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Peyronie’s disease (also known as “Induratio penis plastica”[1]) is a connective tissue disorder involving the growth of fibrous plaques[2] in the soft tissue of the penis affecting as many as 1-4% of men. Specifically the fibrosing process occurs in the tunica albuginea, a fibrous envelope surrounding the penile corpora cavernosa causing an abnormal upward curvature of the penis.
Peyronies Disease is also formally known as “penile induration” or “Induratio Penis Plastica (IPP)” and colloquially as “bent nail syndrome”. A French surgeon, François Gigot de la Peyronie, first described the disease in 1743. [3][4][5]
A certain degree of curvature of the penis is considered normal, as many men are born with this benign condition, commonly referred to as congenital curvature. This causes the penis to point in a direction other than directly forward, while still having a relatively straight shaft. Such curvature is not caused by Peyronie’s Disease.
The disease may cause pain, hardened, cord-like lesions (scar tissue known as “plaques”), or abnormal curvature of the penis when erect. Although the popular conception of Peyronie’s disease is that it always involves curvature of the penis, the scar tissue sometimes causes divits or indentations rather than curvature. In addition, narrowing and or shortening of the penis may occur. Pain felt in the early stages of the disease often resolves in twelve to eighteen months. Erectile dysfunction, in varying degrees, often accompanies these symptoms in the later stages of the disease process. The condition may also make sexual intercourse painful and/or difficult, though many men report satisfactory intercourse in spite of the disease. Although it can affect men of any race and age, it is most commonly seen in caucasian males above the age of 40. Peyronie’s Disease is not contagious, nor is it related in any way to cancer. The disease only affects men and is confined to the penis, although a substantial number of men with Peyronie’s exhibit concurrent connective tissue disorders in the hand, and to a lesser degree, in the feet.
About 30 percent of men with Peyronie’s disease develop fibrosis in other elastic tissues of the body, such as on the hand or foot, including Dupuytren’s contracture of the hand. An increased incidence in genetically related males suggests a genetic component.
A urologist can diagnose the disease and suggest treatment, and it is best to seek out a urologist who specializes in Peyronie’s Disease, as the disease and its current treatments are not well understood by some urologists in general practice.
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