Verapamil, Betamethasone, and Dexamethasone are three types of ointment for Peyronie’s disease. They may be considered a therapeutic option for patients in the early phase. Learn about three available types below.
Ointment for Peyronie’s disease is a treatment option that has drawn attention for its practicality and ease of use. It is mainly considered in the early phases, when plaque formation is beginning and penile curvature is not yet pronounced.
Peyronie’s disease causes fibrous scar tissue to form inside the penis, leading to painful curvature during erection. This condition can cause pain, deformity, and sexual function problems — which requires penile care.
From this perspective, ointments for Peyronie’s disease offer a non-invasive and accessible approach for many patients. However, it is important to remember that effectiveness may vary from person to person. Keep reading to see everything you need to know.
What is ointment for Peyronie’s disease used for?
Topical treatment for Peyronie’s disease aims to maintain good penile functionality before the disease stabilizes. What do we mean by good functionality? When the penis can penetrate the sexual partner and, during movement, does not slip out.
When we take a tablet, it is absorbed in the stomach, enters the bloodstream, and reaches the affected site, where the active ingredient acts.
However, there is a challenge: the active ingredient is not easily absorbed through the skin. This is where complementary therapies come in — such as ointments formulated to facilitate this absorption.
When to use ointment for Peyronie’s disease?
Drug therapy for Peyronie’s disease tends to show better responses in the inflammatory phase, that is, at the onset.
In this phase, the most common symptoms are the development of penile deformity with the penis erect (tortuosity, narrowing, or loss of length) and pain during erection.
Perform a self-exam and, if you identify any of these symptoms, seek a urologist promptly, since it is during this early phase that ointment for Peyronie’s disease and other medical treatments may eventually offer benefits.
Which ointments for Peyronie’s disease are indicated?
Ointments are a topical, non-invasive treatment mainly considered in the early phases of the disease. They act on the skin over the affected area and have been studied for potential anti-inflammatory effects, but treatment response can vary among patients.
Among the most frequently discussed ointments for Peyronie’s disease are verapamil, betamethasone, and dexamethasone. Each has specific properties that may be relevant in different situations and degrees of disease severity.
Verapamil
Verapamil is a medication known for calcium channel blockade, often used for hypertension and cardiac conditions.
In the context of Peyronie’s disease, the ointment may help interrupt the process of fibrous plaque formation, reducing penile curvature and relieving associated pain.
Verapamil was the subject of a study in which patients, after using the ointment combined with an oral medication, underwent surgery to measure how much active ingredient reached the penile fibrosis area.
It was observed that some formulations were able to penetrate the skin and reach the fibrosis. However, it is worth noting that we still do not have all the answers about ointments for fibrosis leading to Peyronie’s, as these were small studies with reduced patient groups, short follow-up, and low certainty.
Therefore, individualized patient assessment and the experience of the treating urologist are very important to define whether the ointment may have any benefit.
Betamethasone
Betamethasone is a potent corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress immune responses. In treating Peyronie’s disease, the ointment may help decrease inflammation around fibrous plaques, relieving pain and penile curvature.
Application should be directly to the site and always under medical guidance. The treatment may last several weeks or months, depending on the patient’s response time.
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone is another potent corticosteroid, similar to betamethasone, used for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. In the context of Peyronie’s disease, the corticosteroid ointment may help reduce inflammation and prevent fibrous plaque growth.
The ointment is applied directly to affected areas, and the regimen can be adjusted according to patient response. It may be an option for patients who did not respond well to other treatments.
Which is the best ointment for Peyronie’s disease?
A study published in 2007 analyzed different ointments for Peyronie’s disease and showed that 15% verapamil gel had the most favorable results. It was applied twice daily for nine months and compared with other options, such as trifluoperazine and magnesium sulfate.
With this regimen, 94.4% of patients had improvement in penile curvature, with a mean 84.7% plaque reduction, complete disappearance of pain during erection, and improved erection quality in 81.8% of cases.
Other ointments tested did not achieve results as expressive as verapamil, which stood out as the most effective option within that study.
Self-medication is not a solution!
It is essential: never self-medicate. Peyronie’s disease causes suffering for men, and because of this, they may seek seemingly easy solutions without professional support and without knowing whether they are appropriate.
Therefore, avoid self-medicating with ointment for penile curvature on your own. Also, avoid treating Peyronie’s with options not fully analyzed for this condition, such as ozone therapy and hyaluronic acid injections.
The best course is to consult a urologist as soon as possible.
How to manage Peyronie’s disease?
Although it can significantly impact men’s lives, there are several treatment options that may help relieve symptoms and, in some cases, address penile curvature.
The choice of treatment depends on the disease phase and symptom severity. In addition, consulting a urologist is essential to define the best approach, particularly because many treatments are more effective during early symptoms.
See the main ways to manage Peyronie’s disease below:
Vitamin E and Colchicine
Vitamin E and colchicine are often recommended in early phases when plaque formation is starting.
Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation — factors that contribute to fibrous plaque formation in the penis.
And which is the best anti-inflammatory for Peyronie’s disease? Colchicine is considered one potential option, as it may reduce inflammation and help prevent scar tissue formation.
This combination may be useful for some patients, helping to slow disease progression and ease symptoms. However, effectiveness can vary from person to person.
Collagenase
Collagenase is an enzyme that helps break down collagen, a key component of fibrous plaques in Peyronie’s disease. This treatment is indicated for more advanced cases, when plaques are well formed and curvature is significant.
It is administered via injections directly into the plaques, helping to dissolve fibrous tissue and reduce curvature.
Injections are usually given in cycles over several weeks. After each cycle, doctors commonly recommend penile stretching exercises to improve treatment effectiveness.
Penis pump
The penis pump may help improve erectile function and reduce curvature by creating a vacuum around the penis, increasing blood flow and stretching tissue. It is mainly considered for early to intermediate phases.
Regular use under medical guidance may help maintain tissue elasticity and prevent curvature progression. It can also support erectile function in men facing difficulties related to Peyronie’s disease.
Shock wave therapy
Shock wave therapy is a non-invasive technique being studied for tissue effects and pain reduction. It may help disrupt fibrous plaques and promote neovascularization, potentially improving circulation and tissue elasticity.
Sessions are generally weekly over several weeks. Each session lasts about 20–30 minutes and is usually well tolerated.
Shock waves may be an option to address curvature and symptoms in some patients with Peyronie’s disease; however, evidence remains limited and results can vary.
When is surgery for Peyronie’s disease necessary?
If previous options do not provide adequate control, or when the condition is associated with loss of penetrative capacity, surgery for Peyronie’s disease may be recommended.
In this operation, penile reconstruction is performed and, depending on the case, a penile prosthesis may be implanted. The goal is to align the penis and re-establish axial rigidity as much as possible, facilitating sexual function. Results may vary according to disease severity, the surgeon’s expertise, and individual conditions.
Topical gel for Peyronie’s disease may be considered in early phases. However, there are still no conclusive studies on its real effectiveness. The ideal approach is to consult a urologist to discuss potential benefits and risks for your case.
Talk to Dr. Paulo Egydio about the most appropriate treatment for Peyronie’s disease
Dr. Paulo Egydio has been helping men with penile curvature for 26 years, tailoring care to each patient.
To receive appropriate guidance, start a pre-analysis with us and schedule an appointment with a urologist. Only individualized clinical evaluation can determine which treatments are indicated for your case.
