Peyronie’s disease and other common penile disorders

Peyronie’s disease is a common condition affecting the penis and is characterised by fibrosis of the tunica albuginea of the penis. This condition was named after Francois Gigot de la Peyronie in 1749. This condition causes symptoms of curvature of the penis on erection, painful erection, or pain during intercourse, and can lead to emotional or psychological turmoil for the patient. People suffering from the disease can feel a lump or plaque in the shaft of the penis, which can lead to deformity or shortening of the penis. Balanitis, phimosis and paraphimosis, balanitis xerotica obliterans, penile cancer and congenital malformations are other common penile disorders presenting in general practice that require assessment, diagnosis, treatment and occasionally specialist referral.