Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Peyronie’s Disease

To say that a man’s sense of self-worth and well-being are attached, to some degree, penile function and appearance would not by any means be a stretch. The development of Peyronie’s disease, which affects only about 10% of men, can be devastating. The condition itself is not a threat to general health, but it has been shown to affect how a man interacts in his intimate relationships.

Because the curvature of the penis can create self-consciousness for the affected man, and physical discomfort for his partner, there is immense value in obtaining proper treatment for this condition. The problem is, many men feel apprehensive about speaking with their doctor due to a belief that surgery will be necessary. Here, we want to discuss nonsurgical treatment options for Peyronie’s disease.

• Oral therapy. In some cases, the same types of drugs developed for erectile dysfunction, called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, may alleviate symptoms. It must be stated, though, that oral therapy is used in a limited number of cases due to limited effectiveness. The entire point of treatment is to attain satisfactory results. If it does not seem as though oral medication will work for you, we will not recommend it.
• Traction therapy. Traction works by opposing the natural force of the penile curvature. Traction therapy involves wearing a specific device for a few hours a day. Data suggests that this method of care works best when combined with another therapy, such as intralesional treatment.
• Intralesional therapy directly treats the plaques that have formed in the tiny tubules of the penis. Intralesional therapy is injected and has demonstrated promising results.

As much as urologists understand a patient’s desire to avoid surgery, the objective in treating Peyronie’s disease is to restore proper shape and function, as well as to improve comfort and emotional well-being. While studies continue on various nonsurgical therapies, the best results have been attributed to surgical correction.

At UT Urology in Chattanooga, it is our intent to assist patients in finding the appropriate treatment for conditions such as Peyronie’s disease. If you have questions regarding this concern or available therapies, we would love to speak with you. Call (423) 778-8765.