Causes of Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease is a disease that causes deformation (curvature) of the penis. This disease also has other names: penile fibromatosis, fibroplastic (or plastic) induration of the penis. Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the following: a seal appears under the skin of the genital organ, a plaque-case, inside which there are cavernous (spongy) bodies – they are responsible for erection, becoming dense when filled with blood. As a result of the formation of such a plaque during the filling of the cavernous bodies of the penis with blood during erection, it bends.
Peyronie’s disease may appear due to the following reasons:
injury or microtrauma of the penis, as well as a fracture of the penis;
injections of certain drugs for the treatment of impotence, which are made into the penis;
immune disorders (immune attacks of the body on some tissues of the penis);
diabetes mellitus;
atherosclerosis;
connective tissue diseases (such as Paget’s disease, tympanosclerosis, etc.);
metabolic disorders – gout, calcium metabolism disorders;
vitamin E hypovitaminosis;
increased levels of the hormone serotonin in the blood.
SYMPTOMS OF PEYRONIE’S DISEASE
The following clinical manifestations help to recognize the disease:
pain that occurs during an erection;
a palpable seal located under the skin of the penis;
curvature of the penis;
erectile dysfunction;
functional (without reducing the length) shortening of the penis.
classification
Peyronie’s disease has several forms: acute (with increased blood supply to the area of compaction) and chronic.
According to the degree of curvature and the size of the seal , there are three categories:
1 – with a plaque size of less than 2 cm and a curvature of less than 30 degrees;
2 – with a plaque size from 2 to 4 cm and a curvature of 30-60 degrees;
3 – with a plaque size of more than 4 cm and a curvature of more than 60 degrees.
In addition, the classification takes into account the location of the seal – at the base, on the trunk or in the area of the glans penis.
DIAGNOSIS OF PEYRONIE’S DISEASE
In addition to the analysis of complaints and anamnesis of the disease and lifestyle, as well as a medical examination of the penis, previously introduced in a state of artificial erection, the diagnosis uses:
Ultrasound of the penis;
MRI of the penis;
cavernosography of the penis (radiography with the introduction of an X-ray contrast preparation into the internal tissues of the penis);
consultation of a urologist-andrologist.
TREATMENT OF PEYRONIE’S DISEASE
As a rule, traditionally a surgical way is used to treat the disease: removal of plaque or alignment of the penis.
In the early stages and during the acute form (with increased blood circulation in the area of compaction), medication is possible: taking vitamin E, anti-inflammatory drugs, cytostatics, drugs that inhibit the formation and activity of fibroblasts, as well as drugs that reduce the formation of collagen, and immunomodulators.
Local therapy aimed at reducing plaque, including physical therapy, is also used.
Without treatment, this disease can cause complications such as impotence, pain in the penis during erection, shortening of the penis, depression, infertility.
As a preventive measure to prevent the occurrence of Peyronie’s disease, it is recommended:
to adhere to a healthy lifestyle – this includes proper nutrition, physical (sports) activity, and the rejection of alcohol, nicotine and other poisons, and sufficient mobility;
maintain constant health monitoring – especially blood pressure;
avoid injuries to the genitals;
regularly undergo professional examinations by a urologist or urologist-andrologist.
