What is penile fibrosis?
Penile fibrosis is a pathology that consists in the formation of a scar on the surface of the penis, which ends up causing loss of elasticity of the penis and, as a consequence, Peyronie’s disease.
Although it is more common in men after the age of 50, it can appear at any age, causing pain and in many cases making sexual intercourse impossible. Three phases can be distinguished in the course of the disease:
- Acute fibrosis phase: this is the first to appear, which is characterized by a strong inflammation that causes intense pain and a palpable nodule, as well as a tendency of the penis to curve during erection may appear.
- Subacute fibrosis phase: in the second phase of the disease the inflammation is less intense, and this is when poor healing occurs, leading to fibrosis and is manifested by a marked curvature and deformity of the penis.
- Chronic fibrosis phase: after the acute and subacute phases, which usually last about 18 months, the pain disappears but the curvature becomes chronic.
Prognosis of the disease
The penis is made up of various tissues such as muscles and fascia involved in erection. When fibrosis occurs in these tissues, it represents pain and discomfort in the penis, in addition to its curvature or deformation, which may make sexual intercourse impossible or cause erectile dysfunction.
It is not a life-threatening or emergency condition, but it significantly affects the patient’s quality of life.
Symptoms of penile fibrosis
The main symptoms of penile fibrosis are:
- Pain during erection
- Curvature or deformity in the penis
- Loss of elasticity and stiffness
- Nodule or fibrous area
- Erectile dysfunction
Penile fibrosis causes pain during intercourse and erectile dysfunction.
Tests for penile fibrosis
To reach the diagnosis of penile fibrosis or Peyronie’s disease, observation and palpation of the penis by the andrologist specialist will be necessary. In this exploration, the inflammation, the fibrous tissue and the curvature and length of the penis will be evaluated.
In the event that the medical history and the observation in consultation do not provide conclusive results, diagnostic imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or radiography may be required.
Causes of penile fibrosis
Although it is related to Peyronie’s disease, the exact cause of this disease is unknown, so a specific etiology of the fibrosis is not known. In some cases, Peyronie’s disease may be related to a disturbance in the male immune system, as well as cases of traumatic fibrosis of the penis, which may result from an injury that occurs when the penis is erect.
Some risk factors for penile fibrosis have also been identified, such as infections, vascular problems, genetic predisposition, reaction to certain drugs, diabetes and hypertension.
Can it be prevented?
Prevention of fibrosis is not common, as the specific cause that leads to its development is not known.
Treatment for penile fibrosis
In an initial phase, the treatment for this pathology is pharmacological. To achieve the desired result it is essential that pharmacological treatment is carried out during the acute and subacute phase. However, if the disease progresses to the chronic phase and penile curvature continues, surgical intervention may be necessary to avoid future complications.
There are different surgical approaches to penile fibrosis depending on each case, such as straightening the penis without removing the fibrous plaque, as well as the removal of such tissue or even a more invasive intervention with penile implant, for cases in which the curvature has affected the ability to have erections.
Which specialist treats it?
The specialist indicated for the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies of the male reproductive system is the andrologist. It is essential for the patient to see a specialist as soon as possible when symptoms such as inflammation or curvature of the penis appear, because in many cases the patient underestimates this pathology until it becomes chronic and affects his quality of life.