Peyronie’s disease is an acquired incurvation of the penis. It is caused by the appearance of fibrosis (scar-like tissue) in the tunica albuginea of your corpora cavernosa. This fibrosis causes that part of the tunica of the penis to lose its elasticity and when the penis fills with blood during erection, it deforms at the point of fibrosis.
Some research concludes that 5% to 10% of men may have this problem although many patients do not consult for it.
Causes of Peyronie’s disease
Although the causes of Peyronie’s disease are unknown, it is believed that the main factor influencing its onset is repeated microtrauma to the erect penis. This occurs mainly when sexual intercourse is being performed with the partner in a superior position which subjects the penis to stress. When this occurs in a genetically predisposed individual, an excessive immune response (which would produce fibrosis) is produced as a consequence of the small traumas suffered by the penis during intercourse.
Other factors associated with Peyronie’s disease are testosterone deficiency and a history of penile fracture.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease
Urology specialists establish two clear phases in Peyronie’s disease, an initial inflammatory phase where there is pain, a nodule is palpated in the penis and it begins to curve during erection; this phase can last up to a year. The second phase is a stabilization phase in which the pain disappears and the curvature eventually stabilizes. In the first phase and until the curvature has not stabilized, conservative surgical treatments should not be used, and it is in the second phase when corrective surgery can be planned. On the other hand, Peyronie’s has been shown to be related to the development of erectile problems, so it is important to investigate the presence of erectile dysfunction in these cases.