Summary of “Improved Peyronie’s Disease Curvature Outcomes Using a Novel Collagenase Administration Protocol” Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum (CCH) can be used on men with Peyronie’s Disease (PD) to improve penile curvature. Since the release of CCH in 2014 studies have consistently shown penile curvature improvements in men with PD in the 14-23˚ range (similar to findings […]

The following is a summary of an article recently published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.  We provide these summaries in the hopes that they will help patients keep up to date on the latest research published on the topics of PD and male infertility.  This particular study’s goal was to define the factors that […]

A commonly asked question we get at the Male Fertility and Peyronie’s Clinic is whether the use of surgical drains in the scrotum during a vasectomy reversal will improve the outcome of the surgery. This article will review what drains are and whether they impact outcomes of vasectomy reversals. What is a Surgical Drain? A […]

Summary of “Lifestyle causes of male infertility” Over the past few decades, there has arguably been a global decline in both sperm quality and quantity, although the true extent of changes remains an issue of ongoing debate among experts. The purpose of this article was to review available evidence regarding effects of men’s lifestyle factors […]

What is Peyronie’s disease? Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder affecting the tunica albuginea and is characterized by penile curvature resulting from fibrosis and plaque deposits.  PD can not only cause physical pain, but it can also cause psychological and psychosexual issues.  PD affects between 0.4 to 20+% of the male population (depending […]

Peyronie’s Disease (PD) is a fibrotic disorder of the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa and is progressive in nature. Consequently, this disorder is linked to a decrease in sexual performance and self-confidence. Currently, treatments include oral medication, surgical reconstruction, and injectable therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare the costs of treatment […]

What is COVID-19? Coronavirus (COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious virus affecting the respiratory system and can be quite deadly.  Since its origin, it has infected hundreds of millions of people around the world.  While the primary mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets, COVID-19 has been found in feces, urine, and semen.  With […]

Peyronie’s Disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder of the penis affecting the tunica albuginea. This disorder can lead to penile deformity and local pain. No one knows what causes PD; however, it is thought that PD could be caused by repetitive microvascular trauma, causing inflammation, excessive collagen deposition, and fibrinogenesis on the tunica albuginea. […]

We wanted to highlight a story we heard this week from the wife of one of our vasectomy reversal patients. This is being shared with their permission (they are so modest that we had to beg for them to let us share it with others).  We found it very inspiring and wished to share it […]

Peyronie’s Disease can be a diagnosis that can be troubling for men to even accept or speak to their physician about but it is important to know the causes of this condition.

***Trost Commentary and Key Take-Home Points*** The current study specifically investigates Peyronie’s Disease in teenagers and compares their condition to that of men >40 years old.  The diagnosis of PD is often confused with congenital penile curvature (CPC) in younger men.  CPC is typically a life-long curvature and is not typically associated with penile plaques.  It also […]

***Trost Commentary and Key Take-Home Points*** The current manuscript examines a modification to a technique that is performed at the time of penile prosthesis placement to achieve greater penile length.  Basically, several years back, a technique was developed known as the ‘sliding’ technique, where the penis was basically nearly amputated, stretched, and placed over a […]

Are vasectomy reversals safe and effective?

In some cases, lifestyle changes can help boost your chance of conception. Here's a look at what that means:

***Trost Commentary and Key Take-Home Points*** The current review article discusses some of the complexities of the process by which Peyronie’s Disease leads to penile fibrosis and scarring. The key take home point is that, to date, there are no good treatments which have been shown to prevent the progression of Peyronie’s Disease scarring. Although […]

***Trost Commentary and Key Take-Home Points*** This summary is of an abstract that was presented at the SMSNA meeting (SMSNA.org) but has not yet been published.  This abstract is excellent though, and it highlights some very important aspects of PD.  Specifically, many (? most) men with PD are concerned about how the condition may affect […]

***Trost Commentary and Key Take-Home Points*** Shockwave therapy is a very hot topic in sexual medicine and is very commonly advertised for Peyronie’s Disease and erectile dysfunction.  However, as of August, 2020, shockwave therapy is not ready for primetime and should not be recommended or used in Peyronie’s Disease.  Although a full description of data behind that comment is […]

