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Managing Peyronie’s Disease: Overview of Treatment Options

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Peyronie’s disease is a condition in which scar tissue or plaque develops inside the penis. This eventually causes the penis to bend to the side or upward, resulting in painful or difficult erections. Peyronie’s disease is a form of erectile dysfunction (ED), even though many men with the condition can still achieve erections. The cause of Peyronie’s disease is unknown, although it’s believed to be caused by trauma that causes bleeding. Men of any age may develop Peyronie’s disease, but it becomes more common as men age.

Sometimes Peyronie’s disease goes away on its own, especially with mild cases. Doctors typically recommend waiting about a year before pursuing invasive treatment options. There are a few treatments for Peyronie’s disease that can help. Here’s a look at the most common treatment options.

Oral Medication

Some medications may be prescribed to treat mild to moderate Peyronie’s disease. The most common is pentoxifylline, which is approved to improve blood flow and circulatory problems. In 2013, a new drug was approved for treating Peyronie’s disease. Xiaflex is only approved for men who have a lump that can be felt that causes curvature of at least 30 degrees. Xiaflex breaks down the collagen that causes the curvature and it has been found to reduce curvature of the penis. Unfortunately, it’s only approved for severe cases of Peyronie’s disease and there are side effects.

Surgery

For more severe cases of Peyronie’s disease that makes sex impossible, surgery may be a good option. There are a few procedures that may help. Surgery can be used to remove the plaque inside the penis and replace it with a tissue graft. The tissue on the opposite side of the graft may be removed to counteract the bending effect of the disease. Some men may benefit from a penile implant.

While surgery may help, it’s very invasive and there is a very real risk of complications that can’t be reversed. Depending on the procedure, surgery may also result in shorter erections. Surgery is usually only recommended for a small percentage of men who are unable to have sex due to the bending effect.

PRP Therapy

A third option may work well for men with mild to moderate Peyronie’s disease who can’t benefit from medication, are unwilling to undergo potentially risky surgery, or those who want a holistic and natural treatment. PRP therapy uses the science of platelet rich plasma (PRP) to focus the body’s healing factors at the site of the plaque buildup to naturally break down the plaque and prompt new tissue growth.

Also known as the P-Shot, PRP therapy can help ease the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease and reverse curvature while improving sensation and circulation. Many men also experience an increase in length and girth.

The P-Shot has no side effects because it uses your own blood. The procedure itself is painless although results are not immediate as the PRP will take weeks to slowly repair the penis. PRP therapy is a completely holistic approach to treating Peyronie’s disease that does not require medication and surgery; the only ingredient is your own blood!