Erections can be difficult to develop on demand while in a sexual situation. Paradoxically, erections can be difficult to stop or inhibit at certain times, especially during sleep. All of this is important to Peyronie’s disease treatment since erections during sleep can have an adverse affect on progress of care.
A nocturnal, or nighttime, erection occurs because it is important for the basic health of the deep tissue, known as the corpora cavernosa, of the penis. These deep tissues of the shaft fill with blood and trap it within the corpora cavernosa to create the erect state. If this term, corpora cavernosa, sounds familiar it is because the tunica albuginea is a thin and tough layer of tissue that covers the corpora cavernosa and the tunica albuginea is where the Peyronie’s scar is located. A nocturnal erection can be thought of as type of stretching exercise that takes place during the night when there is little other activity going on, to make sure the penile tissue is stretched and used in this unique way to keep the tissue healthy.
The problem during a nocturnal erection when Peyronie’s disease is present is that restriction and binding of the already-bent erection can be sustained against the penis for a long period of time. Also, it is important to keep in mind that this added pressure poses a risk of additional injury top the man who already has PD. For this reason it is important to be careful with an erection when the penis has no comfortable or safe direction to extend itself. Since it is not possible to stop an erection while asleep, it is smart to not wear tight or limiting underwear or pants while sleeping if you have Peyronie’s disease. It might be even smarter to wear nothing at all while you sleep since this avoids a great potential for binding and restriction.
For the most part, a normally occurring erection th
at can simply “stand on its own” with no pressure against it, is not going to bind or incorrectly stretch out the penile tissue in a way that is detrimental to the penis. Problems occur during a drug-induced (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) or artificial erection, during which an abnormally great amount of blood is drawn into the penis by more soft tissue relaxation than normal. For this reason it is understood that a naturally occurring erection is safer than an artificially created erection.
Drug induced erections can start Peyronie’s disease
Over the years I have communicated with many men whose PD started after a drug induced erection that stressed the penile tissues by greatly increased internal pressure. This process would not be much different than taking a car tire that is meant to go no higher than 40-50 pounds per square inch during normal use, and over-inflating it to 100-150 pounds per square inch. Because it is not built to take that kind of pressure, you could expect some problems to develop in using a tire that way. Not much different with the penis.
Sexual activity is NOT to be avoided if you have Peyronies, but rough, aggressive, hard sex can be dangerous and really injure the already damaged tissue further. Developing and using a natural erection is not to be avoided either in Peyronie’s disease. However, it is important to keep your wits about you and do not go wild during sex. The emphasis should be on an easy, smooth and gentle sexual encounter. Any sexual activity or posture that causes pain should be avoided.
Many important related topics about taking care of yourself, avoiding injury, doing nothing to set your progress back while you are attempting to heal your problem, are covered in my book, “Peyronie’s Disease and Sex.” You will enjoy learning more about what you can and should do to take care of this nasty problem.
