How Peyronie’s Disease Impacts Intimacy, Relationships, and Divorce — Insights from a Georgia Divorce Law Firm
Marriage is built on many pillars — trust, love, communication, intimacy, and mutual support. But when serious health issues arise, those pillars can be shaken. One condition that many people don’t talk about openly, but which can have a major impact on marriage and even lead to divorce, is Peyronie’s disease.
Peyronie’s disease is a medical condition that causes the penis to curve or bend due to scar tissue, often making intimacy painful or even impossible. For couples in Georgia, it’s not just a physical issue — it’s an emotional and relational one.
Many spouses feel rejected, unwanted, or frustrated, and the stress can spill over into every area of the marriage. Over time, Peyronie’s disease can contribute to marital breakdown, arguments, infidelity, and ultimately, divorce.
As divorce lawyers, we at The Sherman Law Group have seen how Peyronie’s disease — and other medical and intimacy-related issues — can play a central role in the decision to end a marriage.
This blog post will explain Peyronie’s disease, how it affects relationships, and what you should know if it is impacting your marriage and possibly leading to divorce in Georgia.
Peyronie’s Disease Explained
What Is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s disease occurs when fibrous scar tissue develops inside the penis, causing it to bend during erections. This condition can range from mild to severe. Some men experience only a slight curve, while others may have pain, difficulty with penetration, or complete inability to engage in sexual activity.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Injury or microtrauma during sex or physical activity
- Genetic predisposition
- Age (more common in men over 40)
- Related conditions (e.g., diabetes, erectile dysfunction, or connective tissue disorders)
Symptoms
- Curvature or bending of the penis during erection
- Lumps or scar tissue under the skin
- Shortening or narrowing of the penis
- Pain during erection or intercourse
- Difficulty maintaining an erection
Peyronie’s Disease and Its Impact on Marriage
Loss of Intimacy
Physical intimacy is a key part of most marriages. When Peyronie’s disease makes sex painful, difficult, or impossible, it can lead to frustration, resentment, and emotional distance.
Emotional Toll on Both Partners
- For men: Shame, embarrassment, and reduced self-esteem.
- For women: Feelings of rejection, loss of closeness, and even suspicion of infidelity.
Strain on Communication
Couples often struggle to talk openly about Peyronie’s disease. This silence can deepen the emotional rift, leading to frequent arguments and misunderstandings.
Infidelity and Marital Breakdown
When intimacy breaks down, some spouses may seek sexual fulfillment outside the marriage. In our divorce cases, we’ve seen Peyronie’s disease cited as a factor leading to infidelity and mistrust.
Peyronie’s Disease and Divorce in Georgia
While Peyronie’s disease is a medical issue, the emotional and relational fallout can bring couples to divorce court. Here’s how it may play into a divorce case:
1. Grounds for Divorce
Georgia is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you don’t need to prove fault to end the marriage. However, conditions like Peyronie’s disease often appear in fault-based divorce cases, especially where one spouse accuses the other of abandonment, cruelty, or infidelity.
2. Alimony Considerations
If Peyronie’s disease prevents a spouse from working or earning income, alimony (spousal support) may become a key issue. Judges may consider medical conditions when deciding alimony.
3. Property Division
Peyronie’s disease doesn’t directly affect property division, but medical bills, treatment costs, and lifestyle changes can become part of the financial picture.
4. Child Custody
While Peyronie’s disease itself doesn’t impact custody, the emotional strain on a household can affect children. Courts focus on the best interests of the child, and a parent’s ability to provide a stable home may come into question if marital conflict is severe.
Coping Strategies Before Divorce
Not every marriage facing Peyronie’s disease ends in divorce. Many couples work through the challenges with medical help, therapy, and open communication. Some strategies include:
- Medical Treatment: From injections to surgery, treatment can reduce symptoms.
- Counseling: Both individual and couples therapy can help address emotional struggles.
- Sexual Therapy: Exploring new forms of intimacy can help maintain closeness.
- Support Groups: Talking with others facing Peyronie’s disease can reduce isolation.
Peyronie’s Disease and Divorce: Stories from Georgia Couples
As divorce attorneys, we’ve seen many situations where Peyronie’s disease contributed to a marital breakdown:
- A wife who felt neglected after her husband withdrew emotionally because of his condition.
- A husband who discovered his wife had started an affair, citing “sexual incompatibility” caused by his Peyronie’s disease.
- A couple who tried years of medical treatments but eventually admitted the emotional distance was too great to repair.
