Peyronie’s disease is a male sexual health condition characterized by painful, curved erections. About 1% of American men are diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease, but experts suspect it’s even more common than that, and that more than 10% of men could be living with the condition.
Peyronie’s disease develops when plaques, which are thick bands of scar tissue, form on your penis. Since scar tissue doesn’t stretch, these plaques make erections painful and pull your penis in one direction, creating a curve.
It’s not clear what causes Peyronie’s disease, but it’s no secret that it can have a serious effect on your quality of life. Complications of Peyronie’s disease can include low self-esteem, relationship problems, and erectile dysfunction, but what are your treatment options?
Dr. Stuart Shoengold and our team at Center for Female and Male Sexual Medicine offer care for men with Peyronie’s disease and other sexual issues. We’re here to provide support and the latest medical treatments for Peyronie’s disease, including prescription XIAFLEX®.
The most obvious sign of Peyronie’s disease is a curved, painful erection. The curve may bend your penis up, down, or to one side. The pain can make getting an erection or having sexual intercourse uncomfortable or even impossible.
If you have Peyronie’s disease, you may have a raised bump of hard scar tissue that can be felt on your penis. Most men develop these plaques on the top of their penises, but they could be on the underside or sides. Sometimes, Peyrone’s disease can cause shortening of the penis.
Any man can suffer Peyronie’s disease, and experts aren’t sure exactly what causes it. You may be more likely to develop the condition as you get older or if you have:
Having a curved erection on its own doesn’t mean you have Peyronie’s disease. Some men have erections that naturally curve but don’t cause pain or other symptoms.
If your erection is painful or it’s developed a more pronounced curve, don’t ignore these symptoms. Untreated Peyronie’s disease can affect your self-esteem, increase anxiety, and make sexual intercourse painful or impossible.
Peyronie’s disease is painful and distressing for many men, but it can be treated. Dr. Shoengold works with you to diagnose your condition, and he proposes a treatment plan to make sexual intercourse more comfortable and satisfying for you.
Many types of medication - like oral pills and topical creams - don’t make a difference for men with Peyronie’s disease. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
A few different injectable treatments have been shown to break down plaques, including intralesional therapy, interferon, and verapamil.
Dr. Shoengold also offers XIAFLEX, the only FDA-approved injectable treatment for Peyronie’s disease. He might recommend this treatment for you if you have a plaque that can be felt under the skin of your penis and your erection is curved at least 30 degrees.
If you choose XIAFLEX, you’ll get a series of injections at the Center for Female and Male Sexual Medicine. Dr. Shoengold gives you gentle stretching and straightening exercises to do at home for the duration of your treatment.
XIAFLEX contains collagenase clostridium histolyticum, which is an enzyme that breaks down Peyronie’s plaques over time. The injections target the plaque in your penis, and treatment weakens the scar tissue so your penis can stretch more naturally.
You don’t have to live with Peyronie’s disease. Find out if you’re a candidate for XIAFLEX with a confidential consultation at the Center for Female and Male Sexual Medicine. Contact our team online or call our office in Millburn, New Jersey, at 973-218-9400 for an appointment.
