Breaking the Silence: Why It’s Time to Start the Conversation About Mental Health and Peyronie’s Disease

Discussing sensitive healthcare issues can be challenging, especially when they involve topics we consider private. This is often true for men living with Peyronie’s disease (PD), a medical condition that involves a buildup of fibrous scar tissue under the skin of the penis that can cause curved and sometimes painful erections.¹

What to Know

In addition to the physical symptoms, PD can also negatively affect a man’s mental health, which may include:

• Depression, which affects about 48% of patients with PD²
• Anxiety related to sexual performance and self-image²
• Interpersonal relationship problems, which may include social isolation, restricted intimacy, and reduced sexual satisfaction, was reported by 54% of men with PD.²

Despite these challenges, many men hesitate to seek help, leaving the emotional and physical impact of the disease unaddressed.²

Start the Conversation

It’s time to break the silence around PD and its impact on men’s mental health. Talking openly about this condition can be difficult, but it’s a crucial step toward healing—both physically and emotionally.

By engaging men in open, judgement-free dialogue, we can reduce the stigma, encourage men to seek the help they need, and remind those affected that they are not alone.

Furthermore, proactively discussing mental health can foster early intervention, encourage healthy coping strategies, and promote emotional resilience.

These conversations are key to creating a space where discussing PD and its mental toll is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

Resources

For more information on PD, including common symptoms and nonsurgical treatment options, and to find a specialized urologist, visit these resources:

• Endo’s educational website about PD: talkaboutpd.com
• Men’s Health Network: menshealthnetwork.org/peyronies
• Sexual Medicine Society of North America: smsna.org/patients

References:

1. DiBenedetti DB, Nguyen D, Zografos L, Ziemiecki R, Zhou X. A population-based study of Peyronie's disease: prevalence and treatment patterns in the United States. Adv Urol. 2011;2011:282503.

2. Levine LA. The clinical and psychosocial impact of Peyronie’s disease. Am J Manag Care. 2013;19(4):S55-S61.