What is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s Disease is an acquired condition characterized by the formation of scars in the tunica of the penis. These scars can be easily palpated as a lump and tend to be tender during the initial phase of the disease.
Peyronie’s Disease plaques cause loss of elasticity of the tunica of the penis and this reduces the capacity of the penis to stretch during erections. Patients therefore frequently report penile shortening and deformity such as curvature and narrowing of the shaft during erections.
Peyronie’s disease is frequently associated with other known cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and tobacco smoke. More than 60% of patients have at least one known cardiovascular risk factor.
Worsening of the quality of the erections is quite common in patients with Peyronie’s Disease; although this can be potentially caused by the plaque itself, certainly also the cardiovascular risk factors play a role by causing obstruction to the arteries feeding the penis.
Since Peyronie’s Disease can be associated with penile pain, shortening, deformity and worsening of the quality of the erection, it can be cause of severe distress in the patient and the partner.
