Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the development of fibrotic plaques in the penis, causing abnormal curvature, pain, and difficulties during erection. Learn more about this condition.
An important point—often overlooked by men due to stigma—is overall health. One area that deserves special attention is sexual health. That is why it is essential to evaluate any changes in the body, including changes related to penile anatomy.
In some cases, penile curvature may worsen over time and create difficulties in sexual life, especially when there is no medical follow-up. This type of issue is known as Peyronie’s disease, and in this article you will learn about its causes and treatment options.
What is Peyronie’s disease, and does Peyronie’s disease have a cure?
Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the development of rigid fibrous plaques in the corpora cavernosa of the penis. These plaques can cause an abnormal curvature of the penis during erection, which may be painful and may make sexual intercourse difficult.
This curvature—which can resemble the letter “L”—is only noticeable when the penis is erect. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to changes and seek medical evaluation to identify the issue.
Peyronie’s disease has two main phases. The inflammatory phase is the initial stage, characterized by the appearance of nodules and deformities. During this period, the patient may feel pain, especially during erection or penetration, although not everyone reports this symptom.
In the scarring phase, penile deformity becomes more stable because the fibrotic plaque is more rigid. At this stage, changes in the penis stop progressing, but the curvature may make penetration even more difficult, depending on its severity.
Can Peyronie’s disease go away on its own?
Many men ask whether Peyronie’s disease has a cure. According to Dr. Paulo Egydio, in most cases penile curvature does not disappear spontaneously.
A study published in the Asian Journal of Urology indicates that spontaneous improvement occurs in about 3% to 13% of cases. Therefore, it is not recommended to simply wait for the problem to resolve on its own.
The absence of early diagnosis and appropriate follow-up may, in some cases, compromise penile function.
What causes Peyronie’s disease?
In most cases, Peyronie’s disease is linked to trauma and microtrauma caused by different factors, such as sexual intercourse or accidents.
During sex, for example, when penetration occurs without the penis being rigid enough, it is more susceptible to impacts that, during healing, can form fibrous tissue.
- Penile fractures: in accidents, trauma and fractures can injure tissue, trigger inflammation, and form scar tissue in the penis.
- Congenital penile curvature: a condition in which the penis has a natural curvature from birth due to differences in tissue formation.
- Diabetes: because diabetes can affect healing, injuries in penile tissue may increase the risk of developing Peyronie’s disease.
- Prostate surgery: in some situations, prostate surgery may be associated with Peyronie’s disease, as it can affect normal blood flow to the penis and contribute to scar formation and fibrous plaques.
- Penile fibrosis: the formation of a plaque or nodule in penile tissue that affects elasticity, resulting in curvature. Fibrosis may be associated with narrowing and with the perception of reduced penile length.
Some conditions may be associated with a higher risk of developing the disease, such as diabetes and obesity. Autoimmune conditions have also been reported in association, such as lupus, vitiligo, and multiple sclerosis.
Is Peyronie’s disease hereditary?
Although it is considered an acquired condition, Dr. Paulo Egydio explains that hereditary factors may play a role and make some men more prone to developing Peyronie’s disease.
He also notes that studies associate Peyronie’s disease with other fibrotic conditions, such as Dupuytren’s disease, which causes nodules in the palm, and Ledderhose disease, characterized by hard lumps in the sole of the foot.
According to these studies, men with a family history of these conditions may have a higher risk of developing Peyronie’s disease.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease
Signs and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease to watch for include:
- Palpable nodules or lumps on the penis;
- Narrowing, thinning, or “hourglass” indentation of the penis;
- Penile pain during erection;
- More pronounced penile curvature, especially if penetration is difficult or impossible during sex;
- Erectile dysfunction.
Without appropriate follow-up, Peyronie’s disease may affect physical and emotional health and overall quality of life.
Physically, in addition to erectile dysfunction and pain during erection or intercourse, some men may experience reduced sensation in the glans (hypoesthesia).
Emotionally, Peyronie’s disease may be associated with anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem, often leading to difficulties in intimate relationships. These factors, together with decreased sexual satisfaction, can affect overall well-being and make proper diagnosis and treatment planning essential.
Therefore, do not ignore symptoms.
Does Peyronie’s disease have a cure? See treatment options
Diagnosing Peyronie’s disease is essential to determine the stage of the condition and define the most appropriate treatment—this varies according to symptom severity and the degree of penile curvature.
It is important to discuss the best approach with a urologist based on these factors. In general, options may include:
|
Treatment |
How it works | When it may be indicated | Pros | Cons |
Estimated cost |
| Medications for Peyronie’s disease | May reduce inflammation and help stabilize curvature | Early or acute phase | Non-invasive; accessible | Limited effectiveness in advanced cases | Low to medium |
| Penile injections | Act locally on the plaque and may improve curvature | Cases with well-localized fibrous plaques | Targeted approach | May cause local discomfort; requires repeated sessions | Medium |
| Penis pump | Gradually stretches tissue, which may help reduce curvature | Mild to moderate cases; early phase | Non-invasive | Requires prolonged daily use for meaningful changes | Low to medium |
| Surgery | Removes or adjusts the fibrous plaque; may include penile prosthesis | Severe cases or significant deformity | May offer good outcomes in selected cases | Invasive; longer recovery; surgical risks | High |
| Penile prosthesis implant | Can address deformity and erectile dysfunction in selected cases | Cases with severe associated erectile dysfunction | May help manage deformity alongside erectile dysfunction in specific scenarios | Invasive; higher cost | High |
Early diagnosis can help guide a more appropriate plan with lower therapeutic complexity. For this reason, regular visits with a urologist are important.
Can Peyronie’s disease be prevented?
Some measures may help reduce risk or minimize severity. These include:
- avoiding significant penile injuries;
- practicing safer sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections that may cause inflammation;
- maintaining a balanced diet;
- exercising regularly, including healthy habits, physiotherapy, and/or individualized medical guidance;
- managing chronic medical conditions;
- avoiding smoking;
- having regular medical checkups.
Although Peyronie’s disease does not have a definitive cure, treatment may help improve physical, sexual, and emotional health. Now that you know the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment approaches, and preventive measures, do not ignore changes. A urologist can guide proper evaluation and discuss the most appropriate plan for each case.
Scheduling a medical appointment may be a first step toward taking care of your sexual health and well-being. Do not forget to complete your free pre-assessment on our website.
