Penile curvature - Peyronie's disease

What Peyronie's disease is

It is a condition involving fibrosis of the tunica of the corpora cavernosa of the penis - hard plaques form within it that cause pain and curvature during an erection. The name comes from François de la Peyronie, who described it in 1743.

The causes are not fully understood; suggested factors include repeated microtrauma of the penis, infections, atherosclerotic changes and the coexistence of chronic conditions (diabetes, gout, rheumatoid arthritis). It is most often diagnosed in men between 55 and 60 years of age.

How the disease progresses

• Active (inflammatory) phase - pain during an erection predominates, and the curvature may still change.
• Stable (chronic) phase - the inflammation subsides, a fibrous plaque becomes fixed in the tunica and the curvature stops changing; in some patients the plaque calcifies.

The diagnosis is based on the medical history, physical examination and penile ultrasound. If a problem with erections appears alongside the curvature, I describe it on the page on erectile dysfunction.

Shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT)

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT, commonly called ESWT) is used in Peyronie's disease primarily to relieve pain in the active phase of the disease; it also has a beneficial effect on the mechanisms responsible for erection. According to the current EAU and AUA guidelines, the wave alone should not be expected to reduce the curvature or the size of the plaque - which is why I combine it with other methods and discuss beforehand what can realistically be expected.

The procedure is non-invasive, requires no anaesthesia and lets you return to daily activities straight away. I select the intensity and number of sessions individually.

Other methods

In the active phase, traction therapy (penile stretching) can be used - in some patients it helps to reduce the curvature and preserve penile length; it requires consistency over many weeks. For a fixed, significant curvature that hinders intercourse, surgical treatment - reconstructive penile surgery - is considered. I discuss the indications individually during the consultation.

Peyronie's disease treatment price in Kraków

Shockwave (LI-ESWT) treatment for Peyronie's disease costs PLN 2,500 for the full course of 4 sessions - one session per week.

• Qualification consultation - PLN 350, ultrasound included in the visit when needed
• A course of 4 LI-ESWT shockwave sessions - PLN 2,500
• Surgical correction of the curvature is priced individually after the consultation
• Payment by cash, card, BLIK or bank transfer · invoice on request
• Private visits, not covered by the Polish NFZ

The full list is on the pricing page.

Where I treat Peyronie's disease in Kraków

Shockwave sessions take place at Andromeda Centrum Medyczne on ul. Mogilska 69A in Kraków - the Grzegórzki district, 31-545 Kraków. They are done on site, as outpatient sessions; they require neither a hospital stay nor general anaesthesia.