The penis bends at a 90-degree angle during an erection. Any deviation from this position is referred to as penile curvature (Peyronie's disease).
Penile curvature can be congenital or acquired due to various reasons. Congenital Peyronie's disease is due to the underdevelopment of one of the two cavernous tissues responsible for erection, leading to curvature towards the underdeveloped side. Acquired penile curvature typically occurs in individuals over 50 years old and is caused by calcification between the cavernous tissue and its surrounding sheath. It is more commonly seen in diabetic patients.
Shock waves used in treating erectile dysfunction (impotence) with Modus ED SWT stimulate the tissues and cells, promoting the formation of new blood vessels and accelerating blood flow in the cavernous tissue of the penis. This helps eliminate the factors causing curvature.
Penile curvature treatments can be divided into Acute Phase and Chronic Phase Peyronie's disease, excluding ED SWT. In the acute phase, drug therapy is used since the plaques causing curvature have not yet fully formed. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial during this phase. If the disease progresses to the chronic stage without early diagnosis, drug therapies become less effective, and surgical interventions may be necessary. However, surgical treatments are not always conclusive and carry risks, such as damaging the penile vascular and nerve structures, which could lead to complete loss of erection. Post-surgery, hormonal treatments are applied to prevent erection that might disrupt the stitches.
In Modus ED SWT treatment, there is no need for any medication or surgical intervention. It can be used safely in all stages of the disease (acute, chronic) without any medication, sedation, or tranquilizers.
Since focused shock waves only affect the targeted area of the penis, there is no risk of damaging the nerves and vessels, unlike in surgical interventions.
Additionally, as no surgical intervention is required, unwanted situations like the bursting of stitches during erection, particularly in individuals who have undergone surgery, do not occur.
In low-intensity shock wave therapy with Modus ED SWT, shock waves applied to an anatomical area cause mechanical stress and micro-trauma. This mechanical stress and micro-trauma trigger a series of biological reactions that lead to increased blood flow and neovascularization of the tissue. As a result, shock waves increase blood flow to the penis and promote the formation of new vessels, thereby addressing the problem of penile curvature.
Patients treated with Modus ED SWT have shown improvement in erectile dysfunction and reduction in pain. The low-energy shock waves applied lead to tissue healing in Peyronie plaques during the acute phase, resulting in plaque reduction. This contributes to an improved quality of erection and sexual life for patients.
The treatment is typically performed in at least 1 or 2 sessions per week. Depending on the age and size of the plaque, 6-24 sessions may be required. Each session lasts 20 minutes. Shock waves are applied to the shaft and crus of the penis.
No medications, sedation, or anesthesia are used before the session. After the session, patients can return to their daily activities.
No preparation such as sedation or tranquilizers is needed before the treatment. There are no side effects such as pain, discomfort, swelling, bruising, burning, or irritation during or after the procedure.
Peyronie's disease, first described by Gigot de La Peyronie in 1743, is a connective tissue disorder characterized by the formation of fibrous plaques in the penis. Although it varies among individuals, symptoms typically include penile curvature, shortening, narrowing, and painful erections due to plaque formation in the penis.
Peyronie's disease is also known as penile curvature. However, not all penile curvatures are Peyronie's disease. Congenital penile curvatures are different from Peyronie's disease. In congenital penile curvatures, also known as Prophet's circumcision, there is no plaque formation or pain, unlike in Peyronie's disease. Therefore, the main difference between congenital penile curvature and Peyronie's disease is painful erections. The first symptom of Peyronie's disease is pain during erection. Normally, the penis is at a ninety-degree angle during an erection. Deviations to the right, left, down, or up indicate penile curvature. In addition to curvature, Peyronie's disease can also cause painful erections, shortening of the penis, formation of palpable hardness in the penis, or erectile dysfunction.
Peyronie's disease is defined in two stages: the initial stage is the acute phase, and the subsequent stage is the chronic phase.
The symptoms of Peyronie's disease vary according to the stages of the disease. The initial stage, known as the acute phase, is characterized by pain in the penis, although this pain is not continuous. During this phase, there is also bending and plaque formation in the penis, leading to palpable hardness. If untreated, the acute phase of Peyronie's disease can last approximately 18 months.