Each story is unique, but the theme is the same: when intimacy suffers, the marriage often struggles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can Peyronie’s disease cause divorce in Georgia?
Yes. While the disease itself isn’t a legal cause, the emotional and intimacy issues it creates often lead to divorce.
2. Can Peyronie’s disease affect alimony?
Potentially, yes. If one spouse can’t work due to the condition or related depression, courts may award alimony.
3. Can Peyronie’s disease be cited as “cruelty” in divorce?
In some cases, yes — particularly if a spouse uses the condition to withhold affection, belittle their partner, or create emotional abuse.
4. Is medical evidence used in divorce cases involving Peyronie’s disease?
Sometimes. Medical records may be presented if health is relevant to alimony or lifestyle claims.
5. Should couples try counseling before divorce?
Absolutely. Counseling and treatment may help save the marriage, but if the relationship is too damaged, divorce may be the best path forward.
(More FAQs can be added to build SEO depth — e.g., treatment options, emotional impact, coping strategies, financial effects.)
6. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to loss of affection in a marriage?
Yes. Many couples report that when intimacy becomes painful or difficult, they stop being affectionate altogether. This emotional distance can cause the marriage to unravel.
7. Is Peyronie’s disease considered a disability in divorce cases?
While Peyronie’s disease is a medical condition, it is not typically classified as a disability in legal terms. However, if it prevents someone from working, it could be factored into alimony decisions.
8. Can Peyronie’s disease cause depression that impacts marriage?
Absolutely. Men with Peyronie’s disease often experience depression, anxiety, or loss of confidence. This mental health strain can create conflict and isolation within a marriage.
9. Can Peyronie’s disease affect a spouse’s decision to file for divorce?
Yes. Some spouses file because they feel rejected, neglected, or frustrated by the lack of intimacy caused by the condition.
10. Do Georgia courts consider sexual incompatibility in divorce?
While “sexual incompatibility” isn’t a legal ground in Georgia, the emotional and practical consequences often become part of the broader divorce discussion.
11. Can Peyronie’s disease be “blamed” in a divorce?
Yes, but usually indirectly. A spouse may cite the lack of intimacy, emotional withdrawal, or even infidelity as reasons for divorce, which were caused or worsened by Peyronie’s disease.
12. How common is Peyronie’s disease in divorce cases?
It is more common than most people realize, but it is rarely spoken about openly. Many couples keep it private, though it may quietly play a role in their divorce decision.
13. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to claims of abandonment?
Yes. If one spouse withdraws entirely from physical and emotional intimacy, the other may claim abandonment.
14. Is Peyronie’s disease relevant to child custody in Georgia?
Not directly. Custody is determined by the best interests of the child, but if the disease causes emotional turmoil at home, it may become indirectly relevant.
15. Should I disclose Peyronie’s disease during my divorce case?
It depends. If it’s relevant to alimony or medical expenses, disclosure may be important. Otherwise, it is often kept private.
16. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to a fault-based divorce in Georgia?
Yes. If the disease results in cruelty, abandonment, or infidelity, it may be tied into fault-based claims.
17. Can Peyronie’s disease make divorce more expensive?
Sometimes. Medical records, expert testimony, and contested claims about intimacy or abandonment can increase legal costs.
18. How does Peyronie’s disease affect spousal support?
If a spouse is unable to work because of the disease or related depression, courts may award longer-term alimony.
19. Can Peyronie’s disease increase the chance of infidelity?
Yes. When intimacy is strained, some spouses look outside the marriage, leading to affairs and divorce filings.
20. Do Georgia judges show sympathy for Peyronie’s disease cases?
Judges are human, and they understand medical struggles. However, they focus primarily on fair division of assets, custody, and support rather than the medical condition itself.
21. Can Peyronie’s disease shorten a marriage?
Yes. Couples may separate earlier than expected if intimacy issues arise and are not resolved.
22. Can Peyronie’s disease worsen existing marital problems?
Definitely. If a marriage already has trust or communication issues, Peyronie’s disease often magnifies those challenges.
23. Should I mention Peyronie’s disease in mediation?
If it is directly relevant to finances or the breakdown of the marriage, yes. Otherwise, mediation can focus on broader issues without going into intimate details.
24. Does Peyronie’s disease affect property division?
Not directly, but medical bills and treatment expenses can become part of the financial picture.
25. Can Peyronie’s disease affect a prenuptial agreement?
Yes. If health conditions are mentioned in the prenup, Peyronie’s disease may be relevant to alimony or support clauses.
