Men suffering from Peyronie's disease often find the condition very difficult to talk about because they find the deformities to the penis embarrassing or they are concerned that the lump may be cancer and are scared to go to their doctor to confirm their fears. The psychological impact of Peyronie's disease can also be significant, making it even harder to talk about. Overcoming all of these issues can be difficult, but having a conversation about your condition with your doctor is the most important step to regaining your confidence and restarting intimacy with your partner.
A Urologist is a specialist that patients often see for Peyronie's disease; however, your internal medicine doctor or family practitioner can also diagnose the condition and offer you treatment options. Your doctor will ask you a series of questions and it is important that you answer them with as many specifics as possible. This will help your doctor to make the correct diagnosis and provide you the best treatment options. Remember that even though this discussion may be difficult to start or embarrassing, your doctor will be familiar with Peyronie's disease and has likely seen many other patients with the same condition. Most importantly, your doctor is there to help.
Your doctor will likely start your visit by asking what has caused you to come see them. If you find it difficult to directly answer this question, it may be more comfortable to start the conversation by making a general statement such as "I am having difficulty with intercourse", "I have noticed some changes in the shape of my penis when I have an erection," or "I am having pain when I have an erection" and allow your doctor to ask you specific questions that you can answer.
Your doctor may take a medical history and perform a physical exam. The physical exam typically consists of the doctor feeling the penis to detect the plaque. In some cases, the doctor may inject a medication into the penis to create an erection so that the severity of the curvature can be evaluated. Your doctor may also perform an ultrasound to help determine the exact location of the plaque and to evaluate the blood flow throughout the penis.
Now that you have made your appointment with the doctor, you want to make sure that you get the most from your visit. Your doctor will likely ask you questions about your health history such as if you have diabetes, if you use tobacco, if you have any history of fibrotic tissue disorders, or if you have any lumps in your hands or on the bottom of your feet. The doctor may also ask you about your ability to have intercourse. Try to be as detailed as possible in your answers. The more detailed answers you can give your doctor, the better they will be able to accurately diagnose your condition and recommend the best treatments to fit your specific case.
Not only is it important to answer all of your doctor's questions, but it is equally important that you discuss all of your concerns and questions with the doctor. You may want to write down your questions in advance so you don't forget them. Click here to visit the Helpful Tools section of our website where you can download tools that you can use during your visit.