Peyronie’s disease is a certainly a terrible crisis that occurs in mid-life, since it tends to have an affect mostly on middle-aged men in their 40’s and 50’s. But there have been men in their teens and older men in their 60’s and beyond that have developed Peyronie’s. There are indications that genes can play a role in this problem since men that are genetically related tend to develop Peyronie’s.

There is no known single causal factor for Peyronie’s disease but most doctors and other experts in the field agree that most cases appear to start from an injury sustained to the penis. Soft internal tissue becomes damaged within the penis with scarring developing. The area then gets worse by a build-up of plaque or a hardening of tissue called fibrosis. But please note that not all Peyronie’s cases develop from an injury.

Did You Know? Peyronie’s is somewhat uncommon, affecting between one and three men in a hundred. I know this doesn’t make you feel any better to know that you are one of the unlucky few.

While injury to the penis is thought to be a common cause it does not tell experts why other cases seem to develop spontaneously. Some cases develop slowly without an injury as the trigger mechanism and just as mysterious is the fact that some cases will simply rapidly clear up. There is a similar problem associated with the hands and feet called Dupuytren’s Contracture, resulting in a similar symptom of thickened fibroids.

Peyronie’s disease can have very different outcomes in each man that is afflicted with this problem. Since doctors still do not have a real treatment they will often recommend doing nothing for a year or two to watch how the problem will progress. Peyronie’s can simply clear up for no apparent reason, although this clearing can take months or years to take place.

Did You Know? Around one in three men with Peyronie’s disease will develop in the hands and/or feet additional hardened tissues similar to what is occurring in the groin.

Confusing symptoms can make Peyronie’s disease difficult to self-diagnose. Some men never experience pain, others have extreme pain while other men only have pain during an erection. The plaque or hardened scar tissue easily can vary in degrees of hardness, size and placement. Peyronies only affects men and can affect any race though it is more prevalent in Caucasian males.

Unless you experience physical pain the most debilitating effects Peyronie’s will cause will be psychological. The mental strain of dealing with this problem associated with your manhood can have crushing affects on your psyche and wellbeing. Dealing with the mental anguish with a professional and keeping communication open with your mate is highly recommended. The picture of Peyronie’s Disease is not a pretty one to imagine or to go through.

Peyronies Fast Fact: At the time in a man’s life when he may be entering male menopause at around ages 45-60 is when he is most likely to get Peyronie’s disease.