What causes Peyronies disease ? | Symptoms & treatment guide UK

What Causes Peyronie’s Disease?

Peyronie’s disease is thought to result from abnormal scar tissue formation within the penis.

The condition may develop following repeated minor trauma or injury, leading to curvature, deformity, or discomfort during erection. Many men can recall a single sexual incident where the penis was suddenly bent casing momentarily pain.In other cases of peyronies disease  men cannot recall any such incident and it through in these cases a series of micro traumas over time may be the cause of the disease

What Is Peyronie’s Disease?

Peyronie’s disease is a condition where scar tissue causes penile curvature or deformity. 

How is peyronies disease diagnosed ?

Usually peyronies disease can be diagnosed prima vista, meaning that the disease can diagnosed on-sight. Typical of peyronies disease is a penile curvature that caused the penis to bend in an un-natural position. This bending can be upwards towards the stomach, or to the left or right. The degree to which the penis bends can vary significantly from a mild , almost un-noticeable curve to a curvature of 90 degrees. Usually the angle of the curvature increases over several months as the disease moves from an acute phase into a stable phase. In the acute phase patients sometimes also present with discomfort on erection, but not always. 

How is the stage of the procedure assessed ?

In the acute phase of peyronies disease there is a gradual bending of the penis on erection. In the flaccid state it should be noted that the penis looks perfectly normal. This bending typically continues for six to twelve months and then stops. Urologists will diagnose that the disease is in the stable phase when there has not been any change in the curvature for the previous three months. This is very important because surgical procedures should not be undertaken until the disease has reached the stable phase. It can be a good idea to keep monhtly photos of the penis in full erection and from the same angle , this will help assessmnt of the disease as it prgresses from the actute phase ot the stable phase

Treatment options for peyronies disease 

The treatment for peyronies disease will depend on the severity of the disease and the phase in which the disease is at the time. In the acute phase the focus is on trying to reduce the progression of the disease and improve , as much as possible, the angulation. Again, in this stage surgery is not possible. Typical treatements in the acute phase could include .

- Verapamil or similar collaganese injections

-  PRP , Platelet rich plasma treatment 

- Shockwave therapy ( onlyvif there is pain on erection )

- Tadalafil medication to improve blood flow and erections

- Penis pumps

In the stable phase, if the curvature is significant then conservative therapy may not be enought to improve the curvature to the point that the penis is functionally straight.

In such cases surgery will be required. In terms of surgical approaches here are the ones available.

- The Nesbit operation. Typically offered by the NHS , but leads to penile shortening

- Plaque incision and grafting. Length preserving surgery using a graft to help lngthen the shorter side of the penis

- The stage procedure. Also length sparing, used in milder cases of curvature but where the Nesbiut procedure is not favoured.

 What are Risks and complications ?

All procedures carry risks and the risks will be specific to the procedure undertaken. Your Urologist will go through the potential risks and complications of the therapy chosen duing the consultation. 

How succesful is treatment for peyronies disease ?

In the acute phase treatment can help reduce mild curvature and slow down the progression of the disease. It should be noted that no conservative treatment can guarantee an outcome that the patient will be completely happy with. The disease may progress further even during therapy and ultimately a surgical procedure may be required. In cases of severe curvature, surgery may be the only option. Surgical procedures to correct peyronies disease are generally very successful in making the penis straight again. Any surgical procedure must be understaken in the stable phase to reduce the risk of recurrence.

About Moorgate Andrology

Moorgate Andrology is a UK - based specialist clinic providing penis enlargement surgery, penile filler treatment and peyronies disease management .

Treatments are delivered using a medically-led approach focused on safety, precision, and natural-looking outcomes