Peyronie's Disease
& Penis Curvature
What are the treatments for Peyronie's
Disease?
The focus of the treatments for Peyronie's Disease is on
restoring the sexual function, not on the cosmetic apparance of
the penis. Nonetheless, treatment options for this disease are limited
and often unsatisfactory.
Surgical Procedures
There are three surgical procedures for treating Peyronie's Disease.
In the first, the plaque is removed and replaced by a patch of skin,
in form of a graft from the patient's own skin tissue, a tissue
donation from cadaver, or an artificial skin.
In the second method, called the Nesbit procedure, tissue is removed
or pinched from the penis on the opposite side of the plaque, thus
cancelling the bending effect. In the third method, a straightening
inflatable device is implanted, with or without the removal of the
plaque.
These surgical procedures have varied rate of success, and can have
serious side effects, such as impotence and shortening of the penis.
Moreoever, as up to one-third of Peyronie's Disease cases get better
within 1 to 2 years without any treatment, surgeries are usually
only performed on severe and stable cases of the disease, at 1 to
2 years after the onset.
Other Treatments
Other treatments for Peyronie's Disease have not been conclusively
proven by clinical trials. These include injections of verapamil
(a calcium channel blocker), collagenase (an enzyme that breaks
down collagen or connective tissue), and steroids such as cortisone,
into the plaque.
Another treatment is the radiation therapy, where energy rays are
aimed at the plaque. Even though it seems that radiation alleviates
the pain associated with Peyronie's Disease, it is unclear that
this method can eliminate the plaque and penis curvature.
Natural Treatments
Natural treatments for Peyronie's Disease usually involve
taking supplements that promote healing of connective tissues, such
as:
Vitamin Therapy
Vitamin E, vitamin B complex (also known as PABA or vitamin
H), and vitamin A.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a pineapple enzyme that digest proteins. It may
help to dissolve or prevent the hardening of tissues.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Gotu Kola is an Indian herb used for, amongs other things,
healing skin and connective tissues.
The vitamins and herbs above, although not yet proven as effective
treatment for Peyronie's Disease, are generally accepted as safe.
Vitamin E itself, for instance, is recommended for general health.
Therefore, men with Peyronie's Disease often start on these treatments
while waiting 1 to 2 years before choosing surgery.
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