Peyronie's disease was first described in 1743 by a French surgeon, François de la Peyronie. It was classified as a form of impotence. However, now impotence is recognized as one factor associated with the Peyronie's disease, but is not always present.

What causes Peyronie's disease?
Some researchers believe Peyronie's disease develops following a trauma that causes bleeding inside the penis. This trauma may explain acute cases of Peyronie's disease, but does not explain why most cases develop slowly -- or what causes the disease after no apparent traumatic event.

Generally, when the disease heals within a year or so, the plaque does not advance beyond an initial inflammatory phase. But, when the disease lasts for years, the plaque often becomes a tough fibrous tissue, and calcium deposits may form.

What are the symptoms of Peyronie's disease?
The plaque in Peyronie's disease is benign, or noncancerous.

• Plaque on the top of the shaft, which is the most common condition, causes the penis to bend upward.

• Plaque on the underside causes the penis to bend downward.

• In cases where the plaque develops on both top and bottom, indentation and shortening of the penis may occur.

• Pain, bending, and emotional distress can prohibit sexual intercourse.

• Painful erections may occur.

Treatment for Peyronie's disease:
In general, the goal of treatment is to keep the patient with Peyronie's disease sexually active. Providing education about the disease and its course is often included in the treatment plan. A treatment protocol will be established by your physician based on the severity of your condition, and may include any/all of the following:

• no treatment (Peyronie's disease often occurs in a mild form that heals without treatment in 6 to 15 months.)

• prescribing or continuing palliative methods

• surgery

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