Although medical researchers have not yet determined a cause for Peyronie's disease, some doctors believe that the condition develops after the penis receives some form of trauma. For instance, according to some doctors, hitting or injury in the pelvic region can cause Peyronie's disease. Onset of Peyronie's disease is usually accompanied by localized bleeding, usually inside the penis. If the penis becomes abnormally bent or otherwise injured, the area of the penis known as the septum may become too stretched and may cause a small rupture in the blood vessels. The septum is the connecting tissue that runs the length of the penis, connecting from the chamber and attaching at the bottom and the top.

If the damaged area of the penis heals slowly or continues to incur trauma over an extended period of time, the injury will heal very slowly. This may cause the elastic fibers that are connected to the septum to stretch beyond their limit. This in turn can cause injury to the lining of the erectile chamber and cause the blood vessels to rupture. Aging can also have an effect on the progress of Peyronie's disease. Aging causes a progressive diminishment in the elasticity of the septum connective tissue. Aging can also increase the risk of injury to the area. Trauma eventually to the penis often leads to damage that can result in Peyronie's disease. This is because repeated damage to the area often keeps blood flow to reach the fibers of the penis. If trauma heals completely within one year of the injury, the development of plaque may be withheld to manageable levels. Keeping the plaque from advancing beyond the inflammatory phase is one of the best ways to prevent the onset of Peyronie's disease. However, if the plaque continues to develop over an extended period of time, it may eventually result in fibrosis. The plaque turns into hardened fibrous tissue. Eventually, the fibers may cause the formation of calcium deposits.

However, although many doctors are in agreement that trauma can lead to the development of Peyronie's disease, there is still much to learn about other causes of this often-mysterious condition. For instance, in many cases, Peyronie's disease manifests itself in patients with no history of trauma. Some cases of Peyronie's disease appear to develop very slowly over the years with no apparent reason.


Treatment of Peyronie's disease can represent a challenge for doctor and patient. Treatment will vary according to the patient's particular circumstances. Some doctors prescribe courses of vitamin E or B-complex molecules to their patients, although there does not exist conclusive evidence about the efficacy of these treatments. Doctors, with mixed results, have also used radiation therapies. High-energy rays are directed at the affected area in order to reduce the concentration of plaque. Although radiation therapy appears to be somewhat effective at reducing the amount of pain, it does not appear to get rid of plaque altogether or retain its effectiveness on a long-term basis. Surgical intervention is an alternative for patients that have not responded to other forms of therapy.

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