Frequently Asked Questions About Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's disease, also known as acquired penile curvature that occurs in older age, is a disease characterized by plaque formation in the flexible sheath (Tunica Albuginea) surrounding the tube structures (Corpora Cavernosa) inside the penis that fill with blood during erection to provide rigidity.

Depending on the number, structure, and location of this non-malignant fibrous scar tissue, the penis curves to the right, left, upward, or downward. The degree of curvature varies from person to person. In this article I have prepared about acquired penile curvature, which is among the penile deformities frequently seen in men, you can find answers to the most curious questions about the subject.

Is Peyronie's a Serious Disease?

Peyronie's disease causes the penis to curve. Although it does not have an effect on general physical health, depending on the degree of curvature it causes in the penis, it can prevent sexual intercourse, lead to performance anxiety in men, and negatively affect body image.

What Causes Peyronie's Disease?

Making definitive statements about the causes of Peyronie's is far from being a correct approach. However, the presence of various risk factors can be mentioned. Genetic factors, advancing age, connective tissue disorders, and autoimmune diseases can be listed among important risk factors. Apart from all these, it can be stated that trauma to the pelvic region and blows to the penis can also result in penile curvature. It is also a prominent view that Peyronie's disease emerges as a result of a problem in the wound healing process (aberrant wound healing).

What Complaints Does Peyronie's Disease Cause?

When Peyronie's disease progresses and no treatment process is sought, it can cause various complications.

• Erectile dysfunction

• Inability to engage in sexual intercourse

• Pain during sexual intercourse (Dyspareunia)

• Stress caused by penile shape

• Shortening of penile length

• Penile pain and pain during erection

• Damage to relationships

These are among the problems that may be experienced as a result of Peyronie's.

How Do I Know If I Have Peyronie's?

When Peyronie's is in the acute phase, plaques have not yet formed and the penis has not curved. Therefore, patients experience pain problems during this period. It is important not to ignore symptoms such as penile pain or pain during erection in order to apply for treatment processes as early as possible. When the disease passes to the chronic phase, patients may notice hard plaques under the penile skin.

Does Peyronie's Prevent Intercourse?

The answer to this question may vary from patient to patient. Patients with a high angle of curvature in their penis may not be physically able to engage in sexual intercourse. Patients who experience significant curvature in their penis due to Peyronie's can get rid of penile curvature with surgical treatment methods.

How Does Peyronie's Disease Go Away?

Although extremely rare, Peyronie's disease may resolve spontaneously in some patients. However, if treatment is not applied when the acute phase begins, the disease tends to move to the chronic phase. In the chronic phase, plaque formations become stable. When the formation of plaques is completed and penile curvature reaches an angle that prevents sexual intercourse, the only treatment method stands out as surgical operation.

How is Peyronie's Surgery Performed?

Peyronie's surgery is an extremely complicated surgery that requires experience. The techniques to be applied may differ from patient to patient.

1. The first stage during the operation is the complete peeling of the penile skin (degloving).

2. Thus, when saline solution is given into the tube structures that provide erection (artificial erection), a much clearer image of the penile curvature can be obtained.

3. In selected patients, after the plaque is excised (removed), the saphenous vein is harvested from the leg to restore the functions of the sheath surrounding the tubes, and this structure is made into a graft and sutured to the sheath.

4. If necessary, the penis is brought to a straight structure with corrective sutures (plication).

When Can Sexual Intercourse Be Resumed After Peyronie's Surgery?

Patients who have had Peyronie's surgery need to abstain from sexual intercourse for 8 weeks. Masturbation should not be performed during this process either. Heavy lifting should be avoided, and brisk exercises should not be performed until full recovery occurs.