Every male has individual curves to his penis when it becomes erect. These curves and angles are quite normal. However, in approximately 1% of men, painful curvature makes penetration impossible, leading to a diagnosis of a condition known as Peyronie’s (pay- ra-NEEZ) disease (C. J. Smith et al., 2005). Typically this happens between the ages of 45 and 60, although a younger or older man could also experience Peyronie’s.
Peyronie’s disease occurs in the connective tissue of the penis, and although some cases are asymptomatic, others develop penile nodules, which can cause severe erectile pain (Gelbard, 1988). No one knows what causes Peyronie’s disease. It is possible that crystal deposits in the connective tissue, trauma, excessive calcium levels, or calcification may contribute to this disorder (Gelbard, 1988). Usually this disease lasts approximately 2 years and may go away just as suddenly as it appears. It is often treated with medication or surgery (Austoni et al., 2005).