Peyronie’s disease

Peyronie’s disease, a condition of uncertain cause, is characterized by a plaque, or hard lump, that forms on the penis. The plaque develops on the upper or lower side of the penis in layers containing erectile tissue. It begins as a localized inflammation and can develop into a hardened scar.Sometimes the plaque is deposited on both the sides making the penis turn inwardly, and this condition is very rare but is most dangerous of all. The plaque that is deposited is found to be formed of the waste material that is not excreted through the urine.


Peyronie’s disease is somewhat uncommon, affecting somewhere between one and three men in a hundred. The most likely factor causing Peyronie’s Disease is direct or indirect trauma. Depending on the severity of the condition it can cause difficulties with sexual intercourse, pain on entry and a slightly shortened penis. Due to this problem men feel ashamed and don’t discuss it with their partner.

Peyronie’s disease has been treated surgically with some success. The two most common surgical procedures are removal or expansion of the plaque followed by placement of a patch of skin or artificial material, and removal or pinching of tissue from the side of the penis opposite the plaque, which cancels out the bending effect. The first method can involve partial loss of erectile function, especially rigidity. The second method, known as the Nesbit procedure, causes a shortening of the erect penis.

Most types of surgery produce positive results. But because complications can occur, and because many of the phenomena associated with Peyronie’s disease (for example, shortening of the penis) are not corrected by surgery, most doctors prefer to perform surgery only on the small number of men with curvature so severe that it prevents sexual intercourse.