Reduction or disappearance of pain in the penis and persistence of curvature for about 3 months indicate that the disease has progressed to the chronic stage. In the chronic stage, plaques become firmer compared to the acute phase, and other deformities besides curvature may also be observed. The most common deformity in the acute phase of Peyronie's disease is the hourglass deformity. Additionally, in the chronic stage, patients may also experience penile shortening and erectile dysfunction.
Peyronie's disease generally affects men aged 40-70, with higher prevalence in those over 50. Research indicates that approximately 32,000 cases of Peyronie's disease are diagnosed each year, with a prevalence of 0.39%. Another study suggests the prevalence ranges from 0.5% to 13.1%. However, given the low rates of hospital visits for sexual dysfunction worldwide, these figures might actually be higher.
Penile curvature is not solely caused by Peyronie's disease. There are also congenital penile curvatures. There is no complete consensus in the medical community about the causes of Peyronie's disease. However, it is known that many different factors can lead to penile curvature. Some of the factors that may cause Peyronie's disease are listed below:
Congenital penile curvature may occur if there is a developmental delay in one of the three spongy tissues within the penis during fetal development. Congenital penile curvatures are usually not noticed until puberty. Additionally, a condition known as “Hypospadias,” where the urinary opening is located at a different place on the penis, can also gradually lead to penile curvature.
Penile curvature can occur due to various diseases, traumas, or genetic factors. One of the most common causes of penile curvature is trauma that occurs during sexual intercourse. Traumas can lead to blood clots in the penis, which may eventually form plaques within the penis. The formation of these plaques can result in penile curvature over time. Especially in older men, the risk of penile curvature is higher due to the slow healing of penile injuries.
Early diagnosis is crucial in Peyronie's disease. If penile curvature is diagnosed before it fully develops, treatment can be completed much faster and before the curvature becomes noticeable. Therefore, it is essential for men who observe pain or hardness on their penis to consult a specialist urologist without delay. When a patient presents with such complaints, the doctor initially evaluates the patient's medical history and any chronic diseases. Then, a physical examination of the penile area is conducted, along with blood and urine tests. In addition to these tests, the doctor may use ultrasound and MRI to observe the blood vessels and nerves in the penis.
Men may be hesitant to seek medical help for sexual dysfunction due to traditional reasons. However, it should not be forgotten that, like all diseases, early diagnosis makes treatment easier. Additionally, with advancing technology, there are now relatively simple solutions for sexual disorders, such as ESWT Shock Wave Therapy. Therefore, it is crucial for men who experience pain and hardness in their penis to visit a hospital as soon as possible for early diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease.
The treatment of Peyronie's disease depends on the progression of the disease and the symptoms observed in the patient. When deciding on a treatment method, factors such as the quality of erection, presence of pain in the penis, and the patient's psychological condition are considered. Additionally, whether the disease is in the acute or chronic phase also affects the treatment process. In acute Peyronie’s disease, observation alone can be an option, but this method is generally not preferred by patients and doctors. The goal of treatment in Peyronie’s disease is to reduce or eliminate the plaques in the penis. To achieve this, oral, intralesional, or topical treatments are used.
Oral Treatment Methods | Intralesional Treatment Methods | Topical Treatment Methods |
---|---|---|
Procarbazine | Corticosteroids | H-100 Gel |
Vitamin E | Clostridium Collagenase | ESWT Shock Wave Therapy |
Tamoxifen | Interferon | Traction Devices |
Colchicine | Hyaluronic Acid | |
Carnitine Derivatives | ||
PDE5I |
Modus ED ESWT Shock Wave Therapy is widely used due to its lack of side effects and its relatively simple treatment method for many sexual dysfunctions in men. Shock Wave Therapy is a preferred method for conditions like Erectile Dysfunction, prostatitis, and Peyronie's disease, both by doctors and patients.
In Peyronie's disease, especially during the acute phase, Modus ED ESWT therapy aims to eliminate both the plaques and the associated pain in the penis. Shock waves are directed at the area of the penis with plaque. Shock Wave Therapy is conducted in sessions, with each session lasting approximately 15-20 minutes. The number of sessions varies depending on the patient's condition, ranging from 6 to 24 sessions. Due to the absence of side effects, the number of sessions can be adjusted by doctors according to the disease's status. Treatment is generally planned to be 1-2 sessions per week. During the treatment, patients continue their normal daily activities and do not experience any pain during the sessions.