Peyronie’s disease is characterized by plaque formation on the erectile structures of the penis and leads to penile curvature, shorter penis length, and erectile dysfunction. One of the treatment methods for Peyronie’s disease is extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).
You can check out a detailed article about Peyronie’s disease here.
In this article, I discuss the details of shock wave treatment for Peyronie’s disease.
What is Shock Wave Treatment?
ESWT, one of the greatest gifts of technology to medicine, increases blood flow to penis and healing effects. Shock wave(ESWT),which has been applied since the 1980s and is preferred for kidney stone treatments, is now applied in andrology.
Shock waves, which are especially used in treating patients with erectile dysfunction, stimulate new vessel formation and contribute to the elimination of erectile dysfunction. The obstructed or weakened veins are stimulated, and the muscle cells are thus stimulated and regenerated. Thus, this procedure both decreases and improves circulation-related erectile dysfunction.
The most significant problems at the early stage of Peyronie’s disease
- Pain,
- Shorter penis length,
- Erectile dysfunction,
- Increased penile curvature angle.
There is no effective medication for the treatment of the acute phase of Peyronie’s disease. The aim of treatment in this phase is to decrease pain, preserve penis size, and solve the erectile dysfunction problem. Until recent years, there has been no exact solution to these problems. Shock wave treatment offers an effective and permanent solution to these four problems.
- Inflammation in the corpus cavernosum venous structure in the penis causes Peyronie’s disease. Shock wave treatment creates microtrauma around the plaque and leads to a controlled inflammation process. This trauma yields lower inflammation than that which causes Peyronie’s disease. Thus, the progression of inflammation around the plaque is prevented, and the pain due to inflammation is decreased.
- There are two important reasons for penile shortening resulting from Peyronie’s disease:
- Penile shape disorders due to plaque formation
- Penis shortening due to decreased blood flow to the penis
Since plaque formation is limited by shock wave treatment, penis shortening will be prevented, and penis size will be preserved. Again, blood flow to the penis will increase with shock wave treatment, and the penis size will be protected.
- ESWT has been one of the most effective and preferred treatment options for erectile dysfunction in recent years.
- One of the main questions asked by patients and doctors during the acute phase of Peyronie’s disease is the penile curvature angle the disease will cause in the chronic phase. It is not possible to predict the angle, nor is it possible to prevent the curvature that had formed in previous years. However, it is possible to control plaque formation and prevent an increased curvature angle with shock wave treatment.
How much does Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Cost? Does the Treatment Take a Long Time?
The acute phase of Peyronie’s disease lasts approximately 6 months to 1 year. The progression and reasons for this disease are unknown. Therefore, the current treatments focus on protecting the penis from negative effects in the first year. It is important to be patient about the treatment.
The treatment costs will depend on the severity of the disease and the hospital selected for the treatment. Therefore, it is recommended to obtain a quote after an andrological examination.