Peyronie’s disease – Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management
Peyronie’s disease is a health condition affecting men, where scar tissues cause the penis to curve and lose girth or length. It is a rare case of erectile dysfunction (ED), and in severe cases, it might be painful enough for the patient to avoid intercourse. Unfortunately, the disorder remains undertreated due to its embarrassing nature, even though one in a hundred males over 18 in our country receive a diagnosis for the same. Symptoms The primary symptom of this condition is a curvature of the penis. The other signs to look for are painful erections, shortened penis, lumps in the penis, loss of girth, and discomfort during intercourse. Usually, these symptoms develop slowly but can sometimes be noticed overnight. Causes and risk factors The definite cause of Peyronie’s disease is yet to be understood, but it is most likely due to damage to small blood vessels during sports or an accident. Although every male does not develop it, a few factors can increase the risk: Family history Experts believe the disorder might be hereditary, causing it to pass on to the males in the family. So, if a father suffers from the condition, it may likely be passed on to his son.