Definition of Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's disease develops when a hard lump---also called a plaque---forms in the penis. The plaque will start as a swollen area ultimately developing into a hard scar. They are noncancerous growths and are not contagious.

Causes

• Trauma to the penis, such as invasive penile procedures or injury, can cause Peyronie's disease to develop suddenly. Cases that develop more slowly over time may be due to an inherited abnormality, with the disease occurring more often in men with a family history of the condition.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Peyronie's disease can vary depending on the severity of the condition, and can include pain during erection and curvature of the penis during erections.

Diagnosis

• A visual and physical examination of the penis is usually sufficient for the diagnosis of Peyronie's disease. In some cases, a full evaluation may be required, including examination of the penis while erect and an ultrasound, according to the National Institute of Health.

Treatment

• Peyronie's disease may resolve with no treatment, so some doctors tend to adopt a "wait-and-see" approach. Various medications may be prescribed to halt the progression of the development of the plaque, and low-dose radiation may be utilized to help reduce pain.

Naturopathic Treatment

• More natural methods of treating Peyronie's disease include adopting a proper nutritional diet, and adding various supplements to your daily intake. These measures may be used in addition to conventional medical treatments.