What is Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease is a wound-healing disorder. This means that injury or damage to the penile tissues, particularly within the outer penile tissues, activates a scarring process that goes well beyond the normal healing process. There is an excess buildup of collagen in the penis that leads to the formation of scar-like tissue called plaques. Penile plaques develop in response to a significant trauma or a series of smaller ones like those during normal intercourse. They can lead to changes in the shape of the penis that may include curvature, indention (e.g., hour glass shape) or shortening (e.g., loss of length), thinning (loss of girth) and in some cases, these changes can make it difficult, or even impossible, to engage in sexual intercourse.
What are the signs and symptoms?
When it comes to Peyronie’s disease, no two men are the same. For some, it appears quickly, seemingly overnight. For others, it develops over time. When Peyronie’s disease does start, there are certain symptoms you may notice:
- Hard lump(s) or plaque that form(s) within the penis shaft
- Pain with or without an erection
- Erectile dysfunction
What are your treatment options?
When you have Peyronie’s disease, nothing is more important than learning what you can do about it. There is currently no cure, and many myths and misconceptions exist about which treatments are effective in preventing progression or correcting penile deformities.
Psychological impact on the quality of life?
The psychological impact of Peyronie’s disease can be overwhelming. It’s natural to feel angry, alone, embarrassed, and frustrated. After all, this condition affects one of the most important parts of your life — your manhood and intimacy and closeness with your partner. It is possible, though, for you to get back your confidence and how you relate to others. Consider the following approaches:
Be your own advocate – use resources that have confident, evidence based info. Empower yourself!
Talk to your partner – Overcoming isolation is an important part of coping
Think differently about intimacy – many men suffer alone or in silence-find a therapist or counselor to connect with your new normal.
Communicate with others who have Peyronie’s disease – knowing you’re not alone can help relieve anxiety.
Is there any research to correlate Peyronie’s disease to quality of life?
A web based abstract published in the 2006 Journal of Urology, “Demographics and Mental Health Status of Men with Peyronie’s Disease,” reported on a study conducted by the APDA whereby 434 men were surveyed and which indicated that 40% of men were self-diagnosing for PD. Of the 434 men, a significant percentage (12%) also self-reported depression (this was 4 times greater incidence than in the general population).
If you have Peyronie’s disease, understand that you’ve done nothing wrong. You are not alone. In fact, Peyronie’s disease can effect beyond 9% of men (1 in 10) at some point in their lives. Valid information and the support of your partner are crucial to moving forward.
Educate yourself with resources you can trust. The Association of Peyronie’s Disease Advocates (peyroniesassociation.org) will help you increase your knowledge, connect you with others suffering from PD, and help you understand your options. We are dedicated to helping you go beyond Peyronie’s disease and back to a more fulfilling life.
About the Author:
Stan Hardin is the Director/President of the Association of Peyronie’s Disease Advocates (APDA) and a Peyronie’s disease patient. He has advocated for 10 years for every Peyronie’s disease patient at numerous urological conventions, regional conferences, and has consulted with several industry leaders on how PD can change a man’s quality of life. He has no substantial financial relationships in connection with this article to otherwise disclose.