3 tips for living with Peyronie’s disease
Men who have Peyronie’s disease develop a curvature in the penis. This connective tissue disorder is the result of trauma that causes scar tissue to build up. The penis may have a curve, indentations, an hourglass shape, or become shorter.
Peyronie’s disease can be painful. Some men are unable to get or keep an erection (erectile dysfunction). The pain and curvature can make it difficult, or sometimes impossible, to have sex. The condition affects more than your genitals — it can also affect your psyche.
How to Cope With Peyronie’s Disease
A study published in Translation Andrology and Urology found that approximately half of men with Peyronie’s disease experience depression. As many as 8 in 10 men are distressed about their condition.
Peyronie’s disease can be physically and emotionally challenging. These tips can help you cope:
talk openly with your partner
seek help from professional therapists
get outside support
Talk openly with your partner
The inability to be sexually intimate with a partner can strain relationships. More than half of men who participated in the Translation Andrology and Urology study said their relationships suffered as a result of Peyronie’s disease. Men reported feeling less sexually confident, which made them not want to initiate sex. Some men lost interest in sex altogether.
An important step you can take with your partner is sharing how the condition affects you — physically, emotionally, and sexually. Don’t assume your partner knows how you’re feeling. It may be awkward to initiate the conversation, but an earnest talk can strengthen a couple’s bond.
Your partner may also be affected by the condition. A primary cause of Peyronie’s disease is penile trauma. You and your partner were probably unaware when these penile injuries (called micro-injuries) were happening. But now that you have Peyronie’s disease, your partner may feel responsible, or even guilty.
It may be helpful for your partner to accompany you on some appointments with a urologist (doctor treats conditions that affect the urinary tract and reproductive system). This specialist can address concerns the two of you may have about the condition. You may find that you feel less alone when you involve your partner in the management of Peyronie’s disease. Your partner benefits from feeling like the two of you are managing this situation together — which you can be.
Seek help from professional therapists
Several different types of therapists can provide support. Depending on your specific need, you may see:
Mental health counselor: A licensed therapist or psychologist can help you cope with feelings of depression and anxiety. Therapy provides a safe place to share how Peyronie’s disease affects you and your relationships. If you have severe depression or anxiety, you may also see a psychiatrist. This doctor can prescribe antidepressants or other medicines to help improve moods.
Couples counselor: If you’ve been pushing away your partner, there are likely to be feelings of hurt and anger. A lack of intimacy can also drive a wedge in a relationship. A therapist who specializes in couples counseling can give you and your partner the tools to open a thoughtful dialogue about how each of you feels. This counselor can also help you find new ways to strengthen your relationship and rekindle romance.
Sex therapist: A sex therapist is a mental health professional who helps individuals and couples address issues surrounding sexual intimacy and sexual function. This specialist can help you and your partner find new ways to be together sexually and nonsexually. A sex therapist can also offer solutions if you have pain or discomfort during intercourse, or you have erectile dysfunction.
Get outside support
Peyronie’s disease isn’t a topic that most people openly discuss. You might not have known about the disease until you developed symptoms and received a diagnosis. But urologists, other medical professionals, and national organizations are making efforts to raise awareness of this problem that is thought to affect as many as 1 in 10 men.
One of these organizations is the Association of Peyronie’s Disease Advocates. This national nonprofit organization helps men and their loved ones affected by Peyronie’s disease. You can view educational videos, sign up for the organization’s newsletter, and submit questions for urologists to answer.
You may find it helpful to talk to other men with Peyronie’s disease who understand firsthand the fears and frustrations. The Translation Andrology and Urology study found that men with Peyronie’s disease feel stigmatized and isolated. These feelings can make it more difficult to talk about the disease with partners and health professionals.
Online support communities provide opportunities for men with Peyronie’s disease to discuss symptoms, treatments, and concerns. You can ask questions that you might be too embarrassed to bring up to others.
Check out these forums for Peyronie’s disease and/or erectile dysfunction:
From the community: “First off, let me say that I'm still just getting used to not hiding and ignoring my condition. I'm currrentl going back and forth on how open I am willing to go. The quicker we can draw attention to this dreadful disease, the greater all of our chances for help increase. The nature of it makes this very difficult however. You begin to think of how people will view you. I'm a business man in a small town... If I open up, everyone will know me including thousands I don't know…” – Inspire member
Sources
Living with Peyronie’s disease. Association of Peyronie’s Disease Advocates.
Peyronie’s disease: Living with. Cleveland Clinic. August 2020.
Penile curvature (Peyronie's disease). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. August 2019.
Psychological aspects of Peyronie’s disease. Translational Andrology and Urology. June 2016.
My Side – Stan Hardin, President of the Association of Peyronie’s Disease Advocates. Urology Care Foundation. 2013.
Disclaimer
Member comments are lightly edited for length and to remove identifying information but are otherwise reproduced as they appear in the community as part of public posts.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any organization or individual. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
