Peyronie's disease can cause impotence

When you get an erection, arteries bring blood to the spongy tissue in your penis. The blood fills this tissue and makes your penis hard.

Failure to get an erection that is hard enough for sexual intercourse is called erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence.

Sometimes the process doesn't work the way it should. Damaged arteries, blood vessels, and nerves can prevent or obstruct blood flow to your penis. In a few cases, a psychological problem may interfere with erection.

One physical problem than can cause incomplete erection and erectile dysfunction is Peyronie's disease, often called penile curvature.

A man with Peyronie's disease has hardened or "calcified" tissues in his penis. These tissues are called plaque. The hardening is in the tunica abluginea. This is the sheath surrounding the spongy tissue in the penis. The hardening often causes pain and curvature, usually during erection.

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3% of men may have Peyronie's disease


The condition usually occurs between age 45 and 60. The average age is 50, but it can occur in men as young as 18.

Nearly 3% of all men may have Peyronie's disease. Doctors think that many men with Peyronie's disease do not look for help because the symptoms are mild or they are too embarrassed.

Symptoms


Peyronie's disease has three main symptoms:

  • Pain
  • Lumps in the penis
  • Curvature or "angulation" of the penis during erection
These symptoms are not all present in every case. The symptoms may also vary in severity.

Peyronie's disease may start with pain in your erect penis. At this point, you may feel firm lumps in the shaft of your penis. Usually, these lumps are the small areas of plaque forming in the shaft.

As the plaques develop, you will see a bending of your penis during erections. In severe cases, the bending can make sex impossible or uncomfortable for you and your partner. It can also cause worry and anxiety. This in turn can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Causes


Doctors don't know all of the causes of Peyronie's disease. Sudden cases often are caused by trauma to the penis, such as injury or extremely vigorous sexual activity.

There may be a genetic link. There also is evidence that blood vessels may be involved.

If you think you have Peyronie's disease


If you feel pain or abnormal lumps in your penis, see a urologist immediately.

Many men with Peyronie's disease do not need any treatment. The disease sometimes clears up by itself, although it may take several years. Other men, however, do need treatment.

There are a variety of treatments available. You should work with your doctor to decide the best treatment for you.

There is help for ED caused by Peyronie's disease


Erectile dysfunction is different from Peyronie's disease. The disease can lead to physical or psychological impotence. If it does, many treatments for ED are available.

Treatments include drugs such as Viagra, penile implants, vacuum erection devices, injection therapy, and urethral suppositories.

Penile implants can be extremely effective for treating Peyronie's disease and also provide the best alternative for maximum spontaneity during sex.

Implants have been enhanced and perfected over a period of 29 years. Nearly 300,000 men have had a penile implant. Clinical studies show a very high degree of satisfaction with penile implants.

The best treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on many things. These include a man's health and personal and physical tolerance for the treatment. Work with your doctor (usually a urologist specializing in the treatment of ED) and your partner to determine the best treatment for you.