Peyronie’s Disease Treatment in Cleveland, OH

Specializing in treating Peyronie’s disease, Dr. Nannan Thirumavalavan, MD is a board-certified urologist based in Cleveland. With extensive expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of Peyronie’s Disease, Dr. Thirumavalavan can offer valuable guidance and support to men dealing with this condition. Schedule an appointment today at our urology clinic in Cleveland to receive a personalized treatment plan and improve your quality of life.

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What is Peyronie’s Disease?

When scar tissue develops under the skin of the penis due to trauma or minor injury, Peyronie’s disease may occur. As the scar tissue forms the penis may become bent or indented during an erection, which can cause increased pain.

Peyronie’s disease is a condition that causes the penis to curve during an erection. It occurs when scar tissue forms in the erectile tissue of the penis, which can cause painful erections and difficulty with sexual intercourse. The cause is believed to be related to injury or trauma to the penis, though most men do not remember a specific incident. As the scar tissue forms the penis may become bent or indented during an erection, which can cause increased pain. The scar takes approximately 6 months to form, which is called the active phase. After 6 months is the stable phase, in which the pain decreases and the curvature stabilizes.

Symptoms and Causes of Peyronie’s Disease

Because Peyronie’s disease will have effects that are both tangible and visible, the symptoms are commonly noticeable to the naked eye. In over 70% of cases, the scar tissue will develop on the top of the penis causing it to bend upwards during an erection. If the scar tissues develops on the bottom or side of the penis, it will bend downward or sideways during an erection. In rare cases, scar tissue may develop all around the penis, causing the shaft to narrow and become very hard.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms of peyronie’s disease:

• Pain during sex, or pain during an erection.
• Hard spots or lumps in the penis.
• Bends or curves in the penis.
• Narrowing or shortening of the penis.

Most often, Peyronie’s disease is caused by injury to the penis due to sports athletic activity, aggressive sex, or an accident of some sort. Most men do not recall a specific injury or event that leads to Peyronie’s disease. There have been cases in which the disease is part of a larger autoimmune issue. If the disease attacks cells within the penis, it can lead to inflammation and scarring.

Because the chances of getting Peyronie’s disease increases with age due to changes in the elasticity of the penis, men over the age of 50 are more commonly affected. In addition, men with a more active sexual lifestyle that may cause injuries to the penis, or men who have a family history of Peyronie’s disease have a higher chance of developing it over their lifetime.

Diagnosis of Peyronie’s Disease

With or without an erection, Peyronie’s disease can most often be diagnosed in a physical exam. If scar tissue is felt, we wait until approximately 6 months after you have had and noticed it. At that time, we perform a penile doppler ultrasound for a formal assessment. In this test, you are given an injection to create an erection and check how your penis curves or narrows. In addition, pictures are taken using ultrasound to get an accurate location of scar tissue. This will allow for a proper treatment plan to be designed.

How is Peyronie’s Disease Treated in Cleveland?

The overall goal of treatment is to reduce pain and strengthen the ability to have intercourse. If you are not experiencing pain, and having very little issues with penile curvature, you may not need treatment until / if the symptoms progress.

Erectile Dysfunction is commonly associated with Peyronie’s disease. Treatment options depend on how severe your curvature is, which direction the curvature is going, and how strong your erections are.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Collagenase Injections (Xiaflex)

• This injection breaks down collagen, a material in scar tissue. The medicine gets injected directly into the scar and reduces the curvature over time.
• A treatment cycle includes 2 injections a few days apart, followed by a few weeks of penile traction. A full treatments course includes up to 4 cycles.
• Risks of Collagenase Injections: Pain, swelling, bruising, allergic reaction, penile fracture

Penile Traction

• This involves stretching the penis when it is not erect and bending it gently against the curvature when it is erect. Traction can be done anytime, so you do not have to wait to start traction.
• Traction Devices – RestoreX is a device designed specifically to help with penile traction. It can be ordered without a prescription and costs approximately $525.

With nonsurgical therapies, Peyronie’s disease can be effectively managed over time, depending on the severity. Your urologist may prescribe a series of injections that may help inflammation or development of scar tissue.

These treatments must be discussed with your doctor prior, as they will be highly dependent on other health factors.

Surgical Treatments

If you are experiencing severe issues with penile curvature or pain, surgery may be recommended. The types of surgery will depend on the severity, but may include grafting or device implantation. Most commonly, the surgeries will include the following:

• Shortening the opposite side of the penis from the scar tissue to straighten the penis (Penile Plication)
• Removal of the scar tissue and placing a graft to correct the curvature (Excision of Plaque and Grafting)
  Placing a prosthetic device inside the penis. (Penile Prosthesis Placement)

Penile Plication Surgery

This is a quick outpatient procedure. Recovery includes no heavy lifting for 1 to 2 weeks, and no sex or masturbation for 6 weeks. Penile Plication does not fix hardness, so it is only an option for you if your erections have no trouble getting and staying erect.

Excision of Plaque and Grafting

Removal of the scar tissue and placing a graft to correct the curvature. This surgery is invasive and is done in very rare situations. If it is done alone, there is a high risk of erectile dysfunction. It is usually only performed at the same time as a penile implant.

Penile Implant Placement

Placing a prosthesis inside the penis reduces the curvature and solves the erectile dysfunction. Best option for men who have Peyronie’s Disease and Erectile Dysfunction. The implant procedure straightens out the curvature and solves erectile dysfunction as well.