by Darian Peters

Created on: February 24, 2009

Peyronie's disease is a condition associated with the connective tissue of the penis that is caused by a build up of fibrous plaques in the soft tissue. The disease is named after Francois Gigot de la Peyronie (a surgeon of Louis XV) who was the first to identify it back in 1743. It may affect anything up to around 4% of men. The main noticeable symptom of the disease is an upward curvature of the penis beyond that which you would normally expect although it can also cause indentations in the penis sometimes.

The condition is also known as penile induration or indurato penis plastica although a more colourful colloquialism is the wonderfully descriptive bent nail syndrome. It affects a tissue known as the tunica albuginea (also known as the corpus cavernosum urethrae). This is a layer of fibrous tissue that covers the corpora cavernosa, the more spongy erectile tissue of the penis. These are the tissues that fill with blood during sexual arousal to cause penile erection.

The condition is not a form of cancer and is not caused by a disease-causing organism and is therefore non-contagious. It is also not thought to be a genetic disease either. Whilst there is no certainty about the exact causes it seems that physical trauma of the penis is a likely possibility. This may have occurred through particularly energetic or ambitious sexual activity, extreme masturbation, or the excessive use of a penis pump, for example.

Besides the curvature and indentations there are also other symptoms of the condition. The early stages can involve some pain and possibly shortening or narrowing of the penis. In the later stages, in some cases, erectile dysfunction can occurs. In other cases sex can become painful. Psychological problems such as depression and withdrawal can be a side-effect.

Treatment of the condition has been through Vitamin E supplements and various anti-inflammatory medications such as Potaba and sildenafil. Injections of Verapamil have also had some success. Surgery is only considered a treatment of last resort for this condition.

Those who have a bent penis anyway should not panic at this point. Some congenital curvature is to be expected and this is an entirely benign phenomenon. Some would even argue that it enhances the sexual experience under certain circumstances. However, it is important to know whether the curvature is of harmless congenital origin or if it really is Peyronie's disease because treatment will be required at some point, and the sooner it is identified the better, as with all medical conditions.

Learn more about this author, Darian Peters.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.