Causes and History of the Peyronie’s Disease

Peyronie's Disease can be both physically and psychologically devastating disease. Though this condition has been known for a very long time (it has been around for centuries) just like other intimate problems, such as erectile dysfunction, it has not been openly discussed and most men who had Peyronie's Disease tried to hide it rather than talk about it.

The first clinical reports on the Peyronie's Disease were registered about 250 years ago by the French surgeon Francois Gigot de la Peyronie. His name is still linked to this condition despite the fact that the first mention of it was done by Cesare Aranzi in 1587.

Francois de la Peyronie was one of the founders of the Royal Academy of Surgery in France and a brilliant surgeon. He was the first to attempt to cure this condition and his comprehensive definition of the causes of Peyronie's Disease (which is still a matter of debates among physicians) given in 1743 is still valid today.

Most doctors agree that one of the potential causes of the Peyronie's Disease could be a microvascular trauma during sexual intercourse. Since the penile layer where this condition develops (the tunica albuginea) is not that rich in blood vessels the consequent healing process is hampered. Thus multiple instances of such traumas and their consequent poor healing can lead to the formation of a plaque. This plaque prevents the normal penis expansion during erection causing the characteristic penile curvature.

Some doctors claim that the Peyronie's Disease occurs only in men genetically predisposed to the accumulation of fibrin (a protein which helps blood clot) within the tunica albuginea. However, this is yet an unproven assumption.

Unfortunately for men who suffer from Peyronie's Disease, this condition is considered non-life-threatening and rare, meaning that only a few professionals are interested in discovering a cure and determining the real causes.