What men need to know about Peyronie’s Disease

Peyronie's disease is a connective tissue disorder in which fibrous scar tissue develops inside the soft tissue of the penis.  This scar tissue leads to curved, and many times painful erections.  Peyronie’s effects 5-10% of all men, and can make having sex or maintaining an erection difficult.  For many men, it is the stress and anxiety associated with Peyronie’s and a change in penile function or aesthetic that puts a damper in their sex life.  For some men, this disorder resolves on its own but for most sufferers it will more likely stay the same or worsen.  Of course, penises come in many shapes and sizes, so a slight curve is not necessarily a cause for concern.  If the bend however is significant, it warrants a doctor’s professional evaluation.

What are the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease?

The symptoms of Peyronie's disease can appear suddenly or develop over time. Here are some common signs to look out for:

• Scar tissue: Scar tissue or plaques can be felt under the skin of the penis. These are typically flat lumps or an area of hard tissue.
• Bend to the penis: Penis can curve upward, downward or to one side.  Typically, this bend is significant in those suffering from Peyronie’s.  Some men may also see narrowing or indentations in the shaft of the penis when it is erect.
• Erectile Dysfunction:  Peyronie's disease might cause problems getting or maintaining an erection
• Shortening of the penis: Your penis might become shorter as a result of tissue scarring.
• Pain: there may be pain associated with having an erection when you suffer from Peyronie’s.  Occasionally this pain can also be present when the penis is not erect.

What causes Peyronie’s disease?

Although there is still much mystery surrounding the disorder, it is thought that Peyronie’s results from repeated trauma to the penis.  This causes scar tissue and plaque to build up inside the connective tissue and lead to the complications of Peyronie’s, like curving of the penis.   “Trauma” to the penis can happen during rigorous sex, a sports injury or some type of blunt force trauma to the penile area.

The buildup of scar tissue in the penis is most noticeable when the penis is erect, as this area does not stretch as the rest of the tissue.  Erection can becomes painful and present with a noticeable bend or curve.

How is Peyronie’s disease treated?

There are both surgical and medical treatments available for Peyronie's disease. Surgical intervention is done to either remove the plaque in the penis, or to remove tissue from the penis opposite the plaque effectively straightening the bend of the penis.

As far as medication is concerned, the first FDA approved drug to treat Peyronies is an injectable drug called Xiaflex.  It works by breaking down the plaque which causes the penile bend. 

Some studies have also shown that vitamin E improves Peyronie's disease. Although these findings are still preliminary, it is thought that vitamin E works by decreasing or inhibiting the formation of scar tissue, similar to the Xiaflex.