Peyronies Disease and Impotence

Peyronie's disease is a condition in which plaque builds around the upper or lower side of the penis' erectile tissue, causing a man to experience sexual impotence. The patient often describes feeling a hard lump in the area where plaque has built up. The plaque may trigger localized inflammation to develop, and this can sometimes result in scarring. Symptoms of Peyronie's disease can range from mild to severe. In most cases, symptoms become present very gradually, while in other cases they may appear to become present overnight. How does Peyronie's disease cause the patient to become sexually impotent? The plaque caused by the onset of the disease may cause the penis to lose its natural flexibility. It can also cause substantial pain and many times may cause the penis to bend or arc irregularly during erection. Obviously, this can result in many sexual problems that can disrupt a couple's sexual life and make comfortable intercourse increasingly more difficult. Many patients suffering from Peyronie's disease may find that the pain associated with the condition often subsides over time. But the bending of the penis during an erection may continue long after the pain subsides. 

The plaque that forms on the penis is essentially benign, although obviously it still causes a lot of sexual difficulties for the patient. The location of the plaque is directly related to the direction of the penis' arc. For instance, if the plaque is mostly concentrated on the top of the penis, the penis will tend to bend upwards. When the plaque is concentrated on the under side of the penis, the penis will tend to bend downwards. In some cases, the plaque may be located on both the top and under side of the penis. In these cases, the penis tends to become indented, scarred, and eventually shortened. Many men afflicted with Peyronie's disease may find sexual intercourse impossible due to the pain or irregular bending associated with the condition.

Peyronie's disease is a relatively rare condition that affects roughly one percent of the male population. Onset of this condition tends to be around middle age, although men of any age may be affected with it. Some men afflicted with Peyronie's disease may develop fibrosis in areas of the body that are marked by elastic tissues, such as the feet or the hands. It is estimated that about 30 percent of men will experience fibrosis in conjunction with Peyronie's disease. Another condition that may be affect men with Peyronie's disease is known as Dupuytren's contracture of the hand.

Peyronie's disease can be a difficult condition to treat because little is known about the cause of the condition. The goal of therapy usually consists of keeping the patient sexually active. Unfortunately, doctors and medical researchers still do not know enough of Peyronie's disease to determine a conclusive cause or therapy treatment for this condition. In most cases, patients will need to undergo surgical therapy in order to achieve long-lasting results. However, surgery should always be considered as an option of last resort.

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