Erectile dysfunction, when you have it, the world jumps to conclusions. Google tells you it’s all in your head. That you need to stop thinking and start doing. Your partner thinks you’re psyching yourself out – when it actually creates a catch 22 scenario, it’s the erectile dysfunction itself which is causing you stress.
If you weren’t an over-thinker until erectile dysfunction became a part of your life, it is very likely you have an underlying physical cause. Now you have it, psychology is also at play. Who wouldn’t worry about having erectile dysfunction? You are only human. However, the important distinction to make is this; your erectile dysfunction, if caused physically can only be reversed and cured if its physical cause is confronted.
Erectile dysfunction can be psychological.
However, erectile dysfunction is more than often physiological.
Erectile Dysfunction and Peyronie’s Disease
A healthy erection requires 2 initial changes, a large increase in blood flow and relaxation of the corpora cavenosa. Both work in synchrony. Without spongy tissue relaxation, increased blood flow would not be possible and therefore, you would be unable to achieve a healthy erection.
Physical causes of erectile dysfunction interfere with one or both of these changes. Peyronie’s disease is a classic example and a common cause of erectile dysfunction. Could it be to blame for yours? Over 58% of men with Peyronie’s disease experience some form of erectile dysfunction, before or after diagnosis[i].
What Is Peyronie’s Disease?
If you have an upward ‘bending’ or curve to your penis, you may have Peyronie’s disease. If your penis has shortened, you may have Peyronie’s disease. If you can see a change in the shape, smoothness or size of your penis or feel a noticeable lump, you may have Peyronie’s disease… and frustratingly if you’ve experienced or seen none of these symptoms, you may also have Peyronie’s disease.
Peyronie’s disease is a hardening of the muscles in your penis. Which is specifically caused by a build-up of scar tissue. Have you ever calloused your hands? Picked a scab too many times for it to leave behind a permanent reminder? Both are similar. Now imagine blood trying to flow through these toughened areas of skin. It certainly would certainly not be easy. Peyronie’s disease can stop the muscle tissue in your penis from relaxing and therefore from achieving a healthy erection.
What Causes Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s disease can be caused by damage to your penis or can develop from an internally provoked inflammation. Both lead to a build-up of scar tissue on the penis shaft. Sometimes this can be felt as a hard lump, other times it’s invisible to touch.
So just how does this scar tissue form? There are many ways, but most can be defined as outside or internal effects.
From the outside in, Peyronie’s disease may be caused by injury, it could be developed from normal sexual intercourse or it may also be because of an activity which has resulted in trauma to your penis i.e. mountain biking or other impact sports.
From the inside out, Peyronie’s disease may be caused by health conditions which affect blood artery health i.e. diabetes or high cholesterol.
Peyronie’s Disease and Viagra
Viagra is the common go-to for erectile dysfunction, however, it is not an effective treatment for Peyronie’s disease as it does not have an effect on the Peyronie’s causing plaque material. Even so, the use of Viagra in the treatment of Peyronie’s disease can be effective to treat the Erectile Dysfunctional symptoms, allowing 70% of patients with Peyronie’s disease to achieve a healthy and most importantly strong erection. Before taking such a medication it’s important to speak with a qualified professional as the underlying cause of your Erectile Dysfunction needs to be identified and evaluated, as a serious heart or vascular condition can be aggravated by medication, call us on 0203 131 4188 to discuss.
Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Options
Unlike taking Viagra for Peyronie’s disease, there are many other effective treatment options which aim to reverse the primary cause of Peyronie’s disease – hardened scar tissue. Treatments such as Xiapex and surgery should be discussed and investigated with experts to break down or remove this plaque. Once scar tissue is softened or removed, the erectile dysfunction symptoms you are experiencing and their cause can be isolated and treated separately with protocols such as Shockwave, psychosexual counselling, surgical implants and prosthesis.
These are treatments worth prioritising. Why treat symptoms when instead you can treat the cause of erectile dysfunction directly?
At International Andrology London, we prioritise reversing and correcting the cause of Peyronie’s disease with non-surgical treatments which help break down the offending scar tissue and help to then treat the Erectile Dysfunction directly at its cause. Peyronie’s disease walking hand in hand with Erectile Dysfunction does not have to be a life-long evil partnership.
Ready to take action? Committed to finding, identifying and resolving the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction? Speak to us in confidence, we’re here to help. Contact us today.
[i] Treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with Peyronie’s disease using sildenafil citrate. Levine LA, Latchamsetty KC. Int J Impot Res. 2002 Dec;14(6):478-82.
- Not sure this is exactly correct. It’s more the relaxation of the corpora cavenosa and the blood flow to the spongy tissue – When the brain senses a sexual urge, it sends impulses to local nerves in the penis that cause the muscles of the corpora cavernosa to relax. As a result, blood flows in through the arteries and fills the spaces in the corpora cavernosa like water filling a sponge.
- The blood creates pressure in the corpora cavernosa, making the penis expand.
- The tunica albuginea helps trap the blood in the corpora cavernosa, thereby sustaining the erection.