Penis Disorders (cont.)
How is Peyronie's disease treated?
There are two ways in which Peyronie's disease can be treated: surgery or non-surgical treatment.
Because the plaque of Peyronie's disease often shrinks or disappears without treatment, most doctors suggest waiting one to two years or longer before attempting to correct it with surgery. In many cases, surgery produces positive results. But because complications can occur, and because many of the problems associated with Peyronie's disease (for example, shortening of the penis) are not corrected by surgery, most doctors prefer to perform surgery only on men with curvatures so severe that sexual intercourse is impossible.
There are two surgical techniques used to treat Peyronie's disease. One method involves the removal of the plaque followed by placement of a patch of skin or artificial material (skin graft). With the second technique, the surgeon removes or pinches the tissue from the side of the penis opposite the plaque, which cancels out the bending effect. The first method can involve partial loss of erectile function, especially rigidity. The second method, known as the Nesbit procedure, causes a shortening of the erect penis.
Penile implants can be used in cases where Peyronie's disease has affected
the man's ability to achieve or maintain an erection.
A non-surgical treatment for Peyronie's disease involves injecting medication directly into the plaque in an attempt to soften the affected tissue, decrease the pain, and correct the curvature of the penis. Vitamin E pills haves also been shown to benefit some men with Peyronie's disease.
Another, less invasive option is laser treatment to thin the plaques of
Peyronie's disease.
What is balanitis?
Balanitis is an inflammation of the head of the penis. A similar condition,
balanoposthitis, refers to inflammation of the head of the penis and the
foreskin. Symptoms of
balanitis include redness or swelling, itching, rash, pain
and a foul-smelling discharge.
Next: What causes balanitis? »
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