FAQ about Peyronie's disease
When you come for the first consultation, Michael will go into depth about the whole issue, both with physical and psychological impacts. The first consultation is as follows.
- A thorough screening is made of the degree of curvature, physical and mental health status and your medical history and possible impact on your erection ability
- We do a high-quality ultrasound scan to reveal the size of the fibrosis/plaque (the ball/string you feel).
- We will determine your expectations for treatment and what level we expect to be able to move you to, based on the results of the study.
- Advanced body composition measurement and screening of body balances and health status with the Inbody770 system. Read more below.
- You will receive the first treatment with shockwave and EMTT, if you want to start the treatment, here you will be instructed in home exercises to do between treatments to ensure a good result.
At the start of treatment, it may be useful to bring a photo of the penis in an erect state to show the location of the curvature. This allows us to better target treatment. Otherwise, we also have a dummy so we can see exactly what the penis looks like if you're uncomfortable taking a picture.
We'll go in depth to make sure we can put the right treatment strategy in place to restore quality to your sex life. The treatment and examination is carried out by one of Denmark's leading experts in urological shockwave treatment, Michael, who is also a member of The International Society for Sexual Medicine.
The treatment with focused shockwave, also known as ESWT (Extracorporeal ShockWaveTherapy). This is done by "shooting" high-frequency sound waves into the fibrosis/plaque area via an application head. This alters the biological processes around the "sphere" itself so that it breaks down into a less solid form. This means that when we affect the plaque area during treatment, it will be broken down into smaller pieces so that the curvature is reduced.
The processes set in motion can be enhanced by therapies such as stretching exercises, vacuum therapy and the use of penile traction devices can help to correct the curvature or bending. You will be guided through this when you arrive for your treatment.
In particular, the biological processes of collagen transformation, stem cell release, cell communication and blood vessel formation are the reasons why we can use shockwave effectively for peyronies. When we combine with EMTT it is because it has an increased general stimulation, which makes the tissue more elastic and flexible. There are no other clinics offering this combination treatment in Denmark. When the tissue is stiff, it also helps to increase the curvature and can in some cases result in a shortening of the penis.
The treatment itself involves applying a gel to the penis where the fibrosis is located, and then shooting a series of pulses into the tissue, depending on what we have identified on the ultrasound scan. The treatment may feel like stinging and tingling. In rare cases, a slight soreness may be felt after treatment. You can use your penis as normal throughout the treatment.
The treatment of Peyronie's aims to relieve symptoms, prevent further progression of the condition and improve sexual function. Treatment options may include medication, therapy, surgery or a combination of these. Medications can be used to reduce pain and prevent further plaque formation, however, these are not used in the UK.
To determine the degree of fibrosis/plaque, an ultrasound scan is necessary, it is not enough to "just" feel. This also ensures that we hit the right area in the subsequent shockwave treatment. Ultrasound scanning for peyronie's is only offered by a few clinics in Denmark, and therefore Michael has extensive experience and knowledge about uncovering fibrosis/plaque in the penis. It can also identify whether it is the connective tissue that is tight, and that is what predicts the problem. Without an ultrasound scan, it will be very difficult to choose the specific protocol, as well as to give a prognosis on the course of treatment and the subsequent outcome. We'll help you understand this when we do the scan. Here are some examples of different sizes of fibrosis in the penis.
A normal course of treatment lasts 6-8 weeks, with 1 weekly shockwave treatment, where we perform a series of shockwave pulses in the area where the hard "ball/string" is located. We supplement with EMTT to increase the elasticity of the tissue, so that there is more "space" again. This means that we get faster results in the clinic than with shockwave alone. After treatment, you can expect less curvature, less pain in the area, and increased sexual function. In addition, multiple treatments may be required for multiple pieces of fibrosis.
In the clinic, Michael also sees more complex cases that require a more customized pathway, tailored to your needs and intensity.
- It costs 1.200 DKK per treatment, with shockwave and combination of EMTT
- The first examination costs DKK 2,400 including an ultrasound scan.
- As one of the few clinicians in Denmark and the only one in Copenhagen, Michael works directly with Storz Medical in Switzerland. As the leading manufacturer of shockwave equipment for urological conditions, we are at the forefront of the latest research and technology in the clinic, and have specialist equipment for the treatment of peyronie's.
Peyronie's disease is a condition involving the development of scar tissue in the penis. The exact cause of Peyronie's is still unknown, but it is thought to be caused by microscopic tissue damage or inflammation of the connective tissue surrounding the erectile tissues of the penis. This injury can trigger an abnormal healing reaction that leads to the formation of plaque or scar tissue in the penis.
Induratio penis plastica can be compared to an inflammatory condition that typically first presents with pain and tenderness in the penis. It is usually most pronounced during erection during intercourse, and can thus affect one's sex drive. It can also lead to Erectile Dysfunction in severe cases
Scar tissue associated with Peyronie's refers to fibrotic plaque that develops in the penis. Plaque is a thick and hard scar tissue that forms under the skin of the penis. It may feel like a stiff or uneven lump. The plaque is responsible for the curvature or bending of the penis during an erection and can cause pain and sexual dysfunction.
The typical symptoms of Peyronie's include a curvature or bending of the penis during erection, scar tissue or plaques under the skin, pain during erection and difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. The curvature can vary in degree, from mild to severe, and can be upward, downward or sideways. Some men also experience loss of penis length or girth.
