Many men have likely never heard of Peyronie’s disease, but they might want to brush up on this condition because it causes the penis to curve abnormally during an erection.
Peyronie’s disease typically affects men over 30, and it appears to be caused by the buildup of plaque in the tunica albuginea. The tunica albuginea is the inner lining of the penis, and it helps the penis remain stiff during an erection. Here, experts will explore what Peyronie’s disease is, its causes, symptoms and how it can be treated.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Peyronie’s disease can develop when there is a physical injury to the penis, scar tissue forms, and the hard plaque that can build on scar tissue pulls on the surrounding tissue of the penis and causes a curve, usually when the penis is erect.
In a patient page provided by the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Christopher Gaffney and Dr. James Kashanian, both urologists at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, state that “Peyronie’s disease can cause pain (with or without erections), inability to engage in penetrative sexual intercourse, erectile dysfunction, emotional distress, depression and relationship difficulties. It develops in up to 5% to 10% of men.”
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The Cleveland Clinic uses the analogy of a clock to measure the curve in a penis and help distinguish Peyronie’s disease versus normal curvature. An average penis may have a curve of 5 to 30 degrees. A 5-degree curve looks like when the hands of a clock read 9:13; a 30-degree curve looks like 9:10. Peyronie’s disease may cause your penis to look as though it has an indent or hourglass shape. You may also notice a loss of girth or length in your erection.
The NIH reports that the exact cause of Peyronie’s disease is unknown, although it is suspected that a chronic or acute injury to the penis or an autoimmune disease may be factors.
Your risk of Peyronie’s disease increases if you have the following:
The NIH lists the following symptoms of Peyronie’s disease:
RELATED: Cause of Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease treatment depends on how long you have been having symptoms. The Mayo Clinic describes the acute phase as when you have pain or changes in curvature, length or deformity of the penis. The chronic phase is when the symptoms are stable, and no further changes occur. Peyronie’s disease treatments are based on the level of deformity and severity of symptoms.
Your health care provider may recommend penis traction and medical or injection therapies during the acute phase. In the chronic phase, several treatments are available, including waiting, injections, traction or surgery.
Peyronie’s disease medications that may be prescribed are:
Surgery is usually recommended if the deformity is severe or prevents you from having intercourse. It typically isn’t offered until the curve is stable for three to six months and may consist of the following options:
RELATED: Peyronie’s Disease: How to Start the Conversation with Your Doctor
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