Written by: Samsul Haque Nadim, Certified shockwave practitioner and men’s sexual health expert
Peyronie’s disease, known in Bangla as a bent or curved penis, is a connective tissue disorder in which fibrous plaque builds up in the soft tissue of the penis. It affects roughly one to four out of every 100 men. The fibrosing process mainly occurs in the tunica albuginea, the fibrous layer that covers the corpora cavernosa. This condition is medically termed Peyronie’s disease, sometimes also called fibrous cavernositis. In this state, fibrous scar tissue forms within the layers of erectile tissue (the cavernosa).
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What causes it?
Doctors haven’t fully agreed on the exact cause of Peyronie’s disease. What’s understood is that it happens when scar tissue replaces the normally elastic tissue in parts of the penis. In a healthy penis, the elastic tissue stretches during an erection, allowing the penis to straighten out. Since scar tissue isn’t elastic and stays rigid while the rest of the tissue expands, the penis ends up bending. If the scar tissue wraps around the penis, it can create a bottleneck-like narrowing or cause shortening. Believed contributing factors include injury, inflammation, or pressure on an erect penis. Another possible cause is injection-based treatment for erectile dysfunction. Certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, arterial stiffness, or diabetes, are also linked to it. An injury that doesn’t heal properly can lead to Peyronie’s disease as well.
Symptoms
Pain during erection, a rope-like feeling under the skin, or an abnormal curve in the penis are common signs. The penis may also become thinner or shorter. Pain is usually present in the early stage and tends to subside within 12 to 18 months. Later on, erectile function is affected, leading to erectile dysfunction. Intercourse can become painful or difficult, although many men report satisfactory sex lives despite having the condition. It can affect men of any age or ethnicity, but is most common in Caucasian men over 40. It isn’t contagious and has no connection to cancer. It only affects the penis.
Diagnosis and treatment
A skilled urologist can diagnose the condition through penile ultrasonography or color Doppler scanning, and can then recommend appropriate treatment.
A non-surgical option: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
This treatment uses a specialized device to deliver shockwaves, or acoustic pressure waves, through the skin to the affected area. These waves are mechanical, not electrical. The low-intensity sound waves penetrate the penile tissue and increase blood flow in the affected region. That increase in blood flow triggers the body’s own natural inflammatory and repair process, helping to build new tissue that softens the hardened scar tissue and straightens the penis. This is a relatively new treatment for Peyronie’s disease, considered safe and fast-acting. There’s no bleeding, no cutting, and no side effects. Each session runs about 20 to 30 minutes, once a week, for a total of 7 to 10 sessions.
What is the P-Shot (PRP)?
It’s a non-hyaluronic acid filler made from platelet-rich plasma. Blood is drawn from the patient and placed into a special gel-and-calcium tube. The tubes are then spun in a centrifuge to separate out the platelet-rich plasma. The plasma that collects at the top of the tube is injected into the scarred or curved area of the penis. Numbing cream and local anesthesia are applied beforehand. Over one to three months, this process breaks down the scar tissue and helps form new penile tissue.
How PRP works
Platelet-rich plasma is loaded with growth factors, including PDGF, TGF, DEGF, IGF, FGF, and TSP-1. These stimulate the body’s natural growth factors to build new tissue and restore normal erectile function.
Advantages
Easy to tolerate, simple to perform, strong results, safe, and non-allergenic.
Disadvantages
Requires specialized equipment, takes time, and needs specific training. The P-Shot, or PRP, is considered a breakthrough regenerative therapy for treating penile curvature and has generated significant interest worldwide. Combining it with shockwave therapy further improves success rates, with no side effects.
About the author: Certified shockwave practitioner and men’s sexual health expert. “Advanced Centre for Regenerative Therapy”
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