Why some men's penises can shorten by five centimeters after 50 years of age

Illustrative photo. Getty Images

As French urologist Antoine Faix explains in an interview with Journal des Femmes, penile deformation and shortening affect 3 to 9% of men over 50. The cause is Peyronie's disease — named after the French surgeon who described it in 1743.

It develops when a fibrotic area — a kind of scar — forms in the sheath that surrounds the cavernous bodies of the penis. Normally, this sheath (tunica albuginea) remains elastic and stretches during an erection, allowing the organ to fill with blood and increase in size. If part of the tissue becomes rigid, it can no longer stretch properly.

As a result, during an erection, the penis begins to curve towards the damaged area. Simultaneously, its length may also shorten. According to Dr. Faix, in some cases, the penis can shorten by 2, 3, 4, or even 5 centimeters. In addition, men may experience pain during erection or notice a deterioration in its quality. However, the set of symptoms is individual: some patients exhibit all signs of the disease, while others show only some of them.

Why?

The exact causes of the disease are not fully understood, but experts identify several risk factors. Heredity can play an important role. This is especially true for families where other fibrotic diseases occur, such as Dupuytren's contracture, which causes a gradual curving of the fingers, or Ledderhose disease, where similar changes develop in the tissues of the feet.

It is also believed that micro-injuries during sexual intercourse can contribute to the development of the disease. In some cases, scar tissue forms afterward, which triggers the development of the condition. Additional risk factors include arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Despite the fact that Peyronie's disease is not life-threatening and severe forms are relatively rare, its consequences can significantly impair the quality of life. In some cases, the curvature reaches 45, 60, or even 90 degrees. This makes sexual intercourse difficult or completely impossible.

Many men find the psychological consequences particularly hard to bear. Sudden changes in their own body can cause severe stress, a drop in self-esteem, and even depression. According to the urologist, he has encountered patients with suicidal thoughts. Moreover, the problem affects not only the man himself but also his partner.

Is it possible to be cured?

Complete cure of the disease is currently impossible, but there are methods that can alleviate its manifestations and slow its progression. Anti-inflammatory drugs, low-intensity shockwave therapy, and hyaluronic acid injections are used to combat pain. If erection problems arise, drugs from the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor group, including sildenafil or tadalafil, may be prescribed.

In cases where the deformation remains stable for at least six months and does not respond to other treatment methods, surgical intervention is considered. In the most severe situations, implant placement may be necessary.

Experts emphasize that the main thing is not to ignore the first symptoms and consult a urologist in a timely manner. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of the disease, improve the patient's condition, and prevent further worsening of the situation.

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