferer and
their partner, and affect upon the relationship. Some men will avoid getting
into either a relationship or sexual situation. Either partner maybe afraid
to have intercourse, fearing further "damage". The sufferer
may blame or accuse their partner of having been the one to "damage"
their penis. Fears that a partner may look for a "normal" partner
and embarrassment in seeking help are common.
What can I do to help myself?
Find out as much as you can about the disease and the treatments. After
appropriate discussion with your doctor a referral to a Sexual Health
Physician or Urologist with a special interest in impotence medicine,
should be arranged. If you have a partner then share your information
with them, as a supportive, well-informed partner is a great help. Remember,
the disease appears to strike on a random basis and it is not linked to
infections or cancer. The main aim is to get the condition treated and
correct the deformity- even if it takes a while.
Impotence Telephone Help-line (02) 9280 0084 |