What are the manifestations of Peyronie’s disease?
- Pain in the penis during erection.
- An abnormal curvature of the penis in any direction, but commonly upwards.
- Difficulty or inability to have intercourse.
- Hourglass or other narrowing deformity of the penis.
- Shortening of the penis.
- Erection difficulties.
- Low self-esteem.
What is Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease is the formation of excess scar tissue in the penis, most commonly in the stucture known as the tunica albuginea. The formation of excess scar tissue most commonly develops into either a plaque or a nodule, but can sometimes be more diffuse.
There is generally little awareness of this condition in the general population. It affects at least 3% of men, most commonly between the ages of 50 and 70, but it can also affect younger men.
What are the causes Peyronie’s disease?
There appears to be a genetic predisposition to this condition.
The excess scar tissue can form after direct trauma to the penis. Examples include trauma during sex, penile injection therapy or any direct trauma to the penis. In some men however it seems to develop for no obvious reason.
The following conditions are known to increase the overall likelihood of having Peyronie’s disease:
- Being overweight.
- High blood pressure or high blood cholesterol levels.
- Pre-diabetes and diabetes.
- Smoking.
What treatments are available for Peyronie’s disease?
- Medication which supports normal tissue-healing.
- Supplementation to support normal tissue-healing.
- Vacuum pumps.
- Penile traction devices.
- Shockwave therapy (SWT)
SWT works by triggering the remodelling of the scar tissue causing the pain in the penis and/or the curvature of the penis. Improvement in the pain may already occur after the first or second treatment session, but it can take up to 12 weeks after the last treatment session for the curvature to improve.
This treatment is very safe, having no side-effects.
Other available treatments
Xiaflex injections (collagenase clostridium histolyticum)
This treatment involves giving injections into the scar tissue causing the curvature. Please note that Xiaflex has now been withdrawn from the Australian market (2019).
Surgery for Peyronie’s disease
Several techniques are available:
- Nesbit plication.
- Scar-tissue plaque incision or excision and grafting.
- Penile prosthesis.
Stem cell therapy
Research is still only in the very early stages.
Shockwave therapy (SWT)
What is the treatment protocol for SWT for Peyronie’s disease?
The current recommended number of treatment sessions is 4 to 6 (depending on the severity of the condition), with a 1-week interval between each session.
Each session (which includes a penile examination prior to each treatment session) lasts about 40 minutes.
Who will deliver the treatment?
Dr Rob King himself does the treatment. This ensures the best possible outcome.
Is the treatment painful?
The different settings for the delivery of shockwaves are adjusted for each individual patient. This ensures the intensity of the treatment is as much as possible below your pain threshold.
What is the cost of SWT for Peyronie’s disease?
The cost for each treatment session is $650.
Please note that this cost does not include the initial assessment consultation, which will determine whether you are likely to benefit from SWT. The Medicare rebate for the initial consultation is maximum $73.95.
Please note that Medicare and private health funds do not cover any of the cost of this treatment.
How do I get started?
All bookings must be made online through this website. You will first need to register, a quick and easy process. All the demographic data you enter will be used to prepare your medical record prior to your first consultation. You can then book your appointment, selecting the ‘New patient appointment‘ option.