26. What if Peyronie’s disease causes my spouse to withhold affection?
This is a common complaint. Over time, withholding affection may be seen as emotional neglect, which can be cited in divorce proceedings.
27. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to claims of cruelty?
Yes, if one spouse uses the condition to shame, belittle, or emotionally harm the other.
28. Is Peyronie’s disease ever used as an excuse in divorce?
Sometimes. A spouse may cite it to justify infidelity, lack of intimacy, or financial problems.
29. Can Peyronie’s disease make reconciliation harder?
Yes. Even with counseling and treatment, many couples find it difficult to rebuild lost intimacy and trust.
30. Should I talk to a divorce lawyer if Peyronie’s disease is destroying my marriage?
Yes. Speaking with an experienced Georgia divorce lawyer like The Sherman Law Group can help you understand your options and protect your future.
31. Can Peyronie’s disease be temporary, or does it always lead to long-term problems?
In some men, Peyronie’s disease improves over time or stabilizes. But for others, it becomes chronic and creates long-term intimacy problems that can strain a marriage.
32. Can Peyronie’s disease affect dating after divorce?
Yes. Many divorced men worry about re-entering the dating world with this condition. It can create anxiety and self-consciousness about starting new relationships.
33. Does Peyronie’s disease ever improve with treatment?
Yes. Medications, injections, traction devices, and surgery can help, but not all cases respond. In divorce cases, treatment history may even become part of financial discussions.
34. Can Peyronie’s disease affect my ability to remarry?
Not legally. But practically, intimacy concerns may affect your readiness for a new marriage. Some clients seek divorce precisely because they want to pursue new relationships without the stress of unresolved intimacy issues.
35. Can Peyronie’s disease affect trust in a marriage?
Yes. A spouse may suspect rejection means lack of love, or even infidelity, when in reality it’s about physical pain. Misunderstandings like this often fuel divorce.
36. Can Peyronie’s disease cause arguments about money?
Yes. Medical treatments can be expensive, especially if they’re not covered by insurance. Financial stress often combines with emotional strain, creating another layer of conflict.
37. Is Peyronie’s disease more common than people realize?
Yes. Studies suggest up to 10% of men may develop Peyronie’s disease, but many never discuss it. Its silence often makes its impact on marriage even harder.
38. Can Peyronie’s disease be cited in divorce paperwork in Georgia?
Typically, no. Georgia divorce petitions usually list grounds like irretrievable breakdown, adultery, or cruelty. However, Peyronie’s disease may be mentioned in supporting documents if relevant to alimony or abandonment claims.
39. Do men with Peyronie’s disease often hide it from their spouses?
Sometimes. Embarrassment may lead to withdrawal, secrecy, or excuses. This secrecy often creates bigger marital rifts.
40. Can Peyronie’s disease affect spousal intimacy counseling?
Yes. Couples often try counseling first. But if intimacy remains impossible, counseling may highlight how far apart spouses have grown, leading to divorce filings.
41. Can Peyronie’s disease cause one spouse to feel trapped?
Yes. If a spouse feels their partner is unwilling to seek treatment or acknowledge the problem, they may feel stuck in a sexless marriage. Divorce often becomes the way out.
42. Does Peyronie’s disease only affect older men?
No. While it’s more common over age 40, it can occur in younger men. Divorce cases involving Peyronie’s disease often involve middle-aged couples, but not always.
43. Can Peyronie’s disease affect communication styles in marriage?
Yes. Couples who can’t openly discuss medical and intimacy issues often build walls around communication. This silence fuels resentment.
44. Can Peyronie’s disease cause one spouse to feel unattractive?
Yes. Many partners mistakenly believe their spouse no longer desires them, which leads to feelings of rejection, insecurity, and conflict.
45. Does Peyronie’s disease ever improve without treatment?
Sometimes. Mild cases can resolve naturally, but many progress. The uncertainty itself can create stress in marriages.
46. Can Peyronie’s disease make divorce more hostile?
Yes. Because the condition is so personal, spouses may argue bitterly about blame, intimacy, and fidelity. This often makes mediation harder.
47. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to emotional neglect claims in divorce?
Yes. If a spouse withdraws emotionally as well as physically, the other may claim neglect as a reason for ending the marriage.
48. Do couples ever stay married despite Peyronie’s disease?
Absolutely. Many find creative ways to maintain intimacy, rely on emotional closeness, and seek treatment together. But for others, the strain becomes too heavy.
