Peyronie's Disease: A Clear Overview

What is Peyronie's disease?

Peyronie's disease is a condition in which scar tissue, called plaque, forms inside the penis. This plaque can cause the penis to bend or curve, often noticeably, during an erection. It can also lead to pain, a reduction in length or girth, and in some cases difficulty with erections. The condition is benign and not cancerous, but it can be distressing and affect both sexual function and confidence.

What causes it?

The exact cause is not always clear, but the leading explanation is that minor, often unnoticed injury to the penis during activity heals abnormally, leaving scar tissue rather than healthy, flexible tissue. Certain factors appear to increase the likelihood of developing it:

• Increasing age
• A family history of the condition
• Certain connective-tissue disorders
• Some cases following pelvic or prostate surgery

It is important to stress that Peyronie's disease is more common than many men realise, and is not a sign of anything you have done wrong.

Recognising the phases

Peyronie's disease often progresses through two broad phases:

• An acute phase, lasting several months, when pain and changes in curvature can develop and may worsen.
• A stable phase, when symptoms settle and the curvature usually stops changing. Pain often eases during this phase.

Because the curvature can change over time, doctors usually want to assess the condition more than once before deciding on treatment.

How is it diagnosed?

A doctor will typically take a history and examine the penis, sometimes asking for a photograph of the erection taken at home to assess the curve. In some cases an ultrasound scan is used to locate the plaque and assess blood flow. Diagnosis is important not only to confirm Peyronie's disease but also to rule out other causes of curvature or pain.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on how much the condition bothers you, how severe the curvature is, and whether you have erectile difficulties alongside it. Options a clinician may discuss include:

• Watchful waiting, since mild cases sometimes stabilise without major intervention.
• Oral or injectable treatments aimed at the plaque, used in selected cases.
• Devices intended to gently stretch the tissue.
• Surgery, usually reserved for stable, severe curvature that prevents intercourse.

Where erectile dysfunction occurs alongside Peyronie's disease, PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil or tadalafil may be considered to support erections. These are prescription medicines, must never be taken with nitrate medicines, and should always be used after a proper assessment. Our erectile dysfunction explained page and Sildenafil guide provide further background, and you can review the erectile-dysfunction range if a treatment has been recommended for you.

The emotional side

Peyronie's disease can affect self-esteem, relationships and intimacy. It is common to feel anxious or low about the changes, and these feelings are valid. Speaking openly with a partner, and with a healthcare professional, can make a real difference. Some men also benefit from psychological support, particularly when anxiety begins to affect erections.

When to seek help

You should see a doctor if you notice a curve, lump, pain or change in your erections. Early assessment allows the condition to be monitored through its phases and gives you the widest range of options. There is no need to manage this alone, and effective support is available.

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General information only — not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting any medication.