Peyronie's disease occurs when hard scar tissue forms inside the penis, causing it to appear bent, according to the MayoClinic.com. Peyronie's disease is a painful condition that interferes with a man's ability to have a normal erection. While the exact cause of the disease is unknown, it may occur when the penis does not heal properly from a wound caused by an accident, sexual activity or a sports injury. Complications associated with Peyronie's disorder can affect a man's emotional well-being and his ability to participate in sexual activities.
Curvature and Shortening of the Penis
Men who have Peyronie's disease may experience a curved or shortened penis, according to Detroit's Sinai-Grace Hospital. Depending on where the hardened scar tissue, or plaque, forms in the penis, it can cause the penis to bend in various angles such as upward, sideward or downward. If the scar tissue is all around the penis, the penis can take on an hourglass appearance. In addition, the scar tissue can shorten or decrease the length of the penis over time, as it curves to an abnormal position.
Inability to Have Sex
The inability to have sex is a common complication of Peyronie's disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Some men with Peyronie's disease may have a difficult time having sexual intercourse due to the unnatural curvature of their penises, and/or because their erections become painful. Other men may have a difficult time having sex as a result of the stress and anxiety they experience over the appearance of their penises or their sexual abilities.
Erectile Dysfunction
Peyronie's disease can cause some men to have weak erections, according to Detroit's Sinai-Grace Hospital. Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man is unable to achieve or maintain the erection needed to satisfy his partner and/or complete sexual intercourse, according to the website Healthcommunities.com. Peyronie's disease can impair a man's ability to achieve an erection on a regular basis and/or maintain the erection long enough to perform sexual acts. Surgery can be performed to straighten the misshapen penis, but in most cases, surgery alone does not fix the erection problem, according to the website Health Central. Erection problems typically need to be corrected separately with oral medications, steroid injections and/or radiation. Some men with erectile dysfunction elect to have a penile prosthesis implanted at the same time that the scar tissue is removed.