49. Can Peyronie’s disease be tied to substance abuse in marriages?
Yes. Some men turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with shame, and this can worsen marital breakdown. Substance abuse is a common companion to intimacy-related stress.
50. What should I do if Peyronie’s disease is destroying my marriage?
You should seek medical care, counseling, and legal advice. If you believe divorce may be the best path forward, consult The Sherman Law Group to understand your rights and protect your future.
51. Can Peyronie’s disease affect a couple’s social life?
Yes. Couples sometimes withdraw from social situations out of embarrassment or tension, which isolates them and strains the marriage further.
52. Can Peyronie’s disease impact divorce negotiations?
Yes. If one spouse blames the disease for infidelity or abandonment, negotiations may become more emotionally charged.
53. Can Peyronie’s disease be considered when dividing debt?
Indirectly, yes. If one spouse incurred medical debt for treatment, it may be considered during property division.
54. Does Peyronie’s disease ever come up in divorce mediation?
Yes, but usually in sensitive or indirect ways. Couples may discuss intimacy issues, abandonment, or finances related to the disease.
55. Can Peyronie’s disease affect whether a spouse gets permanent alimony?
It might. If a spouse cannot work due to the physical or psychological effects of Peyronie’s disease, permanent or long-term alimony may be awarded.
56. Is Peyronie’s disease more difficult for couples with young children?
Yes. Parents may try to shield children from marital stress, but the emotional distance often affects family dynamics.
57. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to anger issues in marriage?
Yes. Men with Peyronie’s disease may express frustration through anger, which can escalate conflicts and damage the relationship.
58. Do some couples grow closer while dealing with Peyronie’s disease?
Yes. In some marriages, the challenge brings couples together as they navigate treatment, explore new forms of intimacy, and strengthen emotional bonds.
59. Can Peyronie’s disease worsen after divorce stress begins?
Yes. Stress can make symptoms worse, and the pressures of divorce may amplify the physical and emotional challenges.
60. Can Peyronie’s disease be seen as abandonment of marital duties?
Some spouses argue this point. Georgia law recognizes abandonment as a ground for divorce, and refusal of intimacy may be cited.
61. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to secrecy about finances?
Yes. One spouse may spend money on private treatments or online remedies without telling the other, leading to mistrust and financial disputes.
62. Can Peyronie’s disease be mentioned in alimony hearings?
Yes, especially if medical expenses are high or the condition affects a spouse’s ability to work.
63. Can Peyronie’s disease cause resentment between spouses?
Yes. Resentment often builds when intimacy declines, treatments fail, or communication breaks down.
64. Is Peyronie’s disease sometimes used as a weapon in divorce arguments?
Yes. Some spouses use it to shame or belittle the other, creating hostility during divorce proceedings.
65. Can Peyronie’s disease affect remarriage settlements in Georgia?
Yes. If a spouse remarries, alimony obligations may change, but Peyronie’s disease could still influence financial negotiations.
66. Do couples often delay divorce because of Peyronie’s disease?
Yes. Many couples struggle for years before deciding to divorce, often hoping treatment will save the marriage.
67. Can Peyronie’s disease impact sexual compatibility arguments in divorce?
Yes. While not a legal ground in Georgia, incompatibility is often raised in mediation and negotiations.
68. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to medical testimony in court?
In some cases, yes. If one spouse argues the condition affects finances, lifestyle, or emotional harm, doctors may provide records or testimony.
69. Can Peyronie’s disease increase the likelihood of contested divorce?
Yes. Because it touches on intimacy, shame, and finances, cases involving Peyronie’s disease often become contested rather than amicable.
70. Can Peyronie’s disease affect property division in high-asset divorces?
Yes. In high-asset cases, treatment costs, sexual dysfunction claims, and emotional damages may all play a role in settlement negotiations.
We Understand Sensitive and Personal Issues--Divorce Lawyer Near Me
Peyronie’s disease isn’t just a medical issue — it’s a relationship issue. It can take a toll on intimacy, self-esteem, and communication, and for many couples in Georgia, it becomes a breaking point that leads to divorce. If you or your spouse is struggling with this condition and your marriage is on the line, know that you don’t have to go through it alone.
At The Sherman Law Group, we understand how sensitive and personal these issues can be. We provide compassionate, discreet, and skilled legal guidance for clients facing divorce and marital breakdown. Whether Peyronie’s disease is part of your story or not, we’re here to help you protect your future, your finances, and your peace of mind.
Call The Sherman Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your options. Together, we’ll find the best path forward.