Causes of Peyronie's Disease
The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is not well understood; however, there are a few potential causes that most Urologist agree likely play a role in the condition.
Trauma
Trauma to the penis is one of the most common causes of Peyronie’s disease. When the penis bends or is struck severely, the penile tissue can tear and lead to an overproduction of collagen during the wound healing process. This excess collagen can reduce normal tissue elasticity and cause painful erections, curvature, and penile deformities.
Genetics
Many patients have a genetic predisposition to Peyronie’s disease and other related fibrotic tissue disorders. A parent or other close relative may have had one or more of these conditions. In some cases, patients with Peyronie’s disease may also develop Dupuytren’s disease (a buildup of plaque in the palm of the hand causing pain and palmar contracture) or plantar fibromatosis (a buildup of plaque in the foot causing pain and difficulty walking).
Medications/ Vitamins/ Supplements
Medications often used for treating high blood pressure that belong to the drug class known as beta adrenergic blocking agents (beta-blockers) have been reported to cause fibrotic tissue disorders. Anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin and certain supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin and large doses of supplemental vitamin C may also promote the production of excess collagen.
Other Conditions
Peyronie's disease has been associated with a number of conditions including diabetes, gout, and heart disease. Some research suggest that Peyronie's disease may be an autoimmune disorder. It has been theorized that repeated minor trauma to the tissue in penis might trigger the immune system to respond to heal the injury; however, the body is improperly responds and produces excess fibrotic tissue or fibrotic plaque.