Peyronie Disease

Peyronie’s (pay-roe-NEEZ) disease is a condition in which scar tissue (plaque) in your penis causes it to bend, curve or lose length or girth (circumference). You may be able to feel the scar tissue through your skin, or you may have pain in a specific part of your penis as the scar tissue forms. When you have an erection, your penis may bend up, down or to the side, depending on the location of your scar. Some people who have Peyronie’s disease don’t have a curve, but might have an indentation that gives their penis an “hourglass” appearance.

Most men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) don’t have perfectly straight erections. If your penis has a little curve — even if you’ve had the curve your whole life — it doesn’t mean you have Peyronie’s disease.

What are the stages of Peyronie’s disease?

Peyronie’s disease has two stages: acute and chronic.

• Acute Peyronie’s disease. The acute stage lasts between six and 12 months. During this period, a scar forms under the skin of your penis, causing it to curve or change its shape another way. It may be painful when your penis is erect or soft (flaccid).
• Chronic Peyronie’s disease. The scar is no longer growing during the chronic stage. The curvature won’t get any worse. Pain usually goes away during the chronic phase, but it can sometimes continue, especially when you have an erection. Erectile dysfunction (ED) may develop during this phase.

How common is Peyronie’s disease?

Medical experts estimate that about 6% to 10% of people between the ages of 40 and 70 with penises have Peyronie’s disease. It can affect anyone with a penis, but it’s less common at other ages.

Peyronie’s disease may be even more widespread because many people may feel too embarrassed to talk about it with a healthcare provider. It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider any time you have concerns about your sexual health.