Causes of Peyronie's Disease: What Leads to Penile Curvature?

Peyronie's disease is a disorder found in men, in which the penis bends or curves due to fibrous scar formation causing a painful erection. Men affected with this disease may have abnormal and fibrous lumps or plaques inside their penis. With time, these fibrous lumps grow and cause deformity in the penis. Peyronie's disease can cause painful sexual intercourse, a dull and localized ache in the penis, erectile dysfunction, etc.

Peyronie's Disease Causes

The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is still unknown. But studies have found that there are certain factors that can cause this medical condition including:

Injury or Trauma to the Penis

Fibrous plaque formation is considered as one of the main causes of Peyronie's disease. Any trauma or injury to the penis such as getting hit while riding a bicycle or horse or even during sexual intercourse can cause plaque formation inside the penis.

This trauma can cause localized bleeding in the structures surrounding the erectile tissue called corpora cavernosa. When a man is sexually aroused, the blood flows through the vessels inside the erectile tissue causing an erection. In case of damage, the membrane that covers these blood vessels ruptures causing inflammation. Chronic inflammation leads to fibrosis that reduces the elasticity in the connective tissues. Over the time, this results in the buildup of plaque that causes the penis to bend or get deformed.

Genetics

It is believed that if anyone in the family has Peyronie's disease, then there is a chance of inheriting this condition genetically. In some men, both injuries to penis and genes are involved in developing this condition.

Medications

Possible side-effects caused by certain medications used for treating blood pressure, interferon and seizure have found to be related to Peyronie's disease.

Systemic Vascular Diseases

Diseases like hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol can also cause this medical condition.

Dupuytren Contracture

Men with Dupuytren Contracture or with a family history of the same can develop Peyronie's disease. Dupuytren Contracture is a medical condition which causes thickening of connective tissues and tendons of the palm.