Understanding the Course of Peyronie's Disease
Understanding the Course of Peyronie's Disease
Sexual dysfunction occurring with ED or as a result of functional disability may occur throughout the disease course and is frequently caused by severe penile deformity or psychological effects of PD. Examples of physical interference in sexual function include excessive angulation as a result of penile curvature, pain on erection and/or plaque tenderness. Although arterial disease can be detected in PD patients who have concomitant ED, the major cause of ED seems to be veno-occlusive dysfunction. Psychosocial effects may include performance anxiety and fear of partner rejection. The continued misconception that PD is not associated with ED may contribute to a delay in disease recognition and treatment referral. Patients may present with ED as the primary complaint and be misdiagnosed with ED instead of PD. For example, 48% of patients seeking treatment for penile symptoms reported receiving a diagnosis of ED during their initial physician encounter, compared with only 8% diagnosed with PD. Sexual dysfunction was reported to worsen over the natural course of the disease by 52% of patients. In addition, ED has been reported by 22–54% of men in studies of the natural course of untreated PD and in studies of the prevalence of PD.
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction occurring with ED or as a result of functional disability may occur throughout the disease course and is frequently caused by severe penile deformity or psychological effects of PD. Examples of physical interference in sexual function include excessive angulation as a result of penile curvature, pain on erection and/or plaque tenderness. Although arterial disease can be detected in PD patients who have concomitant ED, the major cause of ED seems to be veno-occlusive dysfunction. Psychosocial effects may include performance anxiety and fear of partner rejection. The continued misconception that PD is not associated with ED may contribute to a delay in disease recognition and treatment referral. Patients may present with ED as the primary complaint and be misdiagnosed with ED instead of PD. For example, 48% of patients seeking treatment for penile symptoms reported receiving a diagnosis of ED during their initial physician encounter, compared with only 8% diagnosed with PD. Sexual dysfunction was reported to worsen over the natural course of the disease by 52% of patients. In addition, ED has been reported by 22–54% of men in studies of the natural course of untreated PD and in studies of the prevalence of PD.