Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's disease is an uncommon sexual disorder that is characterized by an abnormal bend in the penis during erection. It occurs as a result of scar tissue formation in the body of the penis, usually in the midline on the lower or upper side. The erect penis curves uncomfortably as the scar tissue is not capable of enlarging along with the rest of the organ. This condition may give rise to pain, making sexual intercourse difficult. If the curvature is severe, penetration of the vagina may become impossible. In some cases, the condition improves on its own. However, if it persists, medical or surgical intervention may be necessary.

The symptoms of Peyronie's disease may develop overnight or gradually. Common symptoms associated with this condition include painful erections, curving or bending of the penis when erect, presence of a patch of hard tissue on one or more sides of the penis. If the scar tissue covers the entire circumference of the penis forming a fibrous band in the center, the penis may actually look like an hourglass during erection. The patient may complain of shortening or shrinking of his penis. The pain caused by Peyronie's disease may decrease after some time. However, the curvature of the penis may still remain. In milder forms of the disease, inflammation may develop without causing any pain or permanent deformity.

The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is yet not clear. Various theories have been propounded to explain the phenomenon. It is believed that injury to the penis as a result of vigorous sexual intercourse or an accident may lead to small tears in the penile tissue and tiny blood vessels that can rupture and bleed internally. Some researchers feel that the condition may be autoimmune in origin, where a man's immune system may respond abnormally and trigger the formation of plaques in the penis.

Studies have also found an association between the development of Peyronie's disease and inherited collagen disorders in which the genes responsible for the normal formation and functioning of collagen may mutate and be inherited to cause the disease. Certain drugs, especially those that are used to treat diseases like glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and seizures are believed to cause side-effects that can give rise to the condition.

In the initial stages, doctors may want to wait to see if the condition subsudes on its own. However, if the problem continues or worsens, treatment becomes a must. Some studies have found that administration of vitamin E orally can do a great deal of good. Injecting drugs such as collagenase or calcium channel blockers can also help in some cases by facilitating a breakdown of the scar tissue deposits.

Surgical methods of treatment include removal of the plaque and its replacement with a patch of skin from the pubic area. Nesbit plication is a surgical technique in which the tissue on the unaffected side of the penis is shortened to eliminate the curvature. In some cases, where the patient also suffers from erectile dysfunction, penile prostheses may be implanted to straighten the penis and also increase its rigidity.

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