Peyronie’s Disease, or penile fibrosis, is an inflammatory, benign condition that may cause a curvature, deformity or shortening of the erect penis. The condition affects about three percent of men middle-age and older. It is caused by the formation of dense, fibrous scar tissue, or plaque, in the penis’ tunica albuginea, the sheath that surrounds the erectile tissue. Zack Charkawi, M.D. , the founder of Men’s Health Atlanta, has devised a broad array of treatment options to combat this condition.
The cause of Peyronie’s disease is not completely known. However, factors such as genetics and trauma to the penis, which can occur due to injury or invasive penile procedures, may contribute to the disease. Due to the formation of scar tissue in the penis, patients with Peyronie’s disease may experience pain and a curvature or distortion, such as a shortening or narrowing of the penis, during an erection. In severe cases, these symptoms may lead to erectile dysfunction.
Diagnosis of Peyronie’s Disease
If pain or curvature of your penis prevents you from having sex or causes you anxiety, it’s time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Charkawi.
A diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease usually can be made by taking a detailed medical history and conducting a thorough physical examination. Dr. Charkawi will check for and discuss any symptoms that are related to the disease. He recommends that patients bring photographs from a digital or polaroid camera of the erect penis taken from above and both sides, if possible. These can be helpful in making a diagnosis.
In rare cases where a diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease cannot be made through physical examination, a biopsy may be recommended. During a biopsy, a small number of plaque cells are removed from the penis and then examined under a microscope to help diagnose the condition and rule out other diseases.
Treatment Options
In about 15 percent of cases, Peyronie’s disease spontaneously resolves itself without treatment. If treatment is necessary, oral medications, and injections may be used. Therapy aims to relieve symptoms and preserve erectile function. Dr. Charkawi offers these non-surgical options:
- PRP Therapy – PRP therapy is an all-natural medical procedure to relieve symptoms of the condition
- The Priapus, or P, Shot – This is an innovative medical procedure that is highly effective for treating erectile dysfunction.
- Oral Medications — Taking a drug known as para-aminobenzoate or vitamin E tablets may be recommended for several months. Unfortunately, in most cases, these medications have limited success.
- Injections — The injection of verapamil into the plaque in the penis may be recommended. This treatment typically requires about six to 12 injections over six months duration.
- Iontophoresis — This is a technique in which a painless current of electricity is used to deliver verapamil or some other agent under the skin into the plaque.
Note: The content on this web page is not intended to take the place of professional medical advice. Every patient is unique; therefore results may vary.
Dr. Zack Charkawi at Men’s Health Atlanta offers state-of-the-art treatment of Peyronie’s Disease to patients from Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming, Milton, Duluth, Lawrenceville, and Sandy Springs. Schedule your consultation today.
The Men’s Health Atlanta is conveniently located in Johns Creek near the McGinnis Ferry Road and Peachtree Parkway, Highway 141, intersections, directly across from Emory Johns Creek Hospital on Hospital Parkway.