***Trost Commentary and Key Take-Home Points*** This was a study that we did of men who we treated for PD while at Mayo Clinic.  We basically asked all men to complete a questionnaire that included a question as to whether or not the condition caused their partner pain.  We then compared differences between men who answered yes or […]

***Trost Commentary and Key Take-Home Points*** This was a summary that Matt, Larry, Giorgio and I worked on to help other physicians better understand the Peyronie’s scientific literature. There are many challenges that come with trying to interpret Peyronie’s studies, and because of this, it is often important to critically evaluate any paper that is […]

***Trost Commentary and Key Take-Home Points*** This manuscript represents a nice review of outcomes of patients who undergo surgery post Xiaflex treatment.  The key finding from the study is that surgery remains a viable option for men who do not experience a sufficient improvement with Xiaflex.  I think it’s important to recognize that the key finding from the study should […]

–Trost Commentary and Key Take-Aways– Shock wave therapy has recently become in vogue as an alternative treatment option for PD.  However, patients need to recognize that there really are no consistent data demonstrating any benefits.  The American Urological Association and the Sexual Medicine Society of North America both have position statements that indicate that shock […]

–Trost Commentary and Key Take-home Points– This current study highlights how common issues such as indentations, hourglass deformities, or other similar findings are among men with Peyronie’s Disease.  These types of deformities can be particularly bothersome for individuals as they may cause buckling, instability, or anxiety for men during penetrative intercourse (i.e. fear of instability […]

—Dr. Trost Commentary and Key Take Home Points— This current study evaluates the use of two different injection treatments for men with early phase Peyronie’s Disease.  This study was performed by an experienced group of researchers in Italy.  This is important to recognize though, as the gold-standard injection treatment (Xiaflex) is more difficult to use […]

The annual meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America concluded on 10/27/2019.  This is the largest and most respected sexual medicine society in North America and includes the greatest authorities on sexual medicine.  There were several abstract that were presented at the meeting that relate to Peyronie’s Disease, and our objective with this […]

—Dr. Trost Commentary and Key Take Home Points —  The current study evaluates the combination of traction therapy and oral treatments for Peyronie’s Disease (pentoxifylline and colchicine).  Dr. Carrier is a well-known Andrologist with significant experience in Peyronie’s Disease (and is a great person as well).  This particular study adds value to the concept of using combination therapies for managing Peyronie’s Disease.  There are a few key […]

—Dr. Trost Commentary and Key Take-home Points— This is a great proof of concept study and goes directly after one of the mechanisms that is thought to contribute to Peyronie’s Disease.  The challenge with a therapy such as this, though, is that often, men are not even aware of the condition until the fibrotic tissue has already […]

—Dr. Trost Commentary and Key Take-home Points—  Although relatively uncommon, penile implant infections represent a challenging and potentially devastating complication of penile prosthesis surgery.  Revision surgery after prior infections can increase the level of difficulty and risk of intra- and post-operative complications.  In the current study, the authors proposed a possible mechanism to reduce the […]

—Dr. Trost Commentary and Key Take-home Points—  The current manuscript evaluates the efficacy of Xiaflex in improving curvature in men with less common deformities, including those with downward curvatures, hourglass deformity, or decreased penile length.  Not surprisingly, results showed that the therapy is indeed able to improve curvature in these conditions as well.  In our own experience, we […]

—Dr. Trost’s Commentary and Key Take-home Points— The current study provides some additional valuable information on conditions associated with Peyronie’s Disease.  Specifically, the authors found that diabetes is clearly correlated with the condition, but other diagnoses, including hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, or metabolic syndrome are not clearly associated.  Although this information is not new, […]

—Dr. Trost Commentary and Key Take-home Points— The best method for objectively evaluating penile curvature and deformity is an office-based assessment following injection of a medication to result in an erection. Other methods of assessment, including patient self assessment, home photography, CT imaging, 3d photography, and app-based assessments all fail to achieve as consistent results […]