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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffMinor injury to the penis doesn't always lead to Peyronie's disease. There are a number of factors that can contribute to poor wound healing and scar tissue buildup that may play a role in Peyronie's disease. These include:
- Heredity. If your father or brother has Peyronie's disease, you have an increased risk of getting the disorder.
- Connective tissue disorders. Men who have a connective tissue disorder appear to have an increased risk of developing Peyronie's disease. For example, a number of men who have Peyronie's disease also have a condition known as Dupuytren's contracture — a cord-like thickening across the palm that causes the fingers to pull inward.
- Getting older. The prevalence of Peyronie's disease increases with age. Age-related changes in tissues may cause them to be more easily injured and less likely to heal well.
Other factors, including other certain health conditions, smoking and some types of prostate surgery may be linked to Peyronie's disease.
References
- Peyronie's disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/peyronie. Accessed May 31, 2011.
- Brant WO, et al. Peyronie's disease: Diagnosis and medical management. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 23, 2011.
- Brant WO, et al. Surgical management of Peyronie's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 23, 2011.
- Kumar R. Surgical and minimally invasive treatments for Peyronie's disease. Current Opinion in Urology. 2009;19:589.
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