Overview of Peyronie’s Disease
Many men, as they get older, develop a curved penis, called Peyronie’s disease, which can then affect their ability to have erections and to have sex. Peyronie’s disease is a condition that results in inflammation and abnormal scar tissue, or plaque, formation within the body of the penis, which can result in a curved, painful erection.
Medications
Oral treatments focus on inhibiting inflammation and the development of scar tissue, but there is little evidence to support their effectiveness. Utah Men’s Health uses oral treatments sparingly, but they can include
- Pentoxifylline (Trental)
- Daily Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (i.e. sildenafil, tadalafil)
- L-arginine
- Vitamin E
Surgery
In severe cases of Peyronie’s disease, if a patient is not a candidate for injection therapy, or if other treatment methods have failed, surgery may be necessary to correct curvature.
Verapamil Injections
Verapamil is a calcium channel inhibitor drug that is most often used to control blood pressure. However, the drug can also stop the progression of scar formation in Peyronie’s disease, and may be a good medical therapy.
Injecting verapamil directly into the plaque may help soften the plaque and reduce pain, especially early in the condition.
Penile Traction Therapy
Traction, or stretching, therapy focuses on stretching the penis over time in order to straighten the penis. Traction therapy is performed using a device that straightens and stretches your penis, and can be worn comfortably under your clothes for long periods of time. A number of these devices exist, and we can counsel you on which are best. Early evidence shows that penile stretching can improve curvature over time.
Xiaflex Treatment
Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) is the only FDA approved medical therapy for Peyronie’s disease. The drug is an enzyme that degraded the scar tissue, and has been shown in clinical trials to improve penile curvature in most men who are candidates.
- A Xiaflex treatment course consists of a maximum of 4 treatment cycles.
- Each treatment cycle consists of 2 Xiaflex injection procedures. Penile modeling should be included 1-3 days after each injection round.
Penile Implant (Penile Prosthesis)
A man’s erection after implant surgery looks and feels very natural. The penile implant does not change your sensation or ability to climax. The implant is replacing the erectile tissue that does not function anymore.
When inflated, the implant makes the penis rigid like a natural erection. The erection lasts for as long as you, and/or your partner, desires. Patients and partners report over a 95% satisfaction rate!
