La Peyronie Condition

How common is Peyronie's condition?

Approximately 1 in 100 men over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with Peyronie's condition. However, based on studies conducted on men who reported experiencing symptoms of Peyronie's condition, researchers estimate that the actual number of affected men is higher, around 1 in 10.

The chance of developing Peyronie's condition increases with age.¹ It is less common for men in their 20s and 30s to have Peyronie's condition.

Who is more likely to have Peyronie's condition?

You may have a higher risk of developing Peyronie's condition if:

• you engage in erotic or non-erotic activities that cause micro-injuries to the penis.
• you have certain connective tissue conditions or autoimmune disorders.
• you have a family history of Peyronie's condition.
• you are older.
• you have diabetes and erectile dysfunction.
• you have a history of prostate cancer treatment through surgery.

Men whose erotic or non-erotic activities (such as sports) cause micro-injuries to the penis are more likely to develop Peyronie's condition.

Connective Tissue and Autoimmune Disorders

If you have certain connective tissue or autoimmune disorders, you may have a higher chance of developing Peyronie's condition.

Connective tissue is a specialized tissue that supports, connects, or separates different types of tissues and organs in your body. Connective tissue disorders can affect your joints, muscles, and skin. Some disorders associated with Peyronie's condition include:

• Dupuytren’s condition, also known as Dupuytren’s contracture, is a condition in which the connective tissue in the palms of the hands shortens and thickens. This leads to the permanent bending of the outer fingers. It is unclear why men with Peyronie’s condition are more likely to develop Dupuytren’s condition.
• Plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the thick tissue on the sole of the foot that forms the arch of the foot.
• Scleroderma, which is the abnormal growth of thick, hard patches of connective tissue. Scleroderma can also cause swelling or pain in the muscles and joints.

In autoimmune disorders, the body's immune system attacks its own cells and organs. Autoimmune disorders associated with Peyronie’s condition include:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which causes inflammation and damage to various tissues in the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.
• Sjögren’s syndrome, which causes inflammation and damage to the glands that produce tears and saliva.
• Behçet’s condition, which causes inflammation of the blood vessels.
• Family History of Peyronie’s Condition

Medical experts believe that Peyronie’s condition may run in some families. For example, if your father or brother has Peyronie’s condition, you may have an increased chance of developing it as well.

Aging

The chances of developing Peyronie’s condition increase with age. Age-related changes in the tissues of the penis can make it more susceptible to injury and less likely to heal properly.

Diabetes with Erectile Dysfunction

Men with diabetes-related erectile dysfunction are 4 to 5 times more likely to develop Peyronie’s condition compared to the general population.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Through Surgery

The chances of developing Peyronie’s condition increase after surgery for prostate cancer. Medical experts believe this is linked to erectile dysfunction that may develop following prostate cancer surgery.

What Are the Complications of Peyronie’s Condition?

• complications of Peyronie’s condition may include:
• the inability to engage in intimate relationships due to penile curvature.
• emotional distress, depression, or anxiety regarding sexual abilities or the appearance of the penis.
• stress in the relationship with a partner.
• difficulty conceiving a child due to challenges in sexual intercourse.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Peyronie’s Condition?

Signs and symptoms of Peyronie’s condition may include:

• hard lumps on one or more sides of the penis.
• pain during sexual intercourse or during an erection.
• a curvature of the penis, with or without an erection.
• changes in the shape of the penis, such as narrowing or shortening.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

These symptoms may develop slowly or appear suddenly and can range from mild to severe. In many cases, the pain decreases over time, although the penile curvature may persist. Sexual difficulties or erectile dysfunction (ED) can occur during both phases of the condition.

What Causes Peyronie’s Condition?

Medical experts do not know the exact cause of Peyronie’s condition, but they believe it may result from:

• an acute or chronic injury to the penis.
• an autoimmune condition.

Peyronie’s condition is not contagious and is not caused by any known transmissible disease.

Injuries to the Penis

• Medical experts believe that hitting or bending the penis can injure the internal tissues. These injuries may occur during sexual activity, sports, or an accident. The injury can happen once (an acute injury) or repeatedly over time (a chronic injury).
• The injury can cause bleeding and swelling inside the elastic membrane of the penis, known as the tunica albuginea. As the injury heals, scar tissue may form, leading to the development of plaque. The hardened plaque pulls on the surrounding tissues, causing the penis to curve.
• You may not be aware of micro-injuries to your penis when they occur. Researchers have found that many patients do not recall a specific incident right before their symptoms began.

Autoimune condition

Men with an autoimmune condition may develop Peyronie’s condition if their immune system attacks the cells in the penis. This can lead to inflammation in the penis, resulting in the formation of scar tissue, which may eventually develop into plaque.