Peyronie Disease
Basics
Description
- Peyronie disease (PD) is a progressive connective tissue disorder affecting the tunica albuginea.
- Results in aberrant fibrosis and inelastic scar (plaque) formation due to abnormal wound healing
- Formation of plaque results in penile deformities: curvature, indentation, shortening, hourglass configuration, and/or painful erections.
- PD is often accompanied with erectile dysfunction (ED) (1)[C].
- Named after 18th-century French physician Francois de la Peyronie
- The most common plaque location is on the dorsal aspect of the penis followed by lateral then ventral (1)[C].
- Curvature can range from mild to severe and may preclude sexual intercourse and cause psychological distress.
- Synonyms: acquired penile curvature, penile induration
Epidemiology
Incidence
- Between 2% and 9% (1)
- Reported in up to 9% of men >40 years of age (1,2)
- May have significant effects of quality of life (1)
- Associated with high rates of depression, relationship stressors, low self-esteem (1)
Prevalence
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Exact etiology unknown; generally thought to be secondary to trauma (1)[C]
- Theory: Microtrauma in men with genetic predisposition leads to inflammation of the tunica albuginea, then collagen deposition, and eventually fibrosis in the form of a plaque (1)[C].
- Acute phase
- 6 to 18 months of acute inflammation eventually leading to fibrosis and plaque formation
- Painful erections that resolve spontaneously
- Chronic phase
- Complete spontaneous resolution of PD is uncommon (1,2)[C].
- Most common presenting symptoms: penile pain, erection deformity, palpable plaque, ED (1)[C]
Risk Factors
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Dupuytren contracture
- Ledderhose disease of plantar fascia
- Tympanosclerosis of eardrum
- ED
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Peyronie Disease." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816904/all/Peyronie_Disease.
Peyronie Disease. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816904/all/Peyronie_Disease. Accessed December 11, 2024.
Peyronie Disease. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816904/all/Peyronie_Disease
Peyronie Disease [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 December 11]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816904/all/Peyronie_Disease.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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T1 - Peyronie Disease
ID - 816904
ED - Domino,Frank J,
ED - Baldor,Robert A,
ED - Golding,Jeremy,
ED - Stephens,Mark B,
BT - 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Updating
UR - https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816904/all/Peyronie_Disease
PB - Wolters Kluwer
ET - 33
DB - Medicine Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -