The facts are that Peyronie's disease is not a disease of penis tissue in the way that other true diseases (tuberculosis, shingles, osteoarthritis, etc.) affect the body.
The diagnosis that brings men to this website is commonly called Peyronie’s disease. Even so, by strict definition it is not a disease of penis tissue. The term continues to be used only because for 450 years it has been associated with a unique and perplexing list of symptoms that can ruin a man’s life. The name has stuck, even though it is not accurate.
A disease is typically acquired by way of direct or indirect transmission or communicability from one person to another, resulting in an altered state of health or condition of the body that is typically associated with extreme pain, significant and limiting organ or system failure, social problems, and even death. Each element of this definition can be compared to Peyronie’s disease to see if it fulfills the criteria of a disease.
1. Transmission – It is not possible to pass Peyronie’s disease along to a sexual partner. Since it is not possible to catch Peyronies from someone else, it does not fulfill the first part of this definition.
2. Pain – Peyronie’s disease rarely causes extreme pain. In about 10% of cases there is no pain at all, and 50-75% of cases have only mild to dull pain that is irregularly and sporadically experienced. On the basis of pain, Peyronies does not fulfill that part of the definition.
3. Organ or system failure – The genitourinary system, of which the penis is only a part, continues functioning carrying urine in all cases, and has reduced sexual function in about half of PD cases. Since PD does not cause genitourinary failure, it does not fulfill that part of the definition.
4. Societal problems – While a Peyronie’s curved penis plays havoc personally with the man who deals with it, the problem is typically kept quietly away from society. It does not affect society like tuberculosis, syphilis, alcoholism, the flu or measles. On a societal basis Peyronies does not fulfill that part of the definition.
5. Fatality – Peyronie’s disease is never fatal except to a man’s sex life, and once again does not fulfill that part of the definition.
Not a disease of the penis
Occasionally a man will ask how he should explain his Peyronie’s condition to a new female partner. He instinctively knows that simply telling a new sexual partner he has a penis “disease” might cause her to reject him before she knows the facts.
The first thing I caution is for him to not mention the common name of Peyronie’s disease since any woman can make the natural assumption that this disease is contagious, that it requires extensive treatment and that it might be fatal – like any true disease.
Further, I explain, “You want to be honest and accurate when you tell this new woman about your problem. Just do not mention you have ‘Peyronie’s disease.’ You do not have a true disease of penis tissue, so do not create a problem for her or yourself that neither of you deserve.” I then explain that accuracy and fairness demands a description of what is wrong with you, while avoiding the term “Peyronie’s disease.”
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What is the best way to treat my Peyronie’s disease?
How do I start? ► It’s really easy. Click on Start Peyronie’s Treatment
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Simply say, “I injured myself a few years ago, and now I have an excess of internal scar tissue that has caused some penile curvature. You cannot be injured because the problem is internal scar tissue. I am not as straight or large as I was before this scar material developed, but I am otherwise very healthy. There is no current medical treatment for this problem, although Alternative Medicine can be very effective in stimulating a healing response. Because of the internal scarring it is necessary that we use a lot of lubrication and that I am careful not to reinjure it. Ask me anything question you want and I will do the best I can to answer.” Simple.
Answer her questions honestly and forthrightly. I have never met a man who has gotten into trouble or lost a woman in a new relationship if he offers this type of honest description of his problem.
If you wish to learn more about this condition usually called Peyronie’s disease, or Peyronie’s disease treatment, please review our website and blog for additional information.