Penile traction therapy (PTT) is a treatment that uses a medical device to gently but persistently correct penile curvature. While it can be used in various circumstances, it’s often used to help men with Peyronie’s disease. If you’re considering this form of treatment, it’s a good idea to know what to expect.
Although different medical devices are used for PTT, they usually work similarly. During this therapy, you would use a mechanical device on your penis to stretch it. These devices usually have two parallel stabilizing rods that run along the shaft of the penis, which are connected to a plastic support ring at the base of the penis and a distal ring below the head of the penis. During treatment, the stabilizing rods can be extended with a spring to stretch the penis.
The gentle but gradual force is meant to correct the curving and shortening that’s caused by Peyronie’s disease. You usually need to use it daily, but the amount of time that you wear it can vary. Some devices require 30 minutes, while others may require three to eight hours. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may also prescribe medication to take while doing PTT.
As you’re undergoing this therapy, your doctor will likely also discuss the schedule of follow-up visits. The duration of treatment can vary, but it can last up to six months, so you’ll need to see the doctor during that time to assess any changes. That’s how they’ll be able to tell if the PTT is working. If it’s not, then they’ll need to discuss the way forward.
RELATED: Peyronie’s Disease: How to Start the Conversation with Your Doctor
While there are different treatment options for Peyronie’s disease, PTT may be used at different stages. That’s because many doctors have found it to be highly effective. According to several clinical papers, PTT is effective for lengthening the penis and reducing abnormal curvature in people with Peyronie’s disease. It’s also more helpful when used in conjunction with certain medications as opposed to using the medication alone. Additionally, using PTT after surgery can lead to better results for the length and curvature of the penis.
Over the years, the number and types of medical devices available have improved, but doctors still regard PTT as an effective non-invasive treatment. When reviewing the papers available on the use of PTT, researchers found that those who used medical devices saw an appreciable improvement in the curvature and length of their penises. There was also a positive effect on erectile function.
It’s also worth noting that PTT worked well at different stages of the disease. That’s why your doctor is likely to recommend it regardless of the severity of your symptoms.
If PTT hasn’t had the desired impact, then your doctor will likely discuss your other options. The list will depend on the type of Peyronie’s disease you’re dealing with. In the acute phase, you may have the formation of scar tissue that worsens the curvature or shortening of your penis. Erections may also be painful. This phase can last from five to 18 months. At this point, your doctor may discuss the use of oral medications, but they have not been found to be as effective as other forms of treatment at this stage. They can also be inconsistent in the results you get when taking them.
The chronic stage comes after the acute one. While your symptoms may have stabilized at this point, your doctor may discuss treatments to prevent the issue from worsening. One course of treatment may include injecting drugs directly into the affected area of the penis. Sometimes, this treatment is combined with prescribed oral medication.
One possibility for injection is interferon, which may disrupt the formation of fibrous tissue. The drug may also break down the existing fibrous tissue that’s causing your pain while easing your pain.
However, the only drug that’s currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease is collagenase clostridium histolyticum. It’s recommended for those who have a moderate to severe penile curvature and lumps under the skin that are obvious to the touch. This drug works by breaking down the collagen that’s accumulated in the scar tissue that causes curvature. Generally, it works best when a medical professional or a device bends your penis in the opposite direction of the curve, but your doctor will advise you. However, this drug is only available through a restricted program as it carries the risk of serious penile injury when used to treat Peyronie’s disease.
Another option is a medical technique known as iontophoresis. In this, a medical professional uses an electric current to deliver medications, including a steroid, through the skin. Thus far, the results have been mixed in terms of improving the penis’s curve and restoring function.
Finally, you may need surgery. Doctors typically don’t recommend surgery unless you have been dealing with Peyronie’s disease for at least nine months. Even then, the curvature in your penis should have been stable for a minimum of three months. You also shouldn’t be feeling pain anymore. At that point, there are a few ways your doctor can proceed.
One way is to suture the unaffected side of your penis. This method is usually used if your curvature is not severe, so restricting the longer side of your penis can help to straighten it out. This can be done in different ways, so it will be up to your doctor to determine which option is best for you.
Another option is to make an incision or excision and add a graft. In this procedure, a surgeon makes one or several cuts in the scar tissue on your penis. Doing this allows the penis to stretch and straighten. Depending on what they find, the surgeon may also remove some of the scar tissue. Afterward, a piece of tissue known as a graft is commonly sewn over the incisions or excisions. The graft may come from your body or be of human or animal origin.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may discuss the use of penile implants. These are devices that are placed within the spongy tissue in the penis that typically fills with blood when you get an erection. It’s common to get an implant inflated with a pump implanted in your scrotum. However, you can also consider a semi-rigid implant that you can bend down most of the time and then move upward when it’s time to have sex. Occasionally, you may need another procedure to improve the curvature of your penis after you’ve gotten the implant.
Various factors can influence which type of surgery your doctor recommends. They’ll have to consider your overall health, likely tolerance for surgery, the severity of your symptoms, and the location of the scar tissue on your penis, among other factors. You will also need to discuss the potential side effects and expected recovery time for each procedure.
All surgical procedures come with some level of risk, and the ones for Peyronie’s disease are no different. A few of the possible risks include losing feeling in your penis, erectile dysfunction, getting an infection, and further shortening of your penis. Although it’s rare, your penis may start to curve again. Regardless of which procedure you choose, it’s important to ask your doctor about the early signs that something is going wrong.
Whether you’re dealing with the acute or chronic types of Peyronie’s disease, your doctor is likely to discuss PTT with you. That’s because the treatment is usually effective for a lot of men dealing with the condition. If it doesn’t make a significant difference for you, though, it’s good to know that there are other options available.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
