Peyronie’s Disease (PD), a condition resulting from fibrous scar tissue that develops on the penal organ, is one of the potential causes of erectile dysfunction (ED). But, can PD treatment cure ED?
Some treatments for PD may improve ED, according to Dr. Joseph Brito, a urologist at Yale Medicine.
He wrote on Healthline, “In the active phase of Peyronie’s disease, pain can be a significant factor in limiting erectile function. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can provide enough pain relief to improve erectile function.”
Citing a 2018 study, Dr. Brito said shockwave treatment to the penile organ may help ease pain in men with PD and treat ED as well. “However, it’s not proven to treat curvature or improve erectile function over the long term,” added.
Dr. Brito, who is also a member of the American Urological Association, said, “PDE5 inhibitors, like sildenafil (Viagra), have been shown to improve both Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction symptoms at doses as low as 25 milligrams. In complex cases of Peyronie’s disease with severe erectile dysfunction, a penile prosthesis can be surgically implanted, which can fix both issues at once.”
The urologist explained that in 90% of men with PD, the pain resolves without medical treatment within 12 to 18 months, referring to a 2019 study. “Only about 3 to 13 percent of people with Peyronie’s disease will see improvements in penile curvature without treatment, though,” he wrote.
Dr. Brito also said it is important to consider the psychological impact of PD, as one study has found that 80% of men with PD will experience mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or both.
Generally, physicians treat PD by injecting medications directly into the scar tissue to break up the deposited collagen. The medications include verapamil, interferon alpha-2b, collagenase, and clostridium histolyticum.
In some cases, surgeons remove the scar tissue through an incision, correcting the curvature. Shockwave treatment is yet another effective way of managing pain in men with PD. To know more, check what Dr. Brito has to say in his article “Ask the Expert: Can Peyronie’s Disease Treatments Cure Erectile Dysfunction?” published in Healthline.
