Peyronie's Disease

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KEY POINTS

• Peyronie's disease is a buildup of hard scar tissue called plaques that form under the skin of the penis. The plaques do not bend or stretch like normal tissue. They can cause a deformity of the penis during an erection, prevent an erection, or cause painful erections and trouble with intercourse.
• Treatment may include medicines or surgery.
• Ask your healthcare provider about how to take care of yourself at home.

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What is Peyronie's disease?

Peyronie's disease is a buildup of hard scar tissue called plaques that form under the skin and in the elastic tissues of the penis. The plaques can cause the penis to bend or curve, or you may feel lumps in the penis. The plaques can cause a deformity of the penis during an erection, prevent an erection, or cause painful erections and trouble with intercourse.

Plaques can form on one side of the penis or go all the way around the shaft.

What is the cause?

The exact cause is not known, but trauma to the penis is likely the main cause. The trauma may be from many repeated injuries during sexual activity, or it may be a single injury to the penis. An injury to the penis can damage the elastic covering that surrounds the soft spongy tissues inside the penis. The scar that forms when the penis heals then forms plaques. Plaques are hard and may cause pain and deformity during an erection.

Not every man who injures his penis will get Peyronie’s disease. You may be more likely to get Peyronie’s disease if:

• You have a close relative who has it.
• You are over age 30.
• You have an autoimmune or connective tissue disease such as Dupuytren’s contractures. An autoimmune disease is a disease that causes your body to mistakenly attack your own tissue.
• You have a penis injury from vigorous sexual activity, from a sports or work accident, or from another injury to the groin area.
• You have a problem with tissue healing such as having high blood glucose in diabetes.
• You use tobacco.
• You drink a lot of alcohol.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may be mild or severe and can appear slowly or quickly. Symptoms include:

• Hard lumps in the penis
• Curving, shortening, or narrowing of the penis with an erection
• Trouble getting an erection
• Pain or other trouble with intercourse because of a curved penis
• Irregular shape to the penis

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You provider may inject a drug into your penis to make it stiff before the exam.

Tests may include:

• Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to show plaque location, check for calcium buildup, and check blood flow of the penis
• X-rays

How is it treated?

Sometimes, you do not need treatment if the disease is mild and does not cause problems.

Treatment may include:

• Medicines to help treat pain or reduce the plaque size
• High intensity ultrasound, radiation therapy, and shockwave therapy applied directly to the penis to help reduce plaque size

Your healthcare provider may recommend surgery if the Peyronie’s disease is severe and you have trouble with intercourse. Surgery may be used to straighten the penis or to insert a device to help get an erection.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. Ask your provider:

• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them
• Get support. Talk with your healthcare provider. Join a support group in your area.

Claims have been made that certain medicines and supplements can relieve symptoms in Peyronie’s disease. Supplements are not tested or standardized and may vary in strengths and effects. Before you try any medicine, supplement, or other treatment, talk with your healthcare provider.

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I help prevent Peyronie's Disease?

There is no sure way to prevent Peyronie’s disease, except to avoid injuries to the penis as much as possible. Wear protective equipment when working or doing sports activities.

Also, a healthy lifestyle may help reduce your risk. If you have diabetes, keep good control of your blood glucose. If you smoke, try to quit. If you want to drink alcohol, ask your healthcare provider how much is safe for you to drink.