How to Manage Painful Erections
Painful erections are usually more than a mild inconvenience. Learn what to do once it happens, including how the right treatment can help.
Peyronie’s disease affects more men than those who’ve been officially diagnosed. Even though only about 1% of men over the age of 18 are diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease, another roughly 9% have the symptoms associated with the condition.
Expert urologist and men’s health specialist Mike Hsieh, MD, diagnoses and treats Peyronie’s disease at his La Jolla, California, practice. If your erections are painful or bent, here’s what you should do next.
Every human adult has the right to a happy, healthy sex life. If the changes in your penis make sex painful or uncomfortable, you deserve relief.
Most cases of Peyronie’s disease are the result of scar tissue that develops into flat, hardened plaques. The plaques pull on and contract the penile tissue, distorting its shape. You might be able to feel the plaques when you touch or squeeze your erect penis.
The scar tissue and plaques could have developed as a result of an acute injury. They also may have accumulated over time due to microinjuries caused by bouts of vigorous sex or even sports injuries.
Some cases of Peyronie’s disease may be related to underlying autoimmune disorders or problems with connective tissues. For instance, you’re more likely to develop Peyronie’s disease if you have:
You’re also more likely to develop Peyronie’s disease as you age. Men in their 20s or 30s rarely develop it.
Signs and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include:
Intercourse may also be difficult or painful. If you ignore Peyronie’s disease, you could go on to develop complications, such as depression, anxiety, erectile dysfunction (ED), and urinary problems.
When your penis is damaged by scar tissue and sex is uncomfortable, you may also reduce your chances of fathering a child. About three-quarters of men with Peyronie’s disease feel depressed or anxious because of their condition.
If you have a bent or misshapen penis, suspect you have Peyronie’s disease, or have any questions about your penile health, Dr. Hsieh conducts a physical exam and takes a personal and family history. Peyronie’s disease often runs in families.
Depending on your particular symptoms and presentation, Dr. Hsieh may also:
The ultrasound exam helps Dr. Hsieh determine the exact location and size of any plaques, assess penile blood flow, and check for calcium deposits. He also screens for possible tumors, including cancer, during your exam.
Once you have a diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease, you have an answer to why your penis doesn’t look, feel, or function the way it once did. You also have treatment options.
Although the pain of the initial phase of developing Peyronie’s disease may diminish or cease, you don’t have to live with a penis that looks or feels uncomfortable to you or your partner. Depending on your situation, Dr. Hsieh may recommend a number of treatment options, including:
Find out if you have Peyronie’s disease and how you can restore your penile health by contacting us today.
