What is Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease causes varying degrees of curvature or bends in an erect penis that may make it painful, difficult, or even impossible to have sexual intercourse. Linked to scar tissue (plaque) formation inside the penis that restricts it from stretching fully during an erection, Peyronie’s can develop in early adulthood but is more prevalent in men age 50 or older.
What causes Peyronie’s disease?
The scar tissue associated with Peyronie’s may form as the result of an injury. These plaques can often be felt as hard bumps or bands of tissue under the skin on the top or underside of your penis.
It’s not clear, however, why some men develop the scar tissue associated with Peyronie’s. Your risk factors generally increase if you have:
- A family history of a brother or father with Peyronie’s
- A connective tissue disorder such as Dupuytren's contracture, which causes thickening and fixed contractures of the cord-like structures in your palm that pull the fingers inward
- A history of poor wound healing and scar tissue formation following other injuries or surgeries
Are there health complications associated with Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s is not considered a life-threatening disease but can have a significant impact on your overall well-being.
It can, for instance, cause:
- Difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED)
- Anxiety or stress about sexual abilities and the appearance of your penis
- Inability to have sexual intercourse
- Problems in your relationship with your sexual partner
Peyronie’s may also make it difficult to father a child without in vitro fertilization because a significant curvature can make sexual intercourse painfully difficult or impossible.
What can Xiaflex® injections do for Peyronie’s?
Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) was initially developed to break down the fibrous scar tissue and calcified plaques associated with Dupuytren’s contractures. It has since been approved by the FDA as a viable treatment for Peyronie’s, which causes similar plaque formation. Delivered via six treatment sessions spaced at 10-day intervals, Xiaflex injections are provided right in the office at Advanced Urology for your convenience.
Schedule a visit with Dr. El-Masry today for an evaluation and discussion regarding the best treatment strategies available for Peyronie’s. Call the office or book your visit online.
