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Peyronies: Symptoms and Treatment
Introduction
There is a thing or two to know about
a condition called Peyronies. This disease is not so
commonly heard of and affects every one to three men
in a hundred. Francois de la Peyronie, surgeon to Louis
XIV of France, first described treatment for this disorder
in 1743. Let’s study a little more to make ourselves
aware of such a disorder, so that we can lead healthy
lives and empower our sexual health.
Peyronies: Symptoms and other features
• Men with Peyronies disease generally seek
medical attention for pain or bending of the penis during
erection, which results from inflammation and scarring
in a particular part of the male anatomy known as the
tunica albuginea.
• This condition is most commonly acquired at
about age 55. A man can be born with curvature of the
penis, though this is not Peyronies disease.
• In addition to producing curvature, Peyronies
disease may change the shape of the erection in other
ways: indentation, diameter reduction, or loss of length.
• Peyronies disease can have a strong psychological
impact.
• Some cases are mild, healing without treatment
within a year of onset. Most cases produce at least
some degree of persistent curvature.
• Peyronies disease can run in families, though
most cases do not appear to be hereditary.
• This condition is not associated with serious
internal disorders. 10 –20% of men develop scarring
of either the hands (Dupuytren’s contractures)
or of the feet.
• The goal of therapy is to maintain sexual function.
In some cases, education about the disease and reassurance
is all that is required. Rarely, when long-term deformity
prevents intercourse, surgery is recommended.
Peyronies: Treatment and healing
• In general, changes in tissue elasticity that
accompany the inflammation of early Peyronie’s
disease are reversible, whereas the loss of elasticity
associated with the end-stage scarring characteristic
of the later illness is not. Since it is a consequence
of local change in elasticity, bending responds best
to medical therapy in the early stage, a period that
generally lasts about six months.
• In order to evaluate medical treatments, we
should know how a case of
Peyronie’s disease evolves on its own, in
the absence of therapy. Understanding this so-called
natural history of the disease provides a basis for
comparison, and a means for deciding when surgical intervention
may be appropriate. During the intial six months of
the disorder, erections can be painful. Eventually,
even in the absence of treatment, the pain usually goes
away. Unfortunately, bending does not always follow
the same pattern. Though it may improve or resolve spontaneously
in a minority of men, most untreated men with Peyronie’s
disease will retain some degree of penile distortion.
Most medical treatments have a success rate of about
60% in improving bending. Some factors associated with
a tendency for bending to persist are: the presence
of dupuytren’s contractures, the presence of heavy
plaque calcification, and the presence of severe (greater
than 45 degrees) curvature.
• Contemporary medication: Vitamin E, Potaba,
Colchicine, Verapamil, Collagenase
• Surgical Treatment: Candidates for surgery should
fulfill four basic criteria. First and foremost is severity.
The risks and expense of an operation only make sense
when bending or deformity is severe enough to seriously
interfere with sexual function. Secondly, natural healing
or spontaneous resolution should have been given an
opportunity. This is usually accomplished by deferring
the decision for surgery at least twelve months from
the time of onset. During this time the third criteria
can be satisfied - an adequate trial of some form of
medical therapy. Finally, no operation should be done
on a man whose condition is changing, either for the
better or worse. The best surgical outcomes are in men
with stable (unchanging) condition.
Conclusion
Peyronies usually heals itself in a few months of
its appearance. However, if it does not, you need to
consult a doctor for early detection and prompt treatment.
Always remember that since there are chances of Peyronies
healing itself you can do without medication if you
take proper care of food and nutrition. Eat fresh, unprocessed,
and unrefined food. Avoid sugar and dairy products.
Drink 72 oz of fresh drinking water daily.
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