Peyronie's disease, which is not congenital, can occur during life, where the cause may be due to an autoimmune reaction. Which may be triggered by small injuries to the penis during sexual activity. Thickened, tender nodules form in the swelling membranes, causing pain and discomfort. However, the condition is completely harmless. In the inflammation phase, shockwave and EMTT may be able to reduce pain and slow the condition.
Whether it's congenital or developed later in life, mild penile misalignment causes no symptoms or pain. The bias should be treated only in cases where the degree of bias makes intercourse difficult or impossible.
The condition usually progresses in two phases:
- The first phase often lasts a year and is marked by painful erections, while the penis starts to curve and become deformed
- In the second phase, the soreness subsides. Here, the painful areas heal up with rigid scar tissue or also called plaque. The result can be an hourglass-shaped penis in erect state or curvature of the penis.
The condition does not heal itself and treatment will be required. Studies have shown that 10% experience improvement after 5-10 years, 40% experience the condition as stable and 50% experience worsening over time
Congenital significant curvature of the penis is relatively rare, affecting less than 1% of men.
Induratio penis plastica, on the other hand, is not uncommon. The prevalence increases with age, affecting up to 13% of the male population to varying degrees. Not everyone experiences discomfort and it is rare that the condition is so pronounced that intercourse with a partner becomes difficult.
As a non-invasive treatment, shockwave is the most effective. But in severe cases, surgery is provisionally the most effective treatment, and 50-75% of curvatures will be corrected satisfactorily. However, at least one year must elapse between the end of the curvature process and the offer of surgery. In the clinic, Michael sees many clients who have already had surgery without the desired result. Here we see an improvement of the condition with shockwave afterwards.
Peyronie's can be diagnosed through a physical examination of the penis and an assessment of the symptoms. Typically, the penis will be examined in an erect position to assess the degree of curvature and localization of plaque or scar tissue. In addition, further tests such as ultrasound or X-ray may be requested to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the degree of curvature. At MS Insight, ultrasound is the first examination performed, as it provides the best insight into the impact of the tissue.
To give you even more insight into your health status and to see if there are risk factors in relation to your general health, an advanced analysis is offered at the first treatment with an InBody770.
InBody 770 is an advanced body analysis machine used to measure body composition, muscle mass, fat percentage and more. This machine is capable of providing accurate and detailed measurements, making it suitable for analysis as an adjunct to treatment. It can provide an increased qualification about what response can be expected to shockwave treatment, in relation to the body's state of health.
It can also help track progress in training and dietary changes. That is why I also offer you to have new measurements taken for any follow-up treatments after the first course. Then you can see how your lifestyle changes affect your overall health, which in turn affects the results of shockwave treatment.
A man's penis is in many cases the source of his self-esteem and who he is. If his self-image erodes and he feels he has no greater value in who he is or what he can achieve because his penis doesn't look the same or can do the same, then this can lead to a whole range of psychological issues. It can manifest itself as shame and performance anxiety and, in severe cases, depression and stress.
When self-esteem disappears and he feels inferior, the desire for sex and, in the most difficult cases, the ability to have sex may disappear for him. This will only create a further downward spiral, further affecting self-image and sexual functioning. For him, this will need to be managed in order for him to regain successful sexual functioning.
Here Michael also helps you with the psychological impact of the condition.
Peyronie's can be a serious condition that can have significant physical and emotional consequences. In addition to physical symptoms such as curvature and pain during erection, Peyronie's can also affect self-esteem, confidence and sexual function. Men may experience anxiety, stress and reduced sexual satisfaction. It's important to seek help to get a proper diagnosis and treatment options. At MS Insight, we do a thorough assessment and help you with both physical treatment and guidance on the mental front, so you feel comfortable with the situation.
Peyronies can vary in severity, and some mild cases can improve or subside over time without specific treatment. However, it's important to note that Peyronie's doesn't usually go away on its own, and treatment may be necessary to relieve symptoms and prevent further progression. However, we know from the studies that we have the largest open window to make a treatment difference within the first 15 months from the first symptoms.
It is recommended to consult a doctor or specialist to assess the situation and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Peyronie's can in some cases affect the ability to achieve or maintain an erection, which can lead to impotence or erectile dysfunction. The risk of impotence varies and depends on factors such as the severity of the curvature, the presence of pain and any impact on blood flow in the penis. It's important to speak with a doctor to evaluate and discuss treatment options that can improve sexual function.
Can Peyronie's worsen over time? Peyronie's can vary in progression and course. In some people, the condition can worsen over time with increased curvature or the development of additional plaque. In others, the condition may remain stable or even improve over time. It is important to monitor the condition closely and seek treatment if symptoms worsen or affect quality of life. Early intervention and treatment can help minimize the progression of Peyronie's.
Peyronie's can affect sexual intercourse by causing pain or discomfort during erection, as well as difficulty with penetration due to curvature or bending of the penis. This can result in physical and emotional challenges for both the person with Peyronie's and their partner. Communication and openness with one's partner, as well as seeking support and advice from healthcare professionals, can help manage these challenges and maintain a healthy and fulfilling sexual life.
Yes, Peyronie's can cause pain, especially during an erection. The pain can vary in intensity and can be caused by both the physical condition of the penis and the emotional and psychological consequences of having Peyronie's. The pain can have an impact on sexual function, quality of life and emotional well-being. It's important to talk to a doctor about pain relief and treatment options.
