Lapeyronie's disease
Peyronie's Disease: Understanding and Treating Effectively
What is Peyronie's disease?
Peyronie’s disease corresponds to the formation of localized fibrosis (plaque) at the level of the tunica albuginea, the membrane that surrounds the corpora cavernosa of the penis.
This fibrosis causes deformation and curvature of the erect penis , sometimes accompanied by pain and decreased rigidity.
Although benign, this condition can have a major impact on sexuality and self-confidence .
Natural course of the disease
It usually evolves in two phases :
Acute, inflammatory phase (not systematically observed) : pain during erection, appearance and possible worsening of deformity and curvature.
Stable, chronic phase : disappearance of pain, but persistence of the deformity.
Without appropriate treatment, the disease most often stabilizes with a permanent curvature , sometimes causing discomfort during intercourse.
The initial treatment aims to stabilize, soften and straighten the penis in order to limit the need for surgery.
Conservative treatment: a biological and mechanical approach
Conservative treatment refers to all non-surgical solutions offered to treat Peyronie’s disease. The objective is twofold: to halt the progression of the disease (inflammatory phase) and to attempt to reverse the curvature without resorting to surgery. This modern approach relies on a powerful synergy: the biological action of PRP combined with the mechanical action of traction .
1. PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections
PRP is an innovative technique derived from regenerative medicine. It uses your body’s own natural healing abilities to repair damaged tissue.
How does it work? The procedure is simple and takes place in the doctor’s office: after a standard blood test, the blood is centrifuged to isolate the ultra-concentrated platelet plasma. This concentrate is then reinjected directly into the area of the Peyronie’s plaque.
The growth factors contained in PRP stimulate:
✅ Stimulate cell regeneration and the appearance of new blood vessels (neo-vascularization).
✅ Promote the gradual resorption of fibrosis (the rigid scar).
✅ Restore the elasticity of erectile tissues to allow for better penis extension.
The advantages of PRP: It is a 100% natural and autologous treatment (derived from your own body), which eliminates any risk of rejection or allergy. The standard protocol generally requires several spaced-out sessions to achieve optimal results.
Focus on a new injectable treatment: PEROVIAL (Hyaluronic Acid)
PEROVIAL (IBSA Laboratory) represents a new non-surgical therapeutic option in the management of Peyronie’s disease. This is an injectable solution based on hyaluronic acid , a molecule naturally present in the body, known for its hydrating and viscoelastic properties.
How does it work? PEROVIAL is administered directly into the heart of the fibrous plaque (intralesional injection). Its action is twofold:
Tissue restructuring: Hyaluronic acid will infiltrate the fibrositis to hydrate it deeply. This helps to space out the inflammatory cells and reduce the density of the plaque.
Softening: By recreating a more flexible physiological environment, the injection aims to reduce the rigidity of the pathological area, thus relieving pain in the active phase.
To maximize results, it is often recommended to combine these injections with mechanical therapy. The injection “prepares” the tissue by softening it, making stretching exercises more effective in correcting the curvature.
2. Mechanical traction (vacuum or penile traction device)
Why stretch fabrics?
Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the formation of a fibrous, inelastic plaque which, by contracting, leads to curvature and loss of length of the penis.
The principle of conservative treatment is to counteract this retraction . By applying a controlled mechanical force to the tissues, we stimulate the natural ability of cells to regenerate and reorganize themselves. The goal is therefore to transform a mechanical stimulus (stretching) into a biological healing response.
Penile extender devices (traction) or the Vacuum (vacuum pump) allow for gentle, progressive and daily stretching of the penis.
Unlike surgery, which acts in a single procedure, this technique relies on consistency. Continuous stretching will:
To soften the fibrotic plaque (the internal scar).
Stimulate the remodeling of healthy tissues.
Actively fight against the natural retraction of the disease.
The key to success with traction therapy is perseverance . The results are not immediate, but take place over several months. It is a fundamental treatment that requires discipline, but is essential to prepare the tissues and optimize the result, whether to avoid surgery or to prepare for it.
Expected results and benefits of conservative treatment
The combination of injection and mechanical traction is currently the first-line approach in Peyronie’s disease.
When started early and followed regularly, it yields very encouraging results :
Improvement of curvature in 70 to 80% of cases (often a 30-50% reduction in the deflection angle)
Preservation of penis length and symmetry
Improvement of erectile function
Improved comfort during sexual intercourse
Reduction or disappearance of pain in the inflammatory phase
Better overall satisfaction during intercourse
💡 Thanks to this therapeutic strategy, the vast majority of patients avoid surgery and regain a much more satisfying sex life.
The surgical option
Although often reserved for cases where medical treatment has failed, surgery may be considered from the outset if the deformity is severe or if the patient desires it. The goal is to correct the curvature using appropriate techniques. However, it is essential to carefully assess the benefit-risk balance (penile shortening, risk of erectile dysfunction) before proceeding.
Do you suspect Peyronie's disease?
Requirements
Expertise
Peyronie's disease
Dr. Benarroche offers dedicated care for Peyronie’s disease, aiming to correct penile deformities and restore satisfactory sexual function through appropriate treatments.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
When should treatment begin?
Ideally, you should consult a doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear (pain during erection, perception of a lump or induration, beginning of curvature).
Early intervention during the active (inflammatory) phase of the disease helps to relieve pain and implement solutions (mechanical therapy, drug treatments) to try to limit the worsening of the deformity. It is not necessary to wait until the disease is stabilized to consult a doctor, quite the contrary.
Does the treatment allow the penis to return to "its previous state"?
The goal of treatment is to restore a functional penis that allows for satisfying and pain-free sexual intercourse. While the results are often very satisfactory, it is rare to recover a penis that is exactly the same as it was before the illness (perfect straightness or initial length).
Is there a treatment to regain length?
Peyronie’s disease often causes penile retraction (loss of length). To counteract this effect, a combined approach is often recommended:
Mechanical therapy that allows for the application of progressive tension to stretch tissues.
PRP injections: injected directly into the penis, they promote tissue regeneration and vascularization, thus improving tissue elasticity.
The benefit of combining PRP: PRP helps to soften tissues and make them more elastic. When combined with stretching exercises (vacuum/extensor), it facilitates length recovery and optimizes results compared to traction alone.
What is the duration of conservative treatment?
Average duration: Conservative treatments (extender, injections, medications) often need to be continued for at least 6 months or even 1 year to be effective.
Regularity is key: For mechanical therapy (extensor/vacuum), results depend directly on daily attendance (several hours per day) over the long term.
Is surgery risky?
As with any surgical procedure, there is no such thing as “zero risk,” even though techniques are now standardized and well-controlled. Beyond general risks (infection, hematoma), there are specific side effects that must be discussed before making a decision:
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Penile shortening: This is the most frequent consequence. Most straightening techniques (especially plication) involve shortening the healthy side to correct the curvature.
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Erectile dysfunction: There is a risk of developing or worsening erectile dysfunction. This risk is higher with grafting techniques (plaque incision) than with simple plication techniques.
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Sensory disturbances: A loss of sensation or numbness in the glans may occur. Fortunately, this is usually temporary , and sensitivity gradually returns.
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Perception of sutures: It is sometimes possible to feel small nodules (the knots of the threads) under the skin of the penis.
The expertise of Dr. Davy Benarroche
Dr. Davy Benarroche, urological and andrological surgeon , he is trained in
all medical, regenerative and surgical treatment techniques
of Peyronie’s disease.
He always favors a progressive, conservative and personalized approach.
Experience
Academic background
Dr. Benarroche offers a male-focused approach to care, combining medical and surgical approaches, adapted to the needs of each patient.