Peyronie's disease is characterized by a
plaque that forms on the penis, which can cause reduced flexibility and pain. The plaque itself is benign (noncancerous). In men with severe cases, the hardened plaque reduces flexibility, causing pain and forcing the penis to bend or arc during an erection.
Peyronie's disease occurs mostly in middle-aged men, but men of any age can develop it. Although the cause of the disease and its development are not well understood, many researchers believe that the plaque associated with the condition develops following trauma (hitting or bending) that causes localized bleeding inside the penis. Surgery is recommended only for long-term cases.
(Click Peyronie's Disease for the full eMedTV article, which provides more information about symptoms and treatment, as well as statistics on how many men the disease affects. You can also click any of the links in the box to the right for specific information.)
