Peyronie's disease is the name for a sharp curve in the penis, says FamilyDoctor.org. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) expanded further, saying that Peyronie’s disease is characterized by a plaque, or hard lump, that forms within the penis.
The plaque, a flat plate of scar tissue, develops on the top or bottom of the penis inside a thick membrane called the tunica albuginea, which envelopes the erectile tissues. The plaque begins as inflammation and develops into a hardened scar.
Mayo Clinic explained when men are sexually aroused, increased blood flows into the chambers on both sides of the penis. As they fill with blood, the penis expands, straightens and stiffens into an erection. The tunica albuginea allows the stretch during an erection. Penile injury can damage that tissue.
When an injury heals properly, there are generally no long-term problems. In Peyronie's disease, abnormal wound healing results in permanent scar tissue. The scar tissue portion is no longer flexible and the penis doesn't stretch. The penis bends or becomes disfigured and may be painful. This can prevent men from having sex or cause erection problems.
The cause of Peyronie's disease isn't completely understood. There are several factors that can contribute to abnormal wound healing and scar tissue buildup which may play a role in Peyronie's disease. Mayo Clinic said these include heredity, connective tissue disorders and aging. Smoking and some types of prostate surgery also may be linked. NKUDIC added that some researchers think Peyronie’s disease may be an autoimmune disorder.
FamilyDoctor.org said in some men, Peyronie's disease is a mild problem without symptoms. Others may have scar tissue under the penile skin, erection problems and pain, a significant bend to the penis, and shortening of the penis.
At first, men may not need treatment according to NIH. Some or all of the symptoms may improve over time or at least not get worse.
Mayo Clinic reported that a number of medications have been tried to treat Peyronie's disease, but they don't appear as effective as surgery. In some cases, drugs injected directly into the penis may reduce curvature and pain associated with Peyronie's disease.
If these treatments don’t help and men are unable to have intercourse because of the curvature of the penis, surgery may be performed. NIH warned, however, that surgery may cause impotence.
Mayo Clinic added that surgery usually isn't recommended until the curvature of the penis stops increasing, and erections have been pain-free for at least six months. Common surgical methods include shortening the unaffected side or lengthening the affected side. NKUDIC said a third option is implanting a device that increases penile rigidity.
Sources:
Peyronie's disease. NCBI.NLM.HIH.gov by the National Center for Biotechnology Information and U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web 27 Nov 2011.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002257
Peyronie's disease. Kidney.niddk.nih.gov by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. Web 27 Nov 2011.
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/peyronie
Peyronie's disease. MayoClinic.com by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Web 27 Nov 2011.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peyronies-disease/DS00427
Peyronie's disease. FamilyDoctor.org by the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation. Web 27 Nov 2011.
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/peyronies-disease.html
Reviewed December 20, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith