Shock wave treatment for Peyronie’s disease is mainly indicated in the initial phase of the condition; it can help relieve pain and attempt to stabilize penile curvature, according to medical assessment. Medical evaluation is essential to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Penile curvature is the main symptom of Peyronie’s disease, an acquired condition over the course of life that can cause concern about the appearance and functionality of the penis.
More severe cases require surgery, but early identification of Peyronie’s disease allows less-invasive approaches to be considered, depending on the medical evaluation — a moment when treatments such as shock waves can be explored.
Next, you will understand when shock wave therapy may be more viable than surgery. Keep reading and find out whether this is the ideal option for your case.
How does shock wave therapy for Peyronie’s disease work?
Shock wave treatment for Peyronie’s disease can help, in some cases, to stabilize penile curvature and improve erection quality.
The technique works like a traction mechanism, applied with the penis flaccid, and can, in some cases, be used with the aim of helping in the management of symptoms associated with Peyronie’s disease, always under medical guidance. Among these symptoms are highlighted:
- Pain during erection;
- Loss of penile length;
- Progression of fibroses inside the penis;
- Erectile dysfunction associated with curvature.
When is shock wave therapy indicated?
Shock wave treatment for penile curvature is indicated only in the initial phase of Peyronie’s disease — also called the inflammatory phase — when the fibrosis is not yet scarred.
However, it is important that a urologist evaluates the condition individually, as indiscriminate use can worsen the curvature.
Read more: Do home treatments for penile curvature work?
Clinical results of shock waves on the penis
According to a systematic review published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2019, which analyzed multiple studies, shock wave treatment can relieve symptoms of Peyronie’s disease.
However, the authors observed that the technique does not promote significant improvement in penile curvature nor in erectile function. Even so, it can be useful in cases of persistent pain, with pain reduction in up to 64 % of patients.
Benefits of shock wave therapy
Shock wave treatment for Peyronie’s disease can be indicated for patients with acquired penile curvature, especially in the initial phase or in cases with significant pain.
Although it is not considered a definitive treatment for penile curvature, it can bring relevant benefits in symptom control, such as:
- Quick and non-invasive procedure, performed in office, without need for hospitalization or anesthesia;
- It can be combined with other treatments, such as medications or surgery;
- Reduction of penile pain during erection, common in the acute phase of the disease;
- Improvement in quality of life, helping the patient to better cope with the emotional impact of the condition.
The side effects reported in studies are mild and transient, such as local pain or bruises, which makes shock wave therapy a considered safe option.
Shock waves vs. other treatment options
Peyronie’s disease can be treated in different ways, with the goal of preserving or recovering penile function.
Clinical treatment is usually indicated for patients who still maintain penile functionality, that is, are able to have erection and penetration, even with the beginning of fibrotic plaque formation.
At this stage, the use of anti-inflammatory medications, penile traction devices and complementary therapies, such as shock wave therapy, can help stabilize disease progression and reduce symptoms such as pain.
These methods, however, do not aim to correct the deformities, but rather to prevent worsening of the condition.
To avoid surgery, the application of collagenase can be a non-invasive treatment option for Peyronie, although it is not available in Brazil and presents limited results in cases of severe curvatures.
Read more: Is there an ointment to treat Peyronie’s disease?
When penile curvature is severe, surgical treatment becomes the most effective approach. Surgery with the Egydio Technique is an option used to correct penile curvature and reconstruct the penis, with the objective of improving function and anatomy, according to each case.
The choice between clinical and surgical treatment must be made by a urologist who monitors the patient from the first signs of the disease, because each case requires an individualized evaluation, considering the characteristics of the fibrosis and the evolution of the symptoms.
Consult with Dr. Paulo Egydio and discover the ideal treatment for your case
The application of shock waves for Peyronie is an alternative that should be carefully evaluated by a urologist, because it is not always effective for all cases.
To understand which approach is most indicated for your condition, consult Dr. Paulo Egydio, an andrologist and urologist with over 25 years of experience in treating penile curvature.
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