Peyronie’s Disease Treatment in Hartford, CT
If left untreated, Peyronie’s disease may negatively affect your quality of life and sexual intimacy. Dr. Gerard Pregenzer is a board-certified urologist specializing in the treatment of men’s sexual health conditions, including the diagnosis and treatment of Peyronie’s disease. Dr. Pregenzer takes an integrative and comprehensive approach to health care and offers FDA-approved therapies to treat symptoms of your urologic condition. If you are experiencing symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease and are seeking treatment, please call (860) 962-6600 or request an appointment online to schedule a consultation at our urology clinic in Enfield and West Hartford, CT.
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.
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, the 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, you may be experiencing 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. However, 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, you may be given an injectable drug to create an erection and check how your penis curves or narrows. In addition, an ultrasound or X-ray may be ordered to get an accurate location of the buildup of scar tissue. This will allow for a proper treatment plan to be designed.
How is Peyronie’s Disease Treated?
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 the symptoms progress. In a few cases, the disease will resolve itself without any treatment.
Because there is a risk of erectile dysfunction associated with Peyronie’s disease, you may get recommended a change in lifestyle. This can include decreasing the amount of vigorous sexual activity or aggressive sports and quitting any smoking, illegal drugs, or alcohol consumption.
Nonsurgical Treatments
With medications and therapies, Peyronie’s disease can be effectively managed over time, pending the severity. Dr. Pregenzer may prescribe a series of medications that may help inflammation or development of scar tissue. These treatments can include:
- Steroid injections.
- Vitamin E.
- Colchicine.
- Carnitine.
- Collagenase Injections.
- RestoreX.
These treatments must be discussed with Dr. Pregenzer prior, as they will be highly dependent on other health factors.
Peyronie’s Disease Treatment in West Hartford
Dr. Gerard Pregenzer is a men’s health specialist providing comprehensive testing and treatment for Peyronie’s Disease at his urology clinic in Enfield and West Hartford, CT. To schedule a consultation for Peyronie’s Disease treatment, please call (860) 962-6600 or request an appointment through our secure online form. If you are experiencing issues with Peyronie’s disease, contact Pregenzer Urology to learn more about Xiaflex and determine which treatment option is right for you.