Peyronie's disease named after the French surgeon Francois de la Peyronie who was the first to identify and describe a treatment in 1743 is characterized by a plaque or hard lump that occurs on the penis. It begins as a localized inflammation, which progresses to a hardened scar that reduces flexibility and causes the penis to bend during erection. This causes pain on erection and in some circumstances may prevent sexual intercourse altogether. Aside from the physical consequences, depression and loss of self-esteem are common in men with Peyronie's disease. It is currently believed that Peyronie's disease is caused by vascular trauma or injury to the penis. The disease affects approximately between 0.39 - 3.2 % of the adult male population, usually occurring in patients between 40-70 years of age.

Cases of Peyronie’s disease range from mild to severe. Symptoms may develop slowly or appear overnight. In severe cases, the hardened plaque reduces flexibility, causing pain and forcing the penis to bend or arc during erection. In many cases, the pain decreases over time, but the bend in the penis may remain a problem, making sexual intercourse difficult. The sexual problems that result can disrupt a couple’s physical and emotional relationship and lead to lowered self-esteem in the man. In a small percentage of patients with the milder form of the disease, inflammation may resolve without causing significant pain or permanent bending.

The plaque itself is benign, or noncancerous. A plaque on the top of the shaft (most common) causes the penis to bend upward; a plaque on the underside causes it to bend downward. In some cases, the plaque develops on both the top and bottom, leading to indentation and shortening of the penis. Some men with Peyronie's disease develop scar tissue elsewhere in the body, such as on the hand or foot.

Doctors can usually diagnose Peyronie’s disease based on a physical examination. The plaque is visible and palpable whether the penis is flaccid or erect. Full evaluation, however, may require examination during erection to determine the severity of the curvature. The erection may be induced by injecting medicine into the penis or through self-stimulation. Some patients may eliminate the need to induce an erection in the doctor’s office by taking a digital or Polaroid picture in the home. The examination may include an ultrasound scan of the penis to pinpoint the location and extent of the plaque and evaluate blood flow throughout the penis.

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