PENIS PROBLEMS

Peyronie’s Disease

Penis ProblemsPeyronie’s disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the tunica albuginia, which is a thick fibrous tissue that surrounds the paired smooth muscle erectile bodies in the penis called the corpora cavernosa. The condition was first described by the French surgeon, Francois Peyronie in 1743. Peyronie’s disease is a common condition that usually affects men between the ages of 40 to 60, but it can occur at any age.

Penile Cancer

Penile cancer is rare in the United States. The prevalence is 0.2/100,000. In the US, African American males are affected twice as often as Caucasian males. Penile cancer is rare before age forty. The peak incidence is age seventy-five. Circumcision protects against the development of penile cancer. Under certain circumstances, several types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) and two skin conditions called lichen sclerosis and leukoplakia may increase the risk of developing penile cancer.

Erectile Dysfunction

It is not surprising that so many men feel anxious about seeing a urologist for help with the problem of erectile dysfunction. No one wants to discuss a sensitive personal matter with a stranger. But as uncomfortable as this may be at first, the risk of discomfort is well worth the reward of a more satisfying relationship with your partner. When you meet the professional and highly trained surgeons and staff at Advanced Urology Institute, they will put those anxieties and concerns to rest by making your health and comfort their highest priority. One of the ways they do this is by listening and providing you with the answers to any questions that might be weighing heavily on your mind.

Peyronie’s Disease

Although the cause of Peyronie’s disease is usually unknown, trauma to the penis can cause Peyronie’s disease. During intercourse, if the penis misses the target and ‘snaps’ against the partner’s pelvic bone during pelvic thrusting, the tunica albuginia can be torn. If the tunica albuginia is disrupted, the body heals the area by layering dense scar tissue over the torn area. Scar tissue is inflexible. Consequently when an erection occurs, the scarred portion of the penis doesn’t expand like the rest of the penis. Accordingly, the penis bends in the direction of the scar tissue since the rigid scar tissue prevents symmetrical expansion of the penis. The degree and direction of curvature is a function of the size, location, and density of the scar tissue.

Erectile Dysfunction

The most common question patients have is regarding the cause of erectile dysfunction. This is often the first thing they want to know. However, impotence is not usually the result of a single cause. It is important that patients feel comfortable talking openly with the urologist about their condition so that the underlying cause of the impotence can be uncovered. This is where finding a solution begins, and how the treatment approach is determined.

Some of the causes of impotence include high blood pressure, pelvic injury, low testosterone levels, prostatectomy, and diabetes. Erections depend on the system of nerves and blood vessels found within the penis. Any damage or condition involving this system can result in erectile dysfunction.

Psychological Sources of Impotence

It is normal, and often wise, for a man suffering from impotence to be concerned about his health. However, with the additional guilt and relationship tensions he experiences, the worrying may only serve to make things worse. This is because erectile dysfunction does not always have a medical condition as its source. Instead, the problem can be a result of fatigue, stress, and tension, or more serious psychological issues such as depression. Many cases of impotence can be easily resolved with rest or stress reliving activities. However, lengthy cases may require the assistance of a professional for recovery.

Impotence Due to Physical Conditions

Impotence could be an indicator of a more serious underlying medical condition that threatens the man’s well being. In some instances, the occurrence of erectile dysfunction allowed patients to be diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses early enough to treat them. Major illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease, conditions of the nervous system, vascular disease, and prostate cancer can all be the cause of impotence. When the cause of impotence is a serious medical condition, ed treatments are not limited to addressing the impotence, but also the disease it helped to diagnose.

There is usually no need to visit a hospital to treat erectile dysfunction, as many of the procedures can be performed in the urologist’s office or clinic. Although the thought of seeking medical help for impotence can be intimidating at first, the staff and doctors at Advanced Urology Institute are experts in compassionate care and making patients feel comfortable talking about their condition so that they can receive the best medical treatment available.