Peyronie's Disease & The Autoimmune System
Men suffering an autoimmune disease are highly co-morbid to having Peyronie’s disease.
In normal situations the immune system protects the body from infection by identifying and destroying bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances.
But with an autoimmune disease a series of fighter cells attack the good cells. These release proteins called autoantibodies that attack the healthy cells.
As a result, men who have an autoimmune diseases may develop Peyronie’s disease when the immune system attacks cells in the penis. This can lead to inflammation in the penis and can cause scarring and develop into plaque.
There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases, some like type 1 diabetes attack just one organ: the pancreas, while others such as the ones below can affect different parts of the body.
Please take a few minutes to watch this video about Peyronie’s disease and the autoimmune system and continue reading about some of the autoimmune diseases associated with Peyronie’s disease that follows.
Some of the Autoimmune Diseases Associated with Peyronie’s Disease
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)
This can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys and brain and cause permanent tissue damage.
If you have lupus, you may vary between having times of illness and times of wellness. Lupus flares can be mild to serious, and do not follow a pattern.
Sjögren’s Syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome is a rheumatic disease that affects the glands that make moisture. It most often causes dryness in the mouth and eyes but can also affect, joints, tendons, ligaments, bones and muscles. The signs and symptoms of rheumatic diseases can include redness or heat, swelling, pain, loss of function.
Behçet’s Disease
Behçet’s disease can affect different parts of your body and causes inflammation of the blood vessels. If you have the disease, you probably have sores in the mouth or on the genitals. More serious symptoms can include swelling, heat, redness, and pain in the eyes and other parts of the body.
The disease is named after the doctor who first described it, Dr. Hulusi Behçet.
Contact us today by completing the form below if scarring on your penis is causing you problems. If you have any preferences about the next steps you can take please tick one of the boxes on the form. Thank you – we look forward to hearing from you.
Peyronie’s Disease and Autoimmunity – a Real-Life Clinical Study and Comprehensive Review.
