Cause of Peyronie's Disease: An Overview
At this point in time, the exact cause of
Peyronie's disease is unknown. However, researchers have a few theories about what could possibly cause
Peyronie's disease, including:
- Trauma
- Autoimmune disorders.
Trauma as a Cause of Peyronie's Disease
Many researchers believe the
plaque associated with Peyronie's disease develops following trauma (hitting or bending) that causes localized bleeding inside the penis.
Two chambers known as the corpora cavernosa run the length of the penis. The inner-surface membrane of the chambers is a sheath of elastic fibers. A connecting tissue, called a septum, runs between the two chambers and attaches at the top and bottom.
If the penis is abnormally bumped or bent, an area where the septum attaches to the elastic fibers may stretch beyond its limit, injuring the lining of the erectile chamber and, for example, rupturing small blood vessels. As a result of aging, diminished elasticity near the point of attachment of the septum might increase the chances of injury.
The damaged area might heal slowly or abnormally for two reasons:
- Repeated trauma
- A minimal amount of blood flow in the sheath-like fibers.
In cases that heal within about a year, the plaque does not advance beyond an initial inflammatory phase. In cases that persist for years, the plaque can undergo fibrosis (formation of tough fibrous tissue) and even calcification (formation of
calcium deposits).
While trauma might explain acute cases of Peyronie's disease, it does not explain why most cases develop slowly and with no apparent traumatic event. It also does not explain why some cases disappear quickly or why similar conditions, such as Dupuytren's contracture, do not seem to result from severe trauma.
