Peyronie’s disease is a connective tissue disorder that affects the male penis. It is the formation of fibrous plaque in the corpus cavernosa, the spongy penile tissue that holds blood for erection to take place. It was initially known as penile induration or pathological hardening or thickening of penile tissue and later named after the French doctor, François Gigot de la Peyronie who was the first to describe the disease. The disorder leads to a curved penis and in its severe manifestation can make it difficult for a man to penetrate the vagina. Many men are born with this benign condition and a small degree of curvature in the penis is considered normal. Penile induration is however different from a congenital curvature. Although, not associated with serious internal disorders, penile curvature due to the formation of fibrous plaque can inhibit sexual intercourse and also become a source of serious embarrassment at times.

Symptoms of Peyronies disease include pain, plaque of scar tissue and abnormal curvature when the penis is erect. The popular perception of the disease is that it is simply an abnormal curvature. That, however, is not true. The scar tissue can also cause indentations. While the pain may cease after a year or after occurrence of the disease, the later stages may result in erectile dysfunction. Although many men report successful sexual intercourse despite a curved penis, severe manifestation can cause extreme pain. In some cases the plaque forms in a hoop, which leads to segmental indentations giving the erect penis an hour glass shape.

This may make penetration extremely difficult and painful. The disease can affect men of any race and age but Caucasian males are apparently more susceptible after they cross forty. Medical treatment for Peyronies disease has varied success rates. Direct injection of Verapamil is the first line of treatment which usually heals the scar tissue.

Men suffering from Peyronies diseases can also use Vitamin E supplementation but shows mixed results. A combination of Vitamin E and colchicines has better success rates and can delay progress of the disease. Recent research has shown that interferon holds some promise for men with a curved penis due to development of scar tissue.

Peyronie disease surgery is the last resort. A procedure known as Nesbit operation involves plicating or gathering of the outer convex tissue. The operation requires skills of an experienced urological surgeon who has specialized in such corrective surgeries. You can also opt for tissue graft surgery or penile implantation to cure Peyronies disease.

The plaque in the penis is benign or non-cancerous and is not a tumor. It is also neither contagious nor a transmittable disease. The problem is only with the symptoms, which can be extremely pain and frustrating in severe presentation of the condition. Even in its mild manifestation Peyronie’s disease can sometimes lead to erectile dysfunction.