Penile Scar Tissue: Questions and Answers About Peyronie’s Disease (PD)
Peyronie’s is a disease where scar tissue in your penis causes it to bend, curve or lose length or girth. You may be able to feel the scar tissue (plaque) through the skin or you may have pain in a specific part of your penis as the scar tissue forms. During an erection, your penis can bend up, down, or to the side depending on the location of the scar. Some men with this condition don’t have a curve but might have an area of indentation or “hourglass” appearance.
Most men don’t have perfectly straight erections. Just because there is a little curve in your penis, that doesn’t mean you have Peyronie’s disease. Men who have had a curvature their whole lives do not have Peyronie’s disease.
In most cases, the scar forms on the top of the penis, causing it to curve upwards when it becomes erect. Your penis will bend downward if the scar is on the bottom, and sideways if the scar is on the side.
In some cases, the scar develops on both the top and bottom of the shaft, which can cause the penis to become “dented” or shorter. Sometimes the scar will go all the way around the penis, making it narrow like the neck of a bottle or the center of an hourglass. About one in three men with this condition may have calcium in the scar tissue that can make it feel like bone.
How does the penis work?
Your penis has two roles: to carry urine and to carry sperm. There are three tubes inside it: the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder and through the penis, and two tubes called the corpora cavernosa that fill with blood to make the penis erect. All three are wrapped together by a tough fibrous sheath known as the tunica albuginea.
When you’re having intercourse, the blood flowing to your penis makes it straight, stiff and hard, and able to penetrate. The semen then exits through the urethra after orgasm. This process is called ejaculation.
Peyronie’s disease affects the shape and size of the penis, but not urination or ejaculation.
What are the stages of Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease has two stages: acute and chronic.
Acute phase: This stage lasts between six and 12 months. During this period the scar forms under the skin of your penis, causing a curvature or other change in its shape. You may feel pain when your penis is erect or when it is soft.
Chronic phase: The scar has stopped growing in this phase, so the curvature in the penis doesn’t get worse. The pain will usually be gone by this time, but sometimes it can continue, especially with erections. Also, erectile dysfunction (ED) or problems getting or keeping the penis hard may develop.
What’s the difference between Peyronie’s disease and penile curvature?
Peyronie’s disease is one type of penile curvature that happens to adults. Some men can be born with penile curvature and this is called congenital curvature or chordee. It is not caused by scar tissue, and the condition does not change over time. It might not be noticeable until after puberty when a man begins having more regular erections.
Who is likely to get Peyronie’s disease? What are the risk factors?
Several risk factors might increase your chances of getting Peyronie’s disease:
Age. Peyronie’s disease is more likely to happen as you get older. It occurs in about 10-15% of middle-aged men.
Genetics. If you have a close relative (brother or father, for example) with the disease, you’re at a higher risk.
Connective tissue disorders. Those with a connective tissue disorder are at a greater risk. Examples of those disorders include Dupuytren’s disease, plantar fasciitis, and scleroderma.
Erectile dysfunction. Men who have diabetes-associated erectile dysfunction (ED) (impotence/difficulty getting and keeping an erection) are four to five times more likely to develop Peyronie’s disease. Sometimes erectile dysfunction can be caused by having Peyronie’s.
Prostate cancer. Men who have had surgery for prostate cancer are at an increased risk.
Autoimmune disorders. If you have an autoimmune disorder like lupus, you’re more likely to get Peyronie’s disease.
How common is Peyronie’s disease?
Experts estimate that about 6% to 10% of men between ages 40 and 70 have Peyronie’s disease. It’s been observed in other ages, but it’s less common. There’s a theory that the actual number may be higher since some men choose not to talk about the disease with their healthcare provider, and others may not be bothered enough to seek medical care. If you have concerns about your sexual health, be sure to report your symptoms to a healthcare provider.
Does Peyronie’s disease hurt?
Yes, Peyronie’s disease can be painful. This is most common in the acute (early) phase of the disease. However, pain may continue with erections even in the chronic phase. The severity of it varies depending on the person.
Does Peyronie’s disease make the penis smaller?
Yes. Peyronie’s disease can shorten your penis. Treatments for Peyronie’s disease can attempt to restore length.
Does Peyronie’s disease cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Peyronie’s disease can cause erectile dysfunction by interfering with the normal blood trapping valves that are important for getting or maintaining an erection.
Is Peyronie’s disease contagious?
No. Peyronie’s is not contagious or caused by any other disease.
Will Peyronie’s disease keep me from having sex?
Will Peyronie’s disease keep me from having sex?You can have sex, but it might be painful or difficult for you or your partner. The greater the curve, the more difficult it is to have sex.
What causes Peyronie’s disease?
The cause of Peyronie’s disease is not always clear. Some researchers believe the scar occurs after the erect penis has been injured or abnormally bent, typically during sexual intercourse. However, 80% of men don’t remember a specific event that led to the changes in their penis. These changes probably happen due to small unrecognized injuries that happen during regular sexual relations. Men with Peyronie’s disease may be at risk of having too much scar tissue form in response to these small injuries compared to men who don’t develop this condition.
If you have a close family member with the disease, then you are more likely to get it. Not all men who have injuries end up with Peyronie’s disease, so it is likely that there are genetic or environmental reasons. You’re also more likely if you have certain connective tissue disorders including Dupuytren’s contractures or tympanosclerosis.
There are also health issues that have been linked to Peyronie’s disease. It is unclear if they cause Peyronie’s disease, or if they happen alongside it:
- high blood sugar;
- pelvic trauma;
- problems with wound healing;
- using tobacco products;
- autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and Behçet’s disease.
What are the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease? What are the signs?
The primary symptom of Peyronie’s disease is a curvature in the penis. You may feel scar tissue (a plaque) under the skin of the penis. You may be able to tell that the plaque is forming because of the following signs:
- your penis is shorter;
- your penis is bent/curved;
- there is a loss of girth, an indentation, or hourglassing of your shaft;
- there are lumps in your penis;
- erections are painful;
- erections are soft;
- sex is difficult because of the bend.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease may develop slowly or can seem to appear overnight. The pain of Peyronie’s disease is usually mild and often does not require treatment, but medications like ibuprofen can be used if needed. In most cases, the pain decreases over time, but the bend in the penis related to the scar can remain a problem. If the bend is bad enough, such as greater than 30 degrees, the curve can interfere with sex.
A man with Peyronie’s disease may also notice that this condition affects their mental health. Changes in the penis can cause body image issues, anxiety, or even depression. It can cause strain in a relationship and in other aspects of life.
Your sexual health is as important as any other aspect of your health. Talk to a healthcare provider about your concerns. Bringing your partner to the visit can help ensure both partners’ concerns are addressed.
How long does Peyronie’s disease last?
Peyronie’s disease is usually a permanent condition. True Peyronie’s disease rarely goes away on its own, but can occasionally change even years after diagnosis in response to further injuries. The changes in the penis can always be improved using a variety of treatments.
How is Peyronie’s disease diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will ask you about anything that may have happened before the symptoms appeared, such as an injury. They will feel the hardened tissue caused by the disease, although sometimes it is necessary to do the examination when your penis is erect. If needed, an injection will be used to temporarily make your penis erect for the exam.
A doctor may also recommend an ultrasound. The ultrasound will reveal where the plaque is, check for calcium buildup, and show how the blood flows in your penis. This test can allow a doctor to determine which treatment options you might be a candidate for.
How is Peyronie’s disease treated?
If you have very little penis curvature with no pain and no problems with sex, you may not need to be treated at all. In our clinic, we offer treatments for Peyronie’s Disease like shock wave therapy and PRP injections.
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