Editorial
Written byMen's Health Istanbul Editorial Team
Medical reviewer (awaiting sign-off)Prof. Dr. Zülfü Sertkaya
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The short answer
Peyronie's disease is a condition in which scar tissue, called a plaque, forms in the tough outer layer of the erection chambers of the penis. Because the scarred area does not stretch like the rest, the erect penis can bend, narrow, develop a dent or become shorter. It often starts with pain or a lump during erections, then settles into a stable phase. It is not cancer, it is not contagious and it is not a sexually transmitted infection. Treatment depends on the phase and how much it affects sex, ranging from monitoring to injections, traction or surgery.
Key takeaways
- Peyronie's disease is scar tissue in the penis that can cause a bend, dent, narrowing or shortening during erections.
- It usually has an active phase, often with pain, and a later stable phase.
- Pain often settles with time; the bend improves on its own less often.
- Treatment ranges from monitoring to injections, traction and surgery, and is chosen according to the phase and its effect on sex.
What is Peyronie's disease?
The penis contains two long erection chambers wrapped in a tough, elastic sheath called the tunica albuginea. During an erection, that sheath stretches evenly, which is why the penis becomes straight and firm. In Peyronie's disease, a patch of scar tissue (a plaque) forms in the sheath. The scarred patch does not stretch, so the penis bends towards it during erections, or develops a dent or a narrowed "waist".
The condition is named after François de la Peyronie, an 18th-century French surgeon who described it. It is not new, it is not rare, and it is something urologists see regularly.
Is a curved penis always Peyronie's disease?
No. Many men have a slight natural curve that they have had since puberty, and it is not a disease. Some men are born with a more noticeable bend, known as congenital curvature. What points towards Peyronie's is change: a bend that appears or worsens in adult life, often with a lump, pain or shortening.
What are the symptoms of Peyronie's disease?
- a new or worsening bend during erections, upwards, downwards or to one side;
- a firm lump or band that can be felt under the skin of the shaft;
- pain during erections, particularly early on;
- a dent, narrowing or "hourglass" shape;
- loss of length;
- difficulty with penetration, or erectile problems.
The emotional side matters too. Worry, low mood and avoiding intimacy are common, and guidelines recognise them as part of the condition, not a side issue.
What causes Peyronie's disease?
The exact cause is not fully understood. The most widely accepted explanation is that small, often unnoticed strains to the erect penis, for example during sex, trigger a healing process that goes wrong and lays down too much scar tissue. Some men seem more prone to this. The condition is linked with Dupuytren's contracture (a thickening in the palm of the hand), and it appears more often in men with diabetes and in older men. It is not caused by an infection and cannot be passed on to a partner.
Does Peyronie's disease get worse?
It usually moves through two phases.
- The active (acute) phase. The plaque is forming, the bend may be changing and erections may be painful. This phase typically lasts months.
- The stable (chronic) phase. The pain usually settles and the curve stops changing.
Pain often eases on its own with time. The curve itself improves without treatment far less often, and in some men it gets worse during the active phase. Knowing which phase a man is in is central to planning treatment.
How is Peyronie's disease treated?
Treatment depends on the phase, the degree and direction of the bend, erection quality and, above all, whether sex is still possible and comfortable.
- Watching and waiting is reasonable for a mild bend that does not interfere with sex.
- Tablets and supplements have a limited role. The AUA guideline advises against several oral options once widely used, such as vitamin E, because good evidence of benefit is lacking.
- Injections into the plaque can reduce the curve in selected men. Which medicines are used, and whether they are available, varies between countries.
- Traction therapy, a device that gently stretches the penis for set periods, is used by some men, often alongside other treatment.
- Surgery is generally reserved for the stable phase, when the bend makes sex difficult. Options include shortening the longer side, grafting the shorter side or, for men who also have significant erectile dysfunction, a penile implant.
Before surgery, a doctor may use an ultrasound scan to assess the plaque and blood flow. Our article on what a penile Doppler measures explains that test.
When to see a doctor
If you notice a new bend, a lump or painful erections, it is worth seeing a urologist or andrologist rather than waiting to see what happens. An early assessment establishes a starting point, helps with pain and keeps every option open. For more detail on assessment and treatment, see our Peyronie's disease guide.
Questions men also ask
Is Peyronie's disease caused by something I did?
The exact cause is not fully understood. The leading explanation is minor, often unnoticed, strain to the penis during sex combined with an abnormal healing response, so it is not a sign of doing anything wrong.
Does Peyronie's disease go away on its own?
Pain often eases as the condition stabilises, and a small number of men see the curve lessen. For most, the bend stays about the same or changes during the active phase, which is why assessment is worthwhile.
Can Peyronie's disease cause erectile dysfunction?
It can. Some men with Peyronie's also have erectile difficulties, either from changes in the tissue or from worry about sex, and both issues are usually assessed together.
Sources & further reading
- Journal of Urology Peyronie's Disease: AUA Guideline (opens in a new tab) (2015) Nehra A, et al.
- EAU EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health (opens in a new tab) (2024) European Association of Urology
- European Urology European Association of Urology Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health—2021 Update: Male Sexual Dysfunction (opens in a new tab) (2021) Salonia A, et al.
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This article is general health information. It does not replace an individual medical consultation, examination or diagnosis. Read our editorial policy and medical review policy.
