Peyronie's Disease, also known as Induratio Penis Plastica, is a wound healing disorder. Men with Peyronie's disease would often present with a nodule along the penis associated with curvature when the penis is erect and also loss of penile length and sometimes girth.
Dupuytren's contracture
Patients with Dupuytren's contracture seen on the palms and soles are more prone to Peyronie's Disease. The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is not well understood. Some men with Peyronie's disease would have sustained some form of injury to the penis, most commonly during sexual intercourse when the erect penis is forcefully bent. Men who have sustained significant penile injury such as penile fractures are also known to develop Peyronie's disease.
Radical prostatectomy
Men who have undergone radical prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer are also known to develop Peyronie's disease.
Although Peyronie's disease is not a life-threatening condition, the deformity that results in the patient's manhood often leads to:
- lowered self-esteem,
- clinical depression and
- avoidance of sexual relations.
Men with suspected Peyronie's disease should seek medical attention and look for urologists with subspecialty interest in this "not so straight forward" problem.