Peyronies disease is a disorder of the connective tissue that affects more than one percent of all men. The causes of this disease are not yet completely known, but it seems that genetic factors, penis injury, circulation disorders and diabetes have a contribution in the etiology of this disease. The symptoms of Peyronies disease include a lump on the penile shaft, pain in the affected area and the deformation of the penis.
Because the exact causes of Peyronies disease are not well understood yet, the treatment for this disease is very controversial. There are many drugs available on the market that claim to have the ability to cure Peyronies disease, but the results of using these medications are still ambiguous. The success of these medications in treating Peyronies disease depends on the severity of the condition and on other elements such as the presence and extent of plaque calcification and the severity of the penile deformation (a curvature that is over 45 degrees is considered severe).
The first medication ever used to treat Peyronies disease was Vitamin E. This treatment was introduced around 1945 and it is still used today with some degree of success. The effectiveness of Vitamin E in treating Peyronies disease has not been proven by clinical trials. However, due to its low costs and few side effects, many people are willing to try it. Vitamin E treatment seems to have no effect on the size of the lump or on the penile deformation, but it can reduce scars associated with Peyronies disease.
Cholchicine is a medication used in the acute phase of Peyronies disease. This drug was initially developed to relieve symptoms in conditions such as gout, but it is currently used to reduce inflammation associated with Peyronies disease. Just like in the case of Vitamin E, controlled studies have failed to show the effectiveness of this drug in treating or relieving the symptoms of Peyronies disease. The side effects of Cholchicine can vary from stomach problems and diarrhea to the suppression of white cells production.
Aminobenzoate Potassium or Potaba is another medication traditionally used in the treatment of Peyronies disease. This drug is also used to treat fibrosis. Even though this treatment is considered ‘possibly effective’ for Peyronies disease by the FDA, its side effects and its large dosage make it relatively unpopular.
Verapamil injections are an invasive treatment for Peyronies disease. This treatment requires an urologist to inject a calcium channel blocker (Verapamil) directly into the affected area of the penis. The results of this treatment for Peyronies disease are very controversial and recent results of controlled studies show that this treatment seems to be relatively ineffective.
Other medications used in the treatment of Peyronies disease include Collagenase, Tamoxifen, steroid injections and Pentoxiphylline. Unfortunately, there are not enough studies yet that prove the effectiveness of these medications. Radiation therapy is another method used to treat Peyronies disease. It seems that this method is very effective in reducing pain, but it has no effect on the lump and scars. In addition, this method can have serious side effects.
While not all cases of Peyronie's develops from an injury to the male genitals this is thought to be what is the start of most cases of Peyronie's. Once an injury occurs the damaged tissue can develop internal scars along layers of particular types of tissue. Then a hardening of the tissue or plaque build-up can form.
Quick Fact: It is somewhat uncommon, Peyronie's affects between one and three men in a hundred.
Injury to the genital area appears to be a very common culprit for a cause but not all cases of Peyronie's start with an injury. It does not explain why many cases develop over time and with no direct injury event to point to . It also does not explain why some with Peyronie's disease will rapidly disappear or why a similar condition called Dupuytren's contracture that can affect the hands and feet does not seem to result from severe injury.
While it can be difficult to wait it out some doctors will recommend against surgery and push for waiting one or two years to see if the Peyronie's will clear up on its own. Since it is hard to tell if the condition will worsen or stay the same or suddenly clear up this can be an added strain to simply waiting. The disease can play out very differently in each man that it affects.
Fast Fact: An interesting fact about Peyronie's disease is around one-third of men will also develop a thickening or hardening of tissues in the feet and or hands.
Some men with Peyronie's experience pain and some may even have severe pain while other men have no pain problems at all. The placement of where the plaque develops can also vary greatly from man to man. The size of the plaque, it's hardness and position has no standard. These variations in symptoms can make the problem confusing as men try to figure out on their own what might be wrong with them.
Often the worst problems a man will suffer with Peyronie's disease is the psychological trauma. His manhood is becoming physically deformed and this can and will place great mental strain on a man and any relationship he may be in. Counseling or professional guidance of some kind is often recommended to help couples through the problems brought on by this disease.
Quick Fact: It is most common between the ages of 45 and 60.
Article Source :
About Author
Both Maciek Wozniak & Todd Massey are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Maciek Wozniak has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Author is a webteam member of Jes Extender - site. Visit jes-extender.dk for more articles.. Maciek Wozniak's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.
Todd Massey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lose Weight, Bacterial Vaginosis and Lose Weight. Want to get a more complete don't delay, learn more today.. Discover the best possible. Todd Massey's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.