Peyronies disease, often referred to as ‘Peyronies syndrome’, is a condition that causes the tunica albuginea (the wall that surrounds the penis) to thicken, making it difficult for the penis to expand. If you have Peyronies disease, you may experience a number of conditions including:
- difficulty getting an erection
- penile pain or stiffness
- chronic pelvic pain
- urinary incontinence
- rapid decline in sexual function
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to consult your personal physician or local urologist. However, if you’re seeking an easy and affordable solution, you may want to consider trying out a penile injection.
What Is A Penile Injection?
A penile injection is a treatment that involves the injection of prostaglandin, a natural substance that promotes growth in some cells and prevents breakdown in others, into the tunica albuginea. This injection is often used to treat Peyronies disease and, in some cases, may be used in combination with sexual stimulation therapy (SST) or vacuum erection therapy (VET).
Peyronies disease is not caused by a virus, bacteria or other infectious agent, but rather by a genetic predisposition. However, it does appear to be an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells within the tunica albuginea.
How Effective Is A Penile Injection For Treating Peyronies Disease?
In some cases, a penile injection for Peyronies disease may be useful for relieving symptoms like pain and stiffness. However, it is not effective for treating all symptoms of the disease as it may not be for treating autoimmune disorders in general. In fact, some men may experience an increase in their symptoms after receiving a penile injection.
One theory as to why this might happen is that, in some people, the injection may ‘reset’ the immune system, causing it to see the tunica albuginea as a foreign body and begin attacking it. In such cases, additional injections may be necessary to maintain improvement in men’s health.
When Should I Try A Penile Injection For Treating Peyronies Disease?
Since Peyronies disease is not curable, there is no fixed or standard ‘treatment era’. However, it tends to be more common in older men. As men age, the cells within the tunica albuginea begin to deteriorate, making it more difficult for the body to produce sufficient amounts of prostaglandin. In addition, the condition may be worsened by certain medications men are taking for other health conditions.
In light of this, it is not recommended that men under the age of 40 try a penile injection for Peyronies disease. Instead, those of that age group should consider other treatments including SST or VET.
What Are The Risks Of A Penile Injection?
As with any type of injection, there are risks associated with a penile injection. The most significant of these risks are infection and hemorrhage. Infection occurs when bacteria or other microorganisms from the digestive system or genitals enter the body through the injection site and grow within the tissues. This may lead to serious health conditions like endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) or epididymitis (infection of the epididymis).
Hemorrhage occurs when the corpus cavernosa (the two fleshy bodies that sit below the penis) become damaged during the injection, causing blood to leak out. This blood may cause the erectile tissue to lose its elasticity and lead to priapism. In some cases, this may be treated with medication or by cauterizing the leaking blood vessels with a heat lamp or water jet. However, if this hemorrhage is severe or prolonged, it may require surgical intervention.
Are There Any Side Effects From A Penile Injection?
Aside from the risks mentioned above, there are several side effects that men might experience after receiving a penile injection. These side effects include:
- headache
- dizziness
- stomach pain
- back pain
- weakness
- incoordination
- sexual dysfunction
- nausea
- vomiting
- heartburn
- diarrhea
- indigestion
- bloating
- puffy face
As you may imagine, not all of these side effects are desirable and, in some cases, men might even experience several of them at the same time. For example, there is evidence that a penile injection for Peyronies disease may increase the body’s natural defense against infection by producing more red blood cells. As a result, men might experience headaches, dizziness and loss of appetite. While this may seem like a desirable effect, it could potentially cause the person receiving the injection to become anemic (faintness and pale complexion).
Since it’s not always easy to determine what’s causing a man’s sexual problems or whether it’s even related to his health, it would be smart to consult a physician before trying any type of treatment. Still, for those who want an easy and affordable solution, a penile injection may be worth considering.