Like many diseases that affect a large number of patients, the time it takes for Peyronie’s Disease to develop varies greatly between individual men. It’s one of the reasons why patients should think carefully and consult with their providers to find out what methods to treat the disease would work best.
An Andrologist is a Urologist who specializes in male sexual health, and most agree that Peyronie’s is either acute (or still evolving) or chronic (stable). While the acute phase is commonly considered to be between 3-12 months after the disease arises, studies have shown that this varies between men.
One such study compared men who were seen within six months of Peyronie’s onset and then a year after it began. Results from this study showed that for most, curvature of the penis had worsened over the acute period, with no stabilization of symptoms. This was also true for penis shortening and erectile dysfunction, two symptoms that often occur with Peyronie’s.
Another study compared even longer periods of the disease, between 2 years and 4 years from onset. This study showed that during longer periods of follow-up, some improvements occurred. And a third study that reviewed men who were >10 years out also showed ongoing changes in some men.
When these results are combined, it shows that the majority of men with Peyronie’s will experience relative stability after the first few months. However, small changes will likely continue to occur for many years. Because of these changes, the specific treatments which may be most appropriate will depend on how long it has been since the condition first started. Also, the effectiveness of many treatments will vary considerably, depending on how long you have had the condition.
To learn more about Peyronie’s Disease, visit our website’s thorough section on the condition.
