Stressful emotions and Peyronie's disease
Peyronie’s Disease Institute has for many years written about the various emotional issues closely associated with the bent penis disease.
Even though Peyronie’s disease is said by some to occur in 3-9% of all men, surprisingly very little is known regarding the psychological or emotional disruptions to the sexual well-being of those afflicted with this problem. In a 2008 research project, reported in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2008;5:2179-2184, Smith JF, Walsh TJ, Conti SL, Turek P, and Lue T, attempted to determine the source of emotional and relationship problems in Peyronie’s disease. In addition, this study attempted to identify risk factors associated with psychosocial difficulties in men with PD.
Of 245 men in this study, the mean age was 54.4 years, ranging from 19.4 years to 75.6 years; of these men 62% were married, and 59% presented within 2 years of disease onset. The overall prevalence of emotional and relationship problems that were attributable to Peyronie’s disease was 81% of the married men, and 54% of the unmarried men. Among those men who reported to experience relationship problems, emotional problems were noted in 93%.Loss of penile length and inability to have intercourse were strongly identified as the cause of a very high percent of emotional problems reported in this study.
Peyronie’s disease has physical and emotional aspects
Studies like the one mentioned above prove what every couple who deals with Peyronie’s disease knows all too well: living with PD is not easy and it puts a lot of stress on any marriage or relationship.
It is obvious to any Peyronie’s disease couple who must daily deal with the reality of this problem, that Peyronie’s disease can quickly and easily become a source of great mental and emotional stress to both partners. Having Peyronie’s disease should not be seen as a reflection of a man’s self-worth, masculinity, or virility. In all cases of Peyronie’s disease in which a loving couple is involved, improved communication skills make a great difference in how the stress is managed and how the couple survives on a daily basis.
If Peyronie’s disease advances it sometimes causes occasional or permanent erectile dysfunction. This inability to achieve an erection strong enough to allow for penetration is often seen as a sign of diminished masculinity by the man, and diminished sexual desire by the woman. It is most important that every man with Peyronie’s disease takes special effort to reassurance his sexual partner that this limit of sexual function is purely physical and not a refection of reduced interest and desire. Conversely, every woman who is involved with a man with Peyronie’s disease should assure him that his physical limit is not a true or valid reflection of her respect, love, or desire for him.
For additional insight into dealing with the complex emotional issues between loving partners, please review “Peyronie’s Disease and Sex” at Peyronie’s Disease and Sex. Since this topic is so large and complex, referring to the more detailed information of this book would be most helpful to couples who are experiencing sex problems as a result of the Peyronie's curved penis.