Peyronie's disease is a connective disorder that affects the penis. Men who have Peyronie's disease develop fibrous scar tissue underneath the skin of the penis. This scar tissue forms a hard deposit (plaque) that pulls on other tissues inside the penis. As a result, the penis bends or curves during an erection (and sometimes when flaccid).

How does the penis function?

Your penis carries urine and sperm from the body through three tubes:

• The urethra is a hollow tube that moves urine from the bladder through the penis when you urinate. Semen also travels through the urethra during ejaculation.

• The corpora cavernosa are two spongy tubes that fill with blood to make the penis hard and cause an erection. A strong fibrous sheath called the tunica albuginea surrounds these tubes. Damage to this sheath can lead to scar tissue buildup and Peyronie's disease.

Why do some men get Peyronie's disease?

A minor injury (or multiple micro-injuries) to the tunica albuginea sheath often causes Peyronie's disease. These injuries may happen during sex, physical activity, or an accident. Approximately 80% of the time, men can’t recall a particular incident that might have caused damage and the resulting curvature. Small, easily dismissed injuries during regular sexual intercourse are the likely cause. Men who develop Peyronie's disease may be more at risk for scar tissue buildup.

When you have Peyronie's disease, scar tissue hardens under the skin of the penis, forming a plaque deposit. Nearly 3 out of 4 times, these plaques form on the top side of the penis. This causes the penis to bend upward during an erection. Plaques can also form on the underside (bottom) of the penis, pulling the penis downward during an erection, or on the side, causing a sideways curvature.

Some men develop multiple plaques on different areas of the penis. This can cause indentations that shrink the thickness of the penis. It may also affect the length of the penis. A scar that goes around the circumference of the penis can narrow the shaft of the penis. This creates an hourglass or bottleneck shape.

How did Peyronie's disease get its name?

Men have been living with Peyronie's disease for centuries. It was first described in the 1740s by Francois de la Peyronie, a French surgeon. The condition now bears his name, pronounced pay-roe-NEEZ.

How common is Peyronie's disease?

Approximately 1 in 100 men receive a diagnosis of Peyronie's disease. However, experts think that number is low because some men don't seek help for the problem or have slight curvatures that don't cause problems. The condition may actually affect closer to 1 in 10 men.

What are the stages of Peyronie's disease?

There are two stages of Peyronie's disease:

• Acute: During this initial phase, a plaque deposit forms in the penis, causing the penis to curve. You may have pain when you get an erection. Erectile dysfunction (an inability to get or maintain an erection) may also occur. This early phase typically lasts 5 to 7 months. Rarely, it may go on for up to 18 months.

• Chronic: The plaque deposit is fully formed and the penis stops curving. You may still have pain during an erection. Erectile dysfunction becomes more of a problem at this stage.

Does Peyronie's disease affect how the penis functions?

Peyronie's disease affects how the penis looks (and even its size). However, the condition doesn't interfere with urination, ejaculation, or sperm count (fertility).

Some men with Peyronie's disease experience pain when they get an erection. This pain may affect their ability to get or maintain an erection and enjoy sex. This problem is known as erectile dysfunction (ED). It's estimated that up to half of men with Peyronie's disease experience erectile dysfunction.

What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Approximately 30 million men in America have erectile dysfunction (sometimes called impotence). It can be a short-term problem, or the problem can last a long time.

Erectile dysfunction affects a lot of men, but it's not a normal part of aging. There are treatments that can help.

You may have erectile dysfunction if you:

• are able to get an erection, but not every time you want to have sex

• lose your erection during intercourse or before you or your partner are satisfied

• can't get an erection

From the community: "I have had Peyronies for approximately several years. I began to have a curve with some pain. The pain went away over time. My penis is curved substantially upward. The curve is such that intercourse is still possible, and my partner seems to still receive pleasure. However, I began to have trouble maintaining an erection. I have lost length, but gained some girth. This all has played some "head games" when it comes to sex. My urologist prescribed Cialis, and that has worked well. He also put me in touch with this site, but offered few immediate treatment alternatives when I saw him initially.

While I am able to have intercourse, I do not experience the pleasure levels of the past. I find that I no longer feel like myself in regards to my body. While I have plenty of desire for sex (think about it all the time in fact), I find that I have decreased sensitivity in my penis. I often cannot reach the point of ejaculation during intercourse and find that I have to "finish up" on my own. Even then it takes more effort. While my partner is very considerate and patient, I feel that I disappoint in not being able to reach climax as in the past.

I wonder if others feel this loss of sensitivity and how they have dealt with it. (My head says one thing, and my penis another...) What are ways to achieve some sort maximum pleasure amidst the Peyronies affliction? Will there ever be any going back to past levels? How do others cope meanwhile?" – Inspire member

How do I know if I have Peyronie's disease?

Most men naturally have a slight bend or curve in their penis. They're born with a congenital curve, which might be barely noticeable. This curve doesn't cause any problems.

If you have Peyronie's disease, the curvature is more noticeable and wasn't always there. Other symptoms of Peyronie's disease include painful erections and erectile dysfunction.

Often, doctors can diagnose Peyronie's disease through a physical exam.

Is Peyronie's disease treatable?

Yes, there is help for men with Peyronie's disease. Treatments for Peyronie's disease include medications, injections, stretching, and sometimes surgery. Some men don't need treatment and sometimes the condition improves without interventions.

Sources

• Peyronie's disease: Current management. American Family Physician. August 1999.

• Peyronie's disease. American Urological Foundation. September 2020.

• Peyronie's disease. Cleveland Clinic. August 2020.

• Peyronie's disease. Mayo Clinic. April 2020.

• Erectile dysfunction. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. July 2017.

• Penile curvature (Peyronie's disease). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. August 2019.

• Factors associated with erectile dysfunction and the Peyronie's disease questionnaire in patients with Peyronie's disease. Urology. September 2017.

Disclaimer

Member comments are lightly edited for length and to remove identifying information but are otherwise reproduced as they appear in the community as part of public posts.

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any organization or individual. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.