Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsPeyronie’s Disease StagesWhen to See a ProviderTaking Care of Your Mental HealthFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Peyronie’s Disease GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Peyronie’s Disease
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Peyronie’s Disease Stages
When to See a Provider
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Peyronie’s Disease Guide
This article will go over the stages and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease, including when you should see a provider.
Laura Porter / Verywell
Peyronie’s Symptoms and Complications
Most of the major symptoms of Peyronie’s disease are physical. However, changes in a person’s erection can also lead to sexual or psychological dysfunction. Both types of symptoms can be addressed with treatment.
Not all cases of Peyronie’s disease need treatment and, other than the penis curvature, many symptoms get better with time.
Curvature of the Penis
These hardened plaques are not very flexible, so the penis bends toward them as it becomes erect. The plaques can also tighten around the penis (like a belt around the waist) and give it an hourglass shape.
The extent of curvature of the penis depends on the number, position, and size of the plaques. Plaques may not yet have formed in people who have active disease, which is why their penises do not look curved.
The scars can be felt under the surface of the skin of thepenisand may feel like a ridge of smallbumps.In severe cases, the plaques may harden (calcify) until they’re as hard as bone.
For healthcare providers to see the curvature, the penis has to be erect. Providers may use anintracavernosalinjection test to cause anerectionin the office. The size of the plaque(s) and how angled it is will also be measured to help a provider make treatment recommendations.
Pain During Erection
Pain during arousal and intercoursecan be common during the early, active stage of Peyronie’s. The pain usually decreases with time, as the scarring in the penis gets more stable. For many people, the pain generally goes away over the course of a year, and the curvature should also stabilize.
Difficulties with Erection and Sex
Problems with sex can develop if a person’s penis is curved in a way that makes penetration difficult or painful—both for the person with Peyronie’s or their sexual partner. Changes in self-image and other stresses related to Peyronie’s also contribute to difficulties with sex.
In rare cases, people with Peyronie’s disease may no longer be able to engage in any kind of sexual penetration. However, treatment can often help restore at least some sexual function to even people with significant functional impairment and extreme penile curvature from Peyronie’s.
Shortening of the Penis
Just asscar tissueon one side of the penis makes it harder for that area to stretch, scar tissue on both sides of the penis, or through the penis, can cause the penis to get shorter. Shortening of the penis is more likely to happen if there is extensive scarring from Peyronie’s.
Mental Health Concerns
Peyronie’s disease can have a negative effect on a person’s mental health and may even contribute to conditions like depression.
If you’re dealing with Peyronie’s, it’s important to think about your mental health as well as your physical and sexual wellbeing.
Be aware of the signs of depression, including:
Peyronie’s disease is classified as eitheractivedisease orstabledisease.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Treatments for Peyronie’s disease are usually the most effective early in the disease before there is any visible penile curvature.
If you’re having pain during erections, make an appointment with a urologist—especially if you’ve had a recent trauma to your penis. For example, you felt a sharp pain during sex or noticed unusual swelling.
There may be things your provider can do to help, even if you don’t have Peyronie’s disease. They may also suggest that you give the condition time to stabilize before you try any treatments. For many people with minimal penile curvature, no pain, and no difficulty with sex, treatment is not really needed.
If you have already been diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease and your curve has gotten worse, more painful, or started to make sex difficult, talk to your provider. More invasive treatments aren’t typically used until after the condition has stabilized. However, your provider will want to know if your symptoms are getting worse.
You should also check in with your provider if your curve has stabilized in a way that is making sex challenging or painful for you or your sexual partner(s). That’s the point at which more invasive treatment options can start to make sense.
When to See a Mental Health Professional
Stress and depression are common reactions to changes in sexual function or shortening of the penis.These symptoms can cause some patients with Peyronie’s disease to experience mental health symptoms because they feel strongly that the size and function of their penis is a core part of their identity.
Research suggests that erectile dysfunction from Peyronie’s disease may be more distressing to people than the symptoms themselves.Therefore, if you have Peyronie’s disease, it’s important to find someone to talk to.
Working with a therapist can provide a safe place for you to explore how you feel about penile curvature, as well as how it is affecting your life. Being able to come to terms with the new shape of your penis will likely help you feel better and improve your sexual function.
Sex Therapy
If Peyronie’s disease is affecting your sex life, it may also be a good idea to speak with a sex therapist.These mental health providers are specially trained in dealing with sexual health problems, and they can work with you and your partner to find ways to make your sex life less stressful and more pleasurable for you both.
For some people, taking the emphasis off of intercourse can allow for more enjoyable sexual exploration. For others, reducing stress associated with the condition can allow them to get rid of expectations and return to the enjoyment of penetrative sex.
Exercises for Peyronie’s Disease
Summary
The symptoms of Peyronie’s disease can affect your physical and mental health. Symptoms like a curvature to your penis, apparent shortening of your penis, and difficulty with erections and sexual intercourse could all be signs that you have Peyronie’s. If you think you may have Peyronie’s, it’s important to see your provider for a diagnosis.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsIt may be. Scarring during the acute phase of the disease may not go away. The pain that occurs early on will subside, but any changes in the appearance of the penis due to scarring will remain unless treated, typically with surgery.If Peyronie’s disease isn’tdiagnosedandtreatedat the first signs of pain, the injured tissue is likely to form the plaques (scars) that force the penis out of its normal shape. Around 20% of the time, Peyronie’s will resolve without scarring, 40% of the time it will stabilize, and 40% of cases will become progressively worse.
It may be. Scarring during the acute phase of the disease may not go away. The pain that occurs early on will subside, but any changes in the appearance of the penis due to scarring will remain unless treated, typically with surgery.
If Peyronie’s disease isn’tdiagnosedandtreatedat the first signs of pain, the injured tissue is likely to form the plaques (scars) that force the penis out of its normal shape. Around 20% of the time, Peyronie’s will resolve without scarring, 40% of the time it will stabilize, and 40% of cases will become progressively worse.
Causes and Risk Factors of Peyronie’s Disease
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Terrier JE, Nelson CJ.Psychological aspects of Peyronie’s disease.Transl Androl Urol. 2016;5(3):290–295. doi:10.21037/tau.2016.05.14
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