Every man’s penis is different. They vary in size and shape. It might even be normal to have a slight curve in your penis. But if you notice a significant bend has formed when your penis is erect, it’s time to ask a urologist if it could be Peyronie’s disease.

Men who have a curved erection could have Peyronie’s disease.

Causes of PD

A curved erection caused by Peyronie’s disease may happen because of a problem in the way the body heals after an injury (a connective tissue disorder).

When this happens, the body doesn’t properly control how much scar tissue develops, and too much builds up gradually. A bump of scar tissue forms under the skin of the penis. This bump is called a Peyronie’s plaque.

Peyronie’s disease is caused by a buildup of scar tissue called a Peyronie’s plaque that causes a curved erection.

The Peyronie’s plaque causes the penis to curve when erect. This isn’t the kind of plaque that can develop in your arteries. If you feel around the inner part of the bend in your penis you may be able to feel this bump of scar tissue.

If the plaque forms on the top of the penis, it will make the erect penis curve up. If the plaque forms on one side of the penis, the erect penis will curve to that side.

Peyronie’s disease is unlikely to go away on its own and may get worse over time.
1 in 10 men may have Peyronie’s disease in the US.

It’s more common as men age, especially between the ages of 40 and 70.

Contributing Factors in PD

While no one knows the exact cause of Peyronie’s disease, these could likely be contributing factors:

One or more injures to the penis. This can occur during athletic activities, an accident, or sex. During vigorous sex especially, the penis can accidentally bend and become injured.

Genetics. Men with family members who have Peyronie’s disease or other related conditions may be more likely to get it. Genetic issues in these men may result in problems healing after an injury. Older men are more likely to have less firm erections that can bend more easily, which may put them at higher risk for injury.

For an injury to the penis to result in Peyronie’s disease, experts think that men, in addition to other factors, may need to be genetically at risk for the condition.

How an injury may cause Peyronie’s disease?

There are 4 steps that cause penile curvature after an injury:

Step 1: Blood vessels rupture. Injury causes bleeding, inflammation, and swelling.

Step2: Clots can form. Since blood may not flow normally, immune cells become trapped due to inflammation.

Step3: Too much scar tissue forms a plaque. During the healing of an injury, immune system cells release substances that don’t allow the body to properly regulate how much scar tissue it makes.

Step4: The erection curves. The curvature occurs on the site where the plaque is located because the penis can’t fully extend in the spot when erect.

What are the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease?

If you have Peyronie’s disease, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

A curved erection with or without pain. If you develop a curve in your erection that you didn’t notice before, it may be a sign that you could have Peyronie’s disease. Some men report they feel pain in their erection as the curve develops for the first 12 to 18 months.

A Peyronie’s plaque. This is a bump of scar tissue under the skin of the penis. It’s most commonly found on the top side of the penis. Some men can feel it, while others don’t notice it.

Bothered by your erection. Many men with Peyronie’s disease report being bothered by the way their curved erection looks and the challenges it presents to their ability to engage in sexual activity.

Peyronie’s disease symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions.

Erectile Dysfunction. Many men who actually have Peyronie’s disease may think it’s erectile dysfunction. It’s important to know that Peyronie’s disease is a separate medical condition that requires its own diagnosis and treatment.

Be sure to talk to a urologist about all of your symptoms so they can help you figure out if you have either of these conditions.

Cancer. Since Peyronie’s disease causes a lump to form under the skin of the penis, and lumps are often the first noticeable symptom of penile cancer, some men may think their Peyronie’s plaque is caused by cancer.

The Peyronie’s plaque is not cancerous. To be sure the bump in your penis is caused by Peyronie’s disease and not cancer, you may want to have it checked out by a urologist.