Peyronies disease...

Peyronie’s disease or the problem of the bent penis is a disease that can be contracted at any age. The actual cause of the condition is still unknown. It could be the result of an injury to the penis, a family history of the disease or a result of Dupuytren's contracture, where a similar plaque is present in the palm of the hand.

Picture of Peyronie’s Disease: The study of Peyronie’s Disease involves understanding the condition and symptoms of the disease. Peyronie’s disease is a condition characterized by a plaque or a hard lump that forms on the penis. The plaque formed in the tissue surrounding the main erectile bodies causes the penis to bend during erection. The first symptom is a localized inflammation that develops into a hardened scar. The other symptoms of the disease are pain during erection, a palpable lump in the penis shaft and the curving of the penis at erection. In severe cases of the Peyronie’s disease the plaque hardens and reduces flexibility. This condition is painful and forces the penis to bend or arc during erection.

The plaque itself is not cancerous. When there is a plaque on the top of the shaft, which is the most common condition, the penis bends upward. A plaque that develops on the underside causes it to bend downward. In some cases, the plaque develops on both sides, leading to indentation and shortening of the penis. The symptoms may develop slowly or appear overnight. They vary according to the severity of the case. The pain decreases in the course of time in certain cases, but the bend in the penis could prevail. This makes sexual intercourse very difficult and painful.

Photo of Peyronie’s Disease: The diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease is done with a physical examination. For a complete evaluation, doctors need to see the severity of the penile curvature during erection. This is done via an injection or self-stimulation at the doctor’s clinic. However, most patients prefer to avoid this, by taking a digital or Polaroid photo of the diseased area at home. The examination may also include an ultrasound scan or a photo of the penis, to locate and identify the extent of the plaque formation. The scan gives the doctor an idea of the flow of blood in the penis.

Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease: It is important to note that in some cases of Peyronie’s disease, the patients do not require any treatment at all. At the same time, there are many treatment options referred to over the years, without effective results. The different treatments of Peyronie’s disease include:
- Oral Tamoxifen in the early stages that prevents formation of fibrous plaque.
- Vitamin E that is effective in reducing the pain and deformity without altering the underlying erectile dysfunction.
- Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker known to decrease the plaque size and pain.
- Colchicine, potassium amino benzoate and interferon treatment.
- Extra corporeal shock wave therapy or ESWT.
- Radiation therapy and Surgery for plaque removal and to cure the penile deformity.

However, the chemical treatment of the Peyronie’s disease and the radiation therapy may result in unwelcome side effects on the health of patient.

Cure to Peyronies Disease: There is no complete cure to Peyronie’s disease and the only option is surgery. However, there are clinics and institutes that offer alternative treatments and natural cure therapies. The natural cure therapists believe that the scar is an expression of the body’s health. The condition is viewed as a result of abnormalities within the physiology of the patient. The treatment aims at improving and curing the abnormal tissue in and around the scar. The alternative treatments include nutritional supplements like Vitamin E and Para- amino benzoate, a form of Vitamin B-Complex.