Topic Overview
What is Peyronie's disease?
Peyronie's disease is
an abnormal curvature of the penis caused by scar tissue in the erectile
tissue. Because the scar tissue prevents straightening of the penis, the
curvature is most obvious during an erection. The curvature may be so severe
that it prevents penetration during intercourse.
Peyronie's
disease occurs over a wide range of ages, with some men as young as 18.
What causes Peyronie's disease?
Although the exact
cause of Peyronie's disease is unknown, some experts believe the scarring is
caused by injury to the penis (such as bending or hitting).
Peyronie's disease is not caused by cancer and does not increase the risk
of cancer. It is not caused by
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Peyronie's
disease may develop slowly or suddenly. Common symptoms include:
- A lump or thickening along the shaft of the
penis that is most noticeable when the penis is soft (flaccid).
- A
bent or curved appearance of the penis that is most noticeable when the penis
is erect.
- A painful erection. Some men do not have pain with an
erection but have tenderness when the lump along the side of the penis is
touched.
- An inability to maintain an erection.
- An
inability to achieve penetration during intercourse.
What are the stages of Peyronie's disease?
Peyronie's disease is usually divided into two stages:
- The active phase. The most common symptoms of
this phase are painful erections and a change in the curvature of the penis.
- The secondary phase. Stable curvature may be the only symptom of
this phase. Pain, if present during the active phase, usually gets better or
goes away completely.
How is Peyronie's disease diagnosed?
Peyronie's
disease is usually diagnosed using a medical history and physical examination.
Your doctor will ask you questions about when you first noticed your symptoms
and whether the symptoms were gradual or sudden. This will help determine which
stage of Peyronie's disease you are experiencing.
Because symptoms
of Peyronie's disease are usually most noticeable when the penis is erect, your
doctor may ask you to take a photograph of your penis while it is erect. Other
tests that may be ordered include:
- An
X-ray, to produce a picture of the structures within
the penis.
- Doppler flow studies, which use sound
waves to monitor blood flow patterns. It is important for your doctor to
determine whether blood flow to the end of your penis is interrupted or
decreased during erection.
How is it treated?
Treatment usually is not
necessary unless Peyronie's disease causes pain or interferes with sexual
function. Peyronie's disease goes away without treatment in some cases.
Most men are able to remain sexually active. Counseling can help couples
maintain an active sexual life.
Although there is no standard
treatment for Peyronie's disease, medicines (such as verapamil, potassium
aminobenzoate, colchicine, or injected steroids) and vitamin E may help treat
pain and improve sexual function. But the use of medicines has shown only
limited success, and none are well studied for the treatment of Peyronie's
disease.1
Surgery is considered for men
who have severe pain, a severely curved penis, or sexual dysfunction related to
Peyronie's disease. Surgical options include removing the scar tissue or
shortening the unaffected side of the penis (plication). In some cases, use of
a penile prosthesis may be used to help maintain an erection during
intercourse.
