Peyronie’s disease affects about 200,000 American men each year and causes painful erections. At Huntington Urology Specialists in Pasadena, California, you can get effective treatment for Peyronie’s disease to relieve your discomfort and help you enjoy greater sexual well-being. Ramin Khalili, MD, Armen Dikranian, MD, and their specialized team provide reliable treatment with a caring bedside manner so you can get back to feeling your best. Excellent results have been achieved with modern treatments like Xiaflex which has greatly improved treatment success. To schedule a visit, call the office or book an appointment online today.

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What is Peyronie’s disease?

Peyronie’s disease is a condition that causes fibrotic scar tissue, called plaques, to develop within your penis, leading to painful erections. The scar tissue grows underneath the skin of your penis, which can also cause your penis to curve when you have an erection.

Scar tissue can form anywhere in your penis and may make sexual intercourse painful, difficult, or even impossible, depending on the severity of your case. The scar tissue begins to form in the acute phase of the condition, which can last about 18 months. Once formed, your condition can become chronic and last 12-18 months or longer if left untreated.

What causes Peyronie’s disease?

Peyronie’s disease develops from an injury to your penis or an autoimmune condition that promotes the formation of scar tissue. While the condition is benign and not cancerous, it can become very uncomfortable and prevent you from enjoying sexual intercourse.

Certain things can increase your risk of developing Peyronie’s disease, like:

  • Engaging in vigorous activities or sexual intercourse that cause microtraumas to your penis
  • Connective tissue or autoimmune disorders
  • Family history of Peyronie’s disease
  • Diabetes and erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • History of prostate cancer

Peyronie’s disease becomes more common as you age and mostly affects men over the age of 55, although it can occur in your 20s or 30s, especially if you have risk factors for the condition.

How is Peyronie’s disease diagnosed?

To diagnose Peyronie’s disease, your doctor begins with a medical and family history to determine if you’re at an increased risk for the condition. Your doctor then gently examines your penis to feel for areas of scar tissue.

As urologists, the team is trained to assess the amount of scar tissue in your penis without needing advanced imaging or a biopsy, in most cases, so your exam is not invasive.

How is Peyronie’s disease treated?

Treatment for Peyronie’s disease depends on the severity of your symptoms and the amount of scar tissue within your penis. In some cases, lifestyle changes can decrease your symptoms significantly. Your doctor may also recommend a visit to your primary care physician or internist for additional care if you have diabetes.

Treatments can include:

  • Injections – Xiaflex
  • Oral medications
  • Non-surgical procedures like shockwave therapy or traction
  • Surgery

Surgery is only recommended for chronic cases that have stabilized, and no more scar tissue is forming.

To schedule an exam or get treatment for Peyronie’s disease, call the office or schedule a visit using the online booking tool today.