What is Peyronie’s Disease?

Peyronie’s disease occurs when plaques (segments of flat scar tissue) form under the skin of the penis. These plaques can cause the penis to bend or become indented during erections. The plaques can often be felt through the skin and can be painful.

What are the Symptoms?

• Bent/curved penis
• Penis hard as bone
• A shorter or “shrunken” penis
• Lumps in the penis
• Painful erections
• Soft erections
• Difficulty with sex due to bent/curved penis

What are the Causes?

• Minor injury to the penis
• Genetic or environmental reasons
• Certain connective tissue disorders
• Having a close family member with Peyronie’s disease
• Certain health issues, such as high blood sugar, tobacco use, or past pelvic trauma

How is it Diagnosed?

• Physical exam
• Injection of a drug into the penis to make it stiff and taking pictures to study how the penis curves
• Dynamic ultrasound to locate plaque, check for calcium buildup, and assess blood flow

How is it Treated?

Most healthcare experts suggest non-surgical treatment for the first 12 months after noticing the disease. Men with minimal curving, no pain, and no sex problems may not need treatment.

Other Treatments

• Certain medications
• Penile injections
• Stretching the penis daily for at least 6 months
• Treatment with ultrasound, radiation, shockwaves, heat, and verapamil on the skin

Surgical Options

Surgery is reserved for men with severe, disabling penile deformities that interfere with sex.

• Making the side of the penis opposite the plaque shorter
• Making the side of the penis that curves longer
• Placing a prosthetic device inside the penis if the man has both Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction