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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffPeyronie's disease symptoms may appear suddenly or develop gradually. The most common signs and symptoms of Peyronie's disease include the following:
Deformed penis
When the penis is erect, it appears deformed. The penis may:
- Be bent, or curved, upward, the most common deformity
- Be bent down or to one side
- Have an "hourglass" appearance, with a tight, narrow band around the erect shaft
- Have a "hinge" effect, in which the penis appears erect but bends sharply downward at the base
The curvature or other deformity may gradually worsen over the first six to 18 months. At a certain point in time, the deformity will no longer worsen, but it will continue to recur with erections.
Pain
Pain most often occurs with an erection during the first six to 18 months after the onset of symptoms. However, pain associated with Peyronie's disease may occur in any of the following cases:
- During an erection
- Only during an orgasm
- When the penis is touched even when it's not erect (flaccid)
Scar tissue under the skin
The scar tissue, or plaques, associated with Peyronie's disease can be felt under the skin of the penis as flat lumps or a band of hard tissue.
Other symptoms
Other signs and symptoms include:
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Shortening of the penis
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have any symptoms during an erection that cause pain, prevent you from having sex or cause you anxiety. An accurate diagnosis is necessary to get appropriate treatment.
- Peyronie's disease. American Urological Association Foundation. http://urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=11&topic=50. Accessed June 3, 2009.
- Briganti A, et al. Peyronie's disease: A review. Current Opinion in Urology. 2003;13:417.
- Taylor FL, et al. Peyronie's Disease. Urological Clinics of North America. 2007;34:517.
- Sommer F, et al. Epidemiology of Peyronie's disease. International Journal of Impotence Research. 2002;14:379.
- Trost LW, et al. Pharmacological management of Peyronie's disease. Drugs. 2007;67:527.
