Peyronie’s Disease is something that affects many Australian males who are often too embarrassed by the condition to seek effective treatment. To encourage men to have the condition dealt with, it’s important to first understand more about Peyronie’s Disease and the treatment options available.
This article will discuss Peyronie’s Disease in more detail and also highlight some of the treatment options available, including shockwave therapy (not as scary as it sounds) and whether it’s a viable option or not.
What Is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s Disease is a disfigurement of the penis, presenting with either a marked curvature, a loss of penile length when erect, or even indentations along the penis. Some men with the condition experience pain while others do not.
Sometimes, Peyronie’s Disease is the result of a penis injury that has occurred during intercourse. Other men have the condition even without a known injury to the penis. What causes the penis deformity is a plaque formation. This plaque results in thick, elastic scar tissue which can cause the penis to curve disproportionately, sideways, downwards or upwards.
Undergoing a physical examination by a urologist is usually all it takes to determine if a patient has Peyronie’s Disease, although other tests, such as an ultrasound, may be required to rule out other possibilities.
Men who are over 50 are more prone to having Peyronie’s Disease (although it can happen at any age) and the condition often affects erectile function, leading to sexual frustration. Therefore, it’s vital that the condition is diagnosed and treated.
If you have Peyronie’s Disease, or suspect you might have, consult with a specialist. Just search for one in your area online. For example, “Peyronie’s Disease treatment in Sydney”.
Typical Symptoms Of Peyronie’s Disease
Before getting into the shockwave therapy method of treatment for Peyronie’s Disease, let’s quickly look at some of the typical symptoms associated with the condition.
- A noticeable curvature or bend in the penis, upwards, sideways or downwards
- Erectile dysfunction, causing the patient to have difficulty achieving or maintaining a satisfying erection
- Scar tissue or plaque in a section of the penis
- Constriction of the penis, causing it to tighten in one location and bend
- Pain associated with having an erection
- The shortening of the overall length of the penis (no man wants this)
Treating Peyronie’s Disease With Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
There are a number of different treatments available for Peyronie’s Disease and these include medications taken either orally or icp injections being injected directly into the penis. Surgery has been one of the most common ways of correcting Peyronie’s Disease. There is also Iontophoresis treatment that uses an electric current to administer medications through the skin of the penis, such as steroids and verapamil.
Let’s now discover more about extracorporeal shockwave therapy in the treatment of Peyronie’s Disease.
Also known simply as ESWT, extracorporeal shockwave therapy has been shown to have an effect on pain associated with Peyronie’s Disease and has demonstrated to be “somewhat” effective in straightening the penis, as well as improving erectile function. Studies into the effectiveness of shockwave therapy as a standard procedure to treat the condition are still ongoing and the technique is constantly undergoing improvements for better results. Both pain and curvature following extracorporeal shockwave therapy resolve much faster than merely leaving Peyronie’s Disease untreated and left to resolve naturally.
How shockwave therapy works is that powerful shockwaves, or sound waves, are utilised to try and break up the scar tissue that presents with Peyronie’s Disease and correct the curve.
The current problem with this form of therapy in the treatment of Peyronie’s Disease is that there is not yet enough substantial evidence to suggest that shockwave therapy is a proficient means of treating the condition. It’s also yet to be determined what the adverse effects of this type of treatment might be and whether the method can be improved enough to be effective down the track.
In Conclusion
Peyronie’s Disease affects many Aussie males but it’s not something that has to be endured. There are effective treatments available that can correct the condition. As yet, extracorporeal shockwave therapy has not been adequately proven as a good option to take at this stage. It’s best to discuss your treatment options with a urologist.
