HJAR Nov/Dec 2022

44 NOV / DEC 2022 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS DIALOGUE COLUMN UROLOGY THE Unkindest CURVE These plaques form in the tunica albuginea, the stretchy sheath that covers the corpora cavernosa, the spongy chambers inside the penis that fill with blood to make the pe- nis erect. Often, these plaques can be felt through the skin as hardened, cord-like le- sions. In severe cases, plaques can become calcified. Research indicates that up to 1 in 11 men between the ages of 40 and 70 have Peyro- nie’s disease. 1 Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease Because the plaques that characterize Peyronie’s disease aren’t able to stretch as much as the rest of the tunica albuginea, as the penis becomes erect, they cause the penis to bend or deform. Imagine putting a strip of packing tape on a long balloon, then trying to inflate it. The same principle is MANY men have a slight, congenital curve in their erect penis. For most, this is perfectly normal and doesn’t interfere with healthy sexual activity. However, for around 65,000 men in the U.S. diagnosed every year with Peyronie’s Disease, a curve in the penis is anything but normal and can severely im- pact their sexual health and self-esteem. What is Peyronie’s disease? Diagnosed in men of all ages but most commonly seen in patients between the ages of 40 and 70, Peyronie’s disease (pro- nounced pay-roe-NEEZ) is a form of con- nective tissue disorder characterized by the development of scar tissue, which can cause the shaft of the penis to curve or deform dur- ing erections, sometimes painfully. Peyronie’s disease is characterized by flat, fibrous scar tissue segments called plaques. Peyronie’s disease can severely impact sexual health, with up to 1 in 11 men diagnosed in their lifetime. behind why the penises of those with Peyro- nie’s disease tend to curve when erect. Though plaques most commonly occur on the dorsum of the penis, they can occur anywhere in the tunica albuginea. Depending on the location of the scar tissue, the disease can cause the penis to bend up, down or to the side. Some patients with Peroynie’s dis- ease have no curve at all but may develop indentations, lumps, or an hourglass shape in the shaft of the penis while erect. Peyro- nie’s disease can also cause the erect penis to lose girth or length. While Peyronie’s disease doesn’t impact fertility and isn’t cancerous, pre-cancerous, or contagious, it can make intercourse or other forms of sexual activity painful or difficult. Some patients may also experience erectile dysfunction or condition-related depression.