Treatments for Peyronie’s Disease
What Is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s disease is most common in middle-aged men, but it can affect men of all ages. As you age, you’re at a higher risk, but it isn’t a normal part of aging, as noted by WebMD. This condition is caused by scar tissue that builds up inside the penis, typically causing the penis to bend or develop a curvature. The Urology Care Foundation points out that this scar tissue, which is also called “plaques,” can be painful and sometimes felt through the skin.
There are two stages of Peyronie’s disease, according to the Urology Care Foundation. During the acute phase, which typically lasts between six and 18 months, plaques form, the bending worsens and pain often accompanies erections. In the chronic phase, the plaques stop growing, there isn’t any further curving and the pain usually ends.
Peyronie’s Disease Treatment: Medication
There’s no one-size-fits-all cure for Peyronie’s disease. In a small number of patients, the condition goes away on its own. For others, doctors typically recommend trying medications and delaying potential surgery for around 12 months, according to the Urology Care Foundation. Although further research is needed on the effectiveness of medication, treatment may include:
- Vitamin E, which shows some promise for reducing scar tissue
- Carnitine, an antioxidant medication that could reduce swelling
- Tamoxifen, a non-steroidal drug typically used to treat a specific type of tumor that’s similar to the scar tissue formed in patients with Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s Disease Treatment: Injections
Oral medications aren’t the only options for Peyronie’s disease treatments. Injecting medications directly into the scar tissue can help deliver higher doses of the drug right to the affected area. This is typically used for men in the acute phase who aren’t sure about having surgical treatment. The Urology Care Foundation notes that the following medications show promise:
- Verapamil provides pain relief and helps lessen the curvature.
- Interferon helps minimize scarring.
- Collagenase could help break down the scar tissue to treat men with curves exceeding 30 degrees.
Peyronie’s Disease Treatment: Alternative Treatment
Iontophoresis, a procedure in which an electric current delivers a steroid and verapamil through the skin, is another possible Peyronie’s disease treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, researchers are looking into non-drug treatments like using shockwave therapy to break up scar tissue. The Urology Care Foundation points to small research studies that suggest using traction to stretch the penis for two to six hours a day for six months or longer could restore shape and length.
Peyronie’s Disease Treatment: Surgery
Doctors typically reserve surgery for men with severe cases and debilitating symptoms. In most cases, doctors recommend delaying surgery until the disease is in its chronic phase and the patient is free of pain for nine months or longer, according to the Urology Care Foundation. The Mayo Clinic notes that there are three main types of surgery:
- Suturing: Surgeons suture the side opposite the scar tissue to help straighten the penis.
- Incision/excision and grafting: Surgeons cut into the scar tissue to allow the penis to straighten.
- Penile implants: Surgeons place an implant into the penis to help with both the curvature and erectile dysfunction.