Peyronie's disease is a chronic, benign condition in which hard, painful plaques develop in the fibrous sheath surrounding the erectile tissue of the penis. These plaques may cause the penis to curve upward, downward, or to one side. In some cases, the condition is also associated with erectile dysfunction.
The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is not fully understood. The most likely, although not the only, explanation is repeated microscopic injury to the blood vessels of the penile tissue during sexual intercourse, leading to scar formation in the fibrous sheath surrounding the erectile bodies.
Risk factors include vitamin E deficiency, diabetes, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. Penile trauma or medical procedures involving the urethra may also contribute to the development of the disease.
Fibrotic plaques most commonly develop on the upper side of the penis but may occur elsewhere. In addition to the formation of scar tissue and the resulting curvature of the penis during erection, the condition may cause mild to moderate pain during sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction is also a relatively common accompanying symptom.
Peyronie's disease develops gradually. During the initial inflammatory phase, erections and sexual intercourse are often painful. Once the fibrotic plaques have fully formed, the pain usually subsides, while penile curvature and erectile dysfunction may persist.
You should consult a physician whenever you notice any changes affecting your penis, erections, or ejaculation. Hard lumps within the penile tissue or an unusual curvature during erection should always be assessed by an andrologist, even if they are not painful. Many urological and andrological conditions, including serious diseases, may present with similar symptoms.
Regular preventive examinations are therefore recommended even for healthy men. Preventive urological and andrological check-ups are non-invasive, painless, and covered by public health insurance.
During the consultation, your physician will ask about the duration of your symptoms, the degree of pain, any previous penile injuries or procedures, family history of similar conditions, and the impact of the disease on your sexual life.
It is helpful to document the degree of penile curvature during erection with a photograph, which can be shown to your physician during the consultation.
The examination also includes a physical assessment and an ultrasound scan of the penis to evaluate the extent of fibrotic plaques.
Treatment depends on the stage and severity of the disease. Medications aimed at reducing or breaking down the fibrotic plaques may be administered orally or injected directly into the plaque. Another non-invasive treatment option is extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
If conservative treatment is unsuccessful and the condition continues to significantly affect the patient's quality of life, surgical correction may be recommended to straighten the penis and correct the deformity.
