Peyronie's disease - Watch out for the bend

Peyronie's disease is a relatively common condition in urological practice, but is still poorly identified and understood in the wider medical community and by most of the public. Identifying the condition and appropriate referral for expert opinion can significantly lessen the physical and psychological effect on patients.

The objective of this article is to provide general practitioners with a concise and updated review of Peyronie's disease, with the aim of helping them to provide appropriate advice to their patients.

Peyronie's disease is an aberrant wound healing process culminating in excess scar formation in the penis, which may cause penile pain, shortening and curvature. It is often accompanied by erectile dysfunction, and can result in progressive and severe impairment of penetrative intercourse. The course of the disorder is divided into active inflammatory and chronic stable phases. Oral therapy is usually of limited efficacy, while penile traction may only be beneficial in motivated patients. Intralesional injections of collagenase were recently introduced as a non-surgical measure to decrease penile curvature. Surgery remains the most effective treatment for Peyronie's disease and is considered the gold standard.