Peyronie’s Disease: What It Is, Symptoms and Causes

Published On : August 20, 2025 | Last Updated On : February 25, 2026

August 20, 2025

Peyronie’s Disease: What It Is, Symptoms, and Causes

A condition where the fibrous scar tissue is formed under the penile skin is known as Peyronie’s disease. This condition can lead to painful erections and a shorter penis. Early treatment makes it easy to prevent the disease from worsening and improve the symptoms. This condition is not dangerous, but it can significantly impact the quality of life of a person by causing pain, curvature of the penis, and erectile dysfunction.

If you or someone you know is struggling with this condition, it is suggested that you consult an experienced urologist for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. In this guide, we will discuss the symptoms, causes and treatment options available Peyronie’s disease.

What are the Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease?

The formation of fibrous scar tissue can cause a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms one may experience with Peyronie’s disease may include:

The typical symptom one may experience is a curve or bend in the penis that is noticeable.
The plaque may feel under the skin of the penis as a hard tissue. The pain that occurs with or without an erection can be a sign of Peyronie’s disease.
It becomes challenging to maintain an erection in Peyronie’s disease. In some cases, it is observed that men have experienced Erectile Dysfunction before the other symptoms of Peyronie’s disease.
The scar tissue may make the penis shorter. The scar tissue can prevent the tissue from stretching fully, resulting in a shorter penis. Due to the plaque, the erect penis can also appear narrow, indented, and even take the shape of an hourglass.

What are the Main Causes of Peyronie’s disease?

The exact cause of Peyronie’s disease is not understood completely, but some factors that are believed to be the causes of Peyronie’s disease may include:

Genetics is a primary factor in the development of Peyronie’s disease, as this condition can run in families.
Age is another factor that can increase the risk of the condition with age. The tissue in the penis can be injured easily and is less likely to heal properly with age.
Those men with erectile dysfunction and diabetes related conditions can have higher chances of Peyronie’s disease.
Prostate surgery can also increase the risk of developing Peyronie’s disease.
In some cases, lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, can also cause Peyronie’s disease.
Trauma cannot be a single factor that is responsible for Peyronie’s disease. Other risk factors can increase a person’s susceptibility to developing Peyronie’s disease.

Diagnosed with Peyronie’s Disease: What are the next steps?

Diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease is one of the most emotional and challenging experiences in a man’s life. A comprehensive medical treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional support from family or friends can be the next steps after the diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease.

Consultation with an Experienced Urologist

The most important step after the diagnosis is to consult an experienced urologist, like Dr. Shirin Razdan, who is a Peyronie’s disease specialist based in Miami. A specialist can perform a physical exam to confirm the diagnosis, determine the stage of the disease, and offer a comprehensive treatment plan.

Understand the Treatment Options available for the Condition

Non-surgical treatments, like injections, traction therapy, and oral medications, can be helpful to prevent the symptoms of Peyronie’s disease. Surgical treatment options, such as surgery, plication, incision, and penile implant, can be beneficial for preventing Peyronie’s disease.

Surgery is the treatment for the chronic phase of the disease when the symptoms have been stable for 3-6 months. Surgery is considered in the situation when the curvature is severe and makes sexual intercourse difficult.
Plication is the surgical procedure performed for less severe curvatures. In this process, the surgeon places stitches on the opposite side of the curve.
An incision is made to remove a part of the plaque that allows the penis to straighten. This procedure is considered for the severe curves.
Penile Implant is a surgical procedure that is performed in cases where other treatments fail to offer favorable outcomes for erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and treatment of the condition can be helpful to prevent the worsening symptoms of Peyronie’s disease. Suppose you or your loved one has been diagnosed with this condition. In that case, it becomes essential to consult an experienced robotic urologic surgeon, like Dr. Shirin Razdan, based in Miami, who can offer the best solution and help explore all the available options for treating Peyronie’s disease. You can manage the condition and improve the quality of your life by working closely with a skilled urologist.

People May Also Ask About Peyronie’s Disease

Question 1. Can Peyronie’s disease lead to erectile dysfunction?

Answer. Yes, Peyronie’s disease can cause erectile dysfunction. The plaque can prevent the erectile tissue from properly expanding and trapping blood, resulting in a firm erection. The pain and stress associated with Peyronie’s disease can contribute to ED.

Question 2. How long do I need to wait to resolve the condition?

Answer. Solving the condition in mild cases may take around 6-15 months. In some cases, the condition can stabilize or worsen and require therapies. The active phase, in which men experience painful erections and curvature, can last up to 1 year. Some men may experience improved symptoms during this phase, while some may experience worsened symptoms.

Question 3. What are the different phases of Peyronie’s disease?

Answer. The Acute Phase is when the scar tissue is forming. In this phase, one may experience symptoms like pain and curvature of the penis. During this period, the pain and curvature of the penis get worse, and this may last for several months up to a year or more if not treated.

The Chronic Phase is when the scar tissue stops growing and symptoms of the condition stabilize. In this phase, the symptoms like pain during erections often go away, but the penile curvature remains the same.

Question 4. What Lifestyle modifications and Emotional Support would be Helpful for Peyronie’s disease?

Answer. Some lifestyle modifications and emotional support you can make may include:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise.
A balanced diet can be helpful in this phase. Doctors advise quitting smoking to improve the flow of blood.
One may experience stress and anxiety linked to Peyronie’s disease; in this case, you need emotional and psychological support.
Connecting to those with the same condition can help you feel less stressed and alone.