Can the P-Shot, also commonly known as the Priapus Shot®, help in the treatment of men who suffer from Peyronie's disease? As discussed in our previous blog post, the P-Shot has received a lot of media attention recently as a first line of treatment for some men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). In addition to treating ED, some urologists are also now utilizing the P-Shot as a part of their treatment regimens for Peyronie's disease and the results that are being documented so far from these treatment procedures have been extremely encouraging. Named after the Greek god of fertility, Priapus, the P-Shot is actually a nonsurgical procedure that utilizes the commonly occurring growth factors that men already have in their own bodies to naturally stimulate penis tissue rejuvenation and growth. Now the Priapus Shot® is also being utilized clinically by urologists in the United States to help men who suffer from Peyronie's disease.
Facts About Peyronie's Disease
Peyronie's disease is a very common penile condition in men that can interfere with the afflicted man's sexual life and activity. Basically, Peyronie's disease is the medical term used to describe the situation where a patient's penis is abnormally bent or curved to the point where significant pain is seen during an erection and interferes with the man's sexual activity. Although many men have some curvature present when experiencing an erection, as penises obviously vary in size and their shape, in Peyronie's disease the significant curvature exhibited may cause a significant amount of pain and result in interference with having normal sexual intercourse. The disease is therefore also commonly linked and associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) by many urologists and urological experts when discussing the causes and treatments of ED.
It's estimated that approximately 10% of all men in the USA suffer from this condition, and although it can affect men of any age, the incidence of occurrence significantly increases with a man's age. More than 200,000 new cases are diagnosed every year nationwide, although the actual cause of Peyronie's disease is not really well documented or thoroughly understood. Most experts agree that it is most likely caused by previous damage or an injury to a man's penis through physical activity or sexual intercourse. Fibrous scar tissue within the penis forms in the tunica albuginea (the thick sheath of tissue surrounding the corpora cavernosa) resulting in the pronounced abnormal curvature, erectile dysfunction and severe pain experienced during sexual intercourse. Additionally, the patient may exhibit such symptoms such as penile shortening, reduction of penis girth and severe indentation. Typical symptoms that the patient may experience include:
- a bent or curved penis
- difficulty for a man when having sex because of a a bent or curved penis
- actual physical lumps in the penis
- painful and/or soft erections
Traditional Treatments of Peyronie's Disease
Treatment of Peyronie's disease is considered to be essential for some patients because an estimated 75% of all men who suffer from it are stressed and depressed as a result of having it. Treatments include medication, penile traction devices, physical therapy, surgery and counseling. Below is a brief description of the most commonly used therapies.
Xiaflex Treatment - This injectable medication is actually an enzyme that has been proven to "dismantle" the collagen buildup in a man's penis that is associated with Peyronie's disease. It is a prescription medication and is prescribed to adult males who have significant "plaque" present that can actually be felt, plus a curve of greater than thirty degrees in their penis.
Penie Stretching Devices - Phallosan Forte is one example in a class of devices called penis extenders or penile traction devices. Their use in Peyronie's disease is based on the concept that stretching a patient's penis by using tension may result in reducing the penile curvature. Phallosan for example is a stretching device that combines both traction and vacuum technology. By utilizing prolonged stretching to help straighten the penile curvature, such penile stretching devices can also help with erection quality and erectile dysfunction, both common among Peyronie's patients.
Penile Implants - Although not actually a curative treatment, Penile implants are a surgical procedure where a medical device called a penile prosthesis (or implant) is surgically implanted within a patient's penis. This procedure is an option when the less invasive treatments for ED (such as oral drugs or vacuum erection devices) prove to be unsuccessful or are contraindicated in a patient. There are two types of penile implant devices: non-inflatable (semirigid) devices and inflatable (hydraulic) devices.
What Is the P-Shot or the Priapus Shot®?
Also commonly referred to as the P-Shot, the Priapus Shot uses what is known as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. The treatment has been shown in some cases to result in a very dramatic improvement in both the shape and functionality of the patient's penis. In certain individuals there has been a "dramatic" correction to the bend in the penis.
Basically, the procedure involves taking a patient's own blood and then concentrating the natural "healing factors" found in the blood (such as stem cells and growth factors). After being separated from the red and white blood cells using a specialized centrifuge, the concentrated "healing factors" are then re-injected into the patient's penile area. The entire procedure can be accomplished in less than twenty minutes at the physician's office and is not considered to be a surgical procedure.
What Is the P-Shot or Priapus Shot® Protocol For Treating Peyronie's Disease?
When using the P-Shot in the treatment of patients with Peyronie's disease, many urologists that are experts in the field also include some or all of the following to their treatment protocols:
- Nutritional Support and Vitamin Supplements - In almost all cases, patients are encouraged to eat properly and include certain vitamin supplements as a part of their diet. Commonly seen are the inclusion of CoQ10 (300mg/day), Vitamin E (1,200 units/day), Vitamin C (3,000mg/day), plus a B-Complex vitamin.
- Hormones - Since low testosterone is often associated with Peyronie's disease, a hormonal addition to the treatment protocol is often seen. These may include hormones such as testosterone and DHEA.
- Exercise - Many urologists include simply walking an average of about 20 miles a week to their P-Shot protocol. Exercise helps with improving a patient's circulation and additionally helps with inflammation. This has been documented to improved erection quality, plus makes all the other therapies work better.
- Penis Pump - The use twice daily of an Erectile Dysfunction Vacuum (commonly called the "Penis Pump") works effectively for many men as part of the P-Shot protocol in the treatment of Peyronie's.
- STOP SMOKING! - Smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction, plus decreases the effectiveness of the Priapus Shot® procedure.
- Cialis - Many add a daily dose of Cialis to the treatment protocol. If there's no additional erectile dysfunction present, then 2.5mg/day in the morning is commonly seen. If erectile dysfunction is present, then the dose is commonly 5mg/day in the morning.
The Priapus Shot® Provider Group
Only members of what's known as the Priapus Shot® Provider Group are considered to be properly trained in the P-Shot procedure and therefore have the proper understanding of the methodology and follow the standards which include the use of laboratory equipment approved by the FDA for the preparation of platelets to go back into a patient's body and the use of very specific methods. Others may be doing a similar process, or they may be doing an inferior process, but only those physicians listed in the Priapus Shot® Provider Group are licensed to use the procedure. Anyone else using the name is possibly doing an inferior or even dangerous procedure. At best, they are illegally claiming to be in a group to which they do not belong.
Questions about the P-Shot or Priapus Shot®? Contact Philadelphia Urology Associates For Answers
At Philadelphia Urology Associates, Dr. Bruce Sloane is a nationally renowned specialist in Men's Health issues and Age Management Medicine. Throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, patients seek his expertise to treat erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease and other sexual performance issues. Using state-of-the-art equipment and having extensive specialized education and training, Dr. Sloane will find the treatments and solutions that will work for you. Additionally, Dr. Sloane is well experienced in the use of the P-Shot and other available therapies and is considered perhaps the leading authority in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas with extensive experience using all the treatments that are available for his patients having Peyronie's disease. Dr. Sloane uses an educational approach with his patients, thus treating each as a unique individual and providing them with the best possible treatment options for their specific individual needs.
If you have any questions about the P-Shot or Priapus Shot® treatment (or any other treatments available for Peyronie's disease), we urge you to contact us now online or call us at (215) 563-1199 today to discuss how we can help you!
