Peyronie’s Disease
Overview
What is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s disease is a non-cancerous connective tissue disorder that causes a curved penis and painful erections. It’s a complex condition caused by fibrous scar tissue, also known as plaque, that forms under the skin of the penis. This tissue disrupts normal blood flow and flexibility, resulting in a bent penis during erection.
You may have a higher risk of developing Peyronie’s if a family member has the disease, you have a connective tissue disorder, or you’re over 40, as the condition is more common with age.
Other risk factors include certain health conditions, smoking, and prior prostate surgery.
There is no permanent cure for Peyronie’s disease, but it is often treatable. In some mild cases, symptoms may resolve over time. If your sex life is unaffected and symptoms are minimal, your Saint John’s Physician Partners (SJPP) doctor may recommend “watchful waiting.”
However, Peyronie’s disease can cause emotional distress, anxiety, and challenges in sexual relationships. Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve symptoms like penile curvature, pain, and shortening.
Treatment options depend on the severity of the deformity, the duration of the condition, and how much it impacts your sexual function.
Symptoms
Peyronie’s Disease Symptoms
This condition can develop suddenly or progress slowly. The most common peyronie’s disease symptoms include:
- Scar tissue, called plaque, forms under the skin of the penis and can often be felt as flat lumps or a band of hard tissue.
- You may experience pain in the penis with or without an erection. This pain often decreases over one to two years.
- A significant penile curvature may develop, causing the penis to curve upward, downward, or to one side. This can result in discomfort during intercourse or difficulty maintaining an erection.
- Some men experience a shortened penis or narrowing, giving the shaft an hourglass-like appearance.
- In some men the erect penis can have a narrowing indentations with a tight, narrow band around the shaft giving your penis an hourglass-like appearance.
- Peyronie’s disease can lead to erection problems, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection. In rare cases, priapism, a prolonged and painful erection, can occur. Seek immediate medical care if this lasts over 30 minutes.
Specialists
Meet Our Peyronie’s Disease Specialists
Saint John’s Physician Partners features board-certified urologists with expertise in men’s health and Peyronie’s disease.
Our compassionate team helps men restore sexual health and confidence. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit our Find a Doctor page.
