What Is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s disease is a condition where scar tissue builds up inside the penis, causing it to curve abnormally during an erection. It affects roughly 1 to 4 out of every 100 men, though many cases go unreported because men feel too embarrassed to bring it up with a doctor.
The scar tissue (also called a plaque) forms in a layer called the tunica albuginea. This is the fibrous sheath that wraps around the erectile tissue inside the penis. Normally, this layer stretches evenly during an erection, allowing the penis to become straight and firm. When a hardened plaque develops in one spot, that area cannot stretch. The rest of the penis expands while the scarred area stays rigid, and the result is a noticeable curve or bend.
Why Does This Happen?
The exact cause is still debated among specialists. But the most accepted explanation is that repeated minor injuries or trauma to the penis, sometimes so small you don’t even notice them, trigger an abnormal healing response. Instead of healing cleanly, the tissue forms a fibrous plaque.
Some conditions also raise your risk of developing Peyronie’s disease:
- High blood pressure
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Diabetes
- Dupuytren’s contracture (a condition that causes connective tissue problems in the hands)
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms vary from person to person, but here are the most common ones:
- A noticeable curve or bend in the penis when erect
- Pain during erections or sexual intercourse
- A hard lump or cord-like feeling under the skin of the penis
- The penis appearing shorter or narrower than before
- Difficulty with or painful intercourse
In some men, the condition stabilizes on its own after a while. In others, it gets progressively worse. Either way, it can affect confidence, sexual function, and relationships, and it deserves proper attention.
If you suspect you have Peyronie’s disease, a specialist can confirm it through a physical examination and a penile ultrasound, which shows whether any plaque or scar tissue is present.
Modern Treatment: Regenerative Therapy at ACRT BD
Surgery used to be the main option for Peyronie’s disease. But today, regenerative treatments offer men a way to address the problem without going under the knife. At ACRT BD, two therapies are used together for the best results: focused shockwave therapy and the P-Shot (PRP injection).
1. Focused Shockwave Therapy
Focused shockwave therapy uses acoustic (sound) waves delivered to the affected area of the penis from outside the body. There is no electricity involved and no needles at this stage. The waves pass through the skin and target the plaque directly.
Here is what happens at the tissue level: the shockwaves trigger the release of signaling molecules called cytokines. This sends a signal from the treatment site all the way to the brain. The brain then activates the body’s own natural growth factors, including:
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which promotes new blood vessel formation
- Nitric Oxide Synthase, which improves blood flow
- Cell Proliferating Factor, which encourages new tissue growth
- Stem cell activation, which supports tissue repair and regeneration
The end result is that the scar tissue gradually breaks down and healthy tissue forms in its place. Blood flow improves, the plaque softens, and the curvature reduces over a course of sessions. You can read more about how this works on the extracorporeal focused shockwave therapy page.
2. The P-Shot (Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection)
The P-Shot, short for Priapus Shot, uses your own blood to promote healing. It is a minimally invasive procedure done in three stages:
Step 1 – Blood draw: A small amount of blood is taken from your arm, similar to a standard blood test.
Step 2 – PRP preparation: The blood is placed in a centrifuge machine that spins it at high speed. This separates the plasma, which is rich in platelets and natural growth factors, from the rest of the blood components.
Step 3 – Injection: A topical numbing gel is applied first. Once the area is comfortable, the concentrated PRP is injected into 5 to 6 specific points along the penis using a fine insulin needle. The growth factors in the plasma then get to work repairing damaged tissue, stimulating new cell growth, and improving circulation.
You can learn more about how PRP therapy works for men’s health conditions on the dedicated page.
Why Use Both Together?
Shockwave therapy works from the outside, breaking down scar tissue and stimulating blood flow. The P-Shot works from the inside, delivering concentrated healing factors directly to the damaged tissue. When used together, they reinforce each other.
Multiple studies have shown that combining these two treatments leads to better outcomes than using either one alone. Men report reduction in curvature, less pain during erections, and improved sexual function. The improvements also tend to last, unlike medications that need to be taken continuously.
Both treatments are safe, drug-free, and require no recovery time. Most men return to normal daily activities immediately after each session.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
If you are experiencing any of the following, it is worth having a consultation:
- A visible curve in your erect penis that has developed or worsened over time
- Pain during erections
- Difficulty with intercourse due to the shape of the penis
- A firm lump or band of tissue you can feel under the penile skin
Peyronie’s disease is also closely linked with erectile dysfunction. Many men with Peyronie’s also develop ED, and some already struggle with erectile dysfunction symptoms alongside the curvature. Treating both conditions together, as ACRT BD does, often produces the best results.
Getting Started
Treatment for Peyronie’s disease works best when started early. The longer the scar tissue is left untreated, the more established it becomes, and the harder it is to reverse fully.
Mr. Shamsul Hoque Nadim, Regenerative Therapy Practitioner, sees patients at ACRT BD in Baridhara DOHS, Gulshan, Dhaka.
To book a consultation, send a message on WhatsApp: 01977-656237
