Peyronie’s disease (penile curvature)
Overview
Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a progressive and non-malignant disorder of the penis, which results in an abnormal curvature when erect. The condition is named after François Gigot de la Peyronie, who was a French surgeon and cofounder of Académie Royale de Chirurgie. It was first described in 1561. The abnormal curvature is caused by scar tissue in the erectile tissue; however, the exact mechanism responsible for the formation of this scar tissue remains elusive. PD is reported to affect more than 1 in 10 men in the United States.
As with many other sexual disorders, PD can understandably cause significant distress for patients. The exact cause of PD is unknown, so it’s impossible to definitively predict who will develop PD. The main risk factors are penile injury and connective tissue disorders and other fibroproliferative diseases such as Dupuytren. Some evidence suggests a genetic link; however, this is yet to be confirmed. Diabetes, smoking and alcohol can also increase your chances of developing PD. It is most found in men aged between 40-60 years.
Diagnosis
A physical exam is often the first step to diagnosing PD. Your medical team will accurately evaluate where and how much scar tissue is present, to determine your baseline and to plan your treatment. The penis should be examined both while flaccid and erect.
Treatment
After your examination and diagnosis, your medical team will recommend your treatment options, presenting all their known benefits and risks.
Treatments are usually classified as conservative management, or surgical.
Conservative management involves watchful waiting, especially for patients who have a stable small curvature and who can have sex. This can be combined with the use of vacuum pumps if needed.
Surgical correction of the bent penis is feasible and depends on the degree of the curvature and whether the patient is also experiencing other problems such as erectile dysfunction. There are two main types of surgery: plication and plaque excision, and grafting. Your medical team will explain these in more depth if they are the recommended treatment method for your case.
Why GMI
At the GMI, Department of Urology, a dedicated team of internationally acclaimed physicians guides each patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports patients on their journey by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI Department of Urology both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
