Most men have a very slight curve to the erect penis. But approximately 400 men out of every 100,000 suffer from a severe curvature that can make intercourse painful for both partners. This condition is called Peyronie's Disease or fibrous caverositis and referred to the condition of having fibrous scar tissue in the erectile tissue (cavernosa).

Most of the time doctors can diagnose Peyronie's disease based on the quantity of visible plaque even when the penis is flaccid. For a more accurate evaluation, it will require an examination of an erection induced by injecting medicine into the penis in order to better judge the amount of the curvature. An ultrasound scan may be used to better pinpoint the position and amount of the area affected, and to check the blood flow to the area

Physicians still do not agree upon the exact cause of Peyronie's. When scar tissue replaces some of the normal erectile tissue in the penis, an erection cannot symmetrically produce a straight erection, resulting in a curvature. It may also cause a shortening of the penis.

It is thought that the condition may be caused by slow or abnormal healing from trauma from an injury or perhaps medical causes such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Like all ailments, each case of Peyronie's is different. Physicians generally tell most patients to wait at least a year or two with the thought that surgery is a last-resort. Some times the condition will improve over the period of a year or two. Other times a worsening of the condition continues and the degree of curvature increases.

Most men rather than doing nothing at all, try other forms of treatment during this "waiting period" to try to turn the results into a favorable outcome. Some of the best self-treatments available are in the form of traction devices, vitamin E therapy, potassium amonobenzoate, and a few other oral medications available by prescription.

One successful corrective device has been used by clinics and hospitals in the US and Europe by post surgery patients to help with proper healing, and is used as an alternative to surgery. With traction-device treatment, there are no side effects, and are low cost home treatment compared to surgery.