Thank you for taking our quiz "Do I have Erectile Dysfunction?"

Your answers indicated that you may have a condition called Peyronie’s disease, because of a change in your erection such as a bend, indentation, lump or pain in the penis.

Below is some information about the condition including treatment options.

We hope this information is useful, and if you have any concerns at all, please call Dr Love’s offices on 1800 DR LOVE (1800 375 683) or click here to make an appointment to discuss your individual symptoms.

Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie’s disease is a condition where the patient experiences penile curvature, indentation or a lump that can be felt in the penis.

There is also often a loss of penile length (with or without pain) upon erection. Erectile dysfunction, of some degree, is also found to occur in up to 90% of men with Peyronie’s disease.

These symptoms can appear in men of all ages but is most commonly present in men over 50.

What are the symptoms of Peyronie's disease?

Penile Deformity

Peyronie’s disease can result in bends or curvature, indentation, narrowing, or loss of length in the penis. All of these can interfere with the ability to engage in sexual activity and penetration.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Peyronie’s disease can also be associated with a reduction in rigidity, or hardness of erections. Most commonly the plaque or scar stops blood being trapped in the penis properly, so it is difficult to get or keep a strong erection. Correction of the curvature only, via surgery, usually will not lead to correction of Erectile Dysfunction. So, if a patient has ED as well as Peyronie’s disease, then treatment options exist that will correct both problems, such as Penile Implant Surgery.

Psychological Impact

The effects of Peyronie’s disease have been recognised to have a potentially serious psychological impact, including causing depression and anxiety disorders. The effects of Peyronie’s disease are not something you have to put up with or live with for the rest of your life. Successful treatment options are available that can help you live a full and satisfying life.

What causes Peyronie's Disease?

The cause of Peyronie’s disease is not well understood, but it is likely there is genetic predisposition in most men who develop the condition.

In most cases, the disease is a result of inflammation and plaque (or scar) formation after repeated minor (and unrecognised) trauma to the penis; most commonly occurring during sexual intercourse. Usually this is not obvious “trauma” but more likely minor bending (“wear and tear”) of the penis during normal sexual activity leading to “fraying” and damage to the fibrous support beams in the penis.

The deformity of the penis is due to plaque formation that is, in fact, a thick scar tissue. Scar tissue is not elastic and does not stretch, so this scarring can create curvature of the penis upwards, downwards, or sideways – wherever the scar tissue is situated, when the rest of the penis fills with blood and enlarges during an erection.

Play Video

Video: Dr Christopher Love discusses Peyronie's disease

Dr. Love is one of the most experienced Australian doctors in treating Peyronie’s disease, performing all the surgical techniques available, as well as using Xiaflex injection therapy in appropriate cases.

What are the treatment options for Peyronie's Disease?

There are a number of treatment options available for Peyronie’s disease, that will help to maintain or regain sexual function by straightening the penis.

The type of treatment will depend on your personal circumstances, based on a number of factors including the degree of penile curvature, severity of penile shortening, the presence of penile narrowing, and whether erectile dysfunction is present. We also take into account what you want to achieve and your expectations of the outcome.

There are a number of interventions available including:

  • Oral medications (variable, and sometimes minimal benefit)
  • Verapamil or collagenase (Xiaflex) injections into the plaque
  • Mechanical penile traction and stretching with vacuum devices or external penile extenders, particularly the RestoreX device
  • Surgical penile straightening and reconstruction by plication type adjustment surgery, or incision of scar tissue, with or without grafting.
  • Placement of penile implant or prosthesis with straightening procedure at the same time. A great choice for men who have curvature as well as erectile dysfunction.
  • Penile disassembly surgery with length restoration and penile implant placement. The only procedure that can help length loss caused by Peyronie’s disease.


Treatment for Peyronie’s disease will be different for every different patient, and this is why the individual problem must be assessed and understood, and why there must be a thorough understanding of what can be achieved in each case, and what the expectations of outcome are.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is when a man cannot get or keep an erection firm enough to have successful sexual intercourse.

Erectile Dysfunction is commonly associated with Peyronie’s disease.

It is nothing to be embarrassed about and is a very common problem that affects millions of men around the world.

Most men have experienced difficulty in getting or keeping an erection at one-time in their lives. This is normal and is often related to anxiety or nervousness, having had too much to drink, tiredness or distraction. This does not indicate a problem but could indicate an issue if the difficulties are ongoing.

Solutions are available for this common problem. A consultation with a Urologist who is experienced in evaluating and treating ED is the best starting point, as they will be able to explain the cause of the problem, investigate it correctly, and offer a range of treatments.

Dr Christopher Love specialises in treatment for Erectile Dysfunction. Make an appointment to discuss your personal situation and the options available to you. We do not require a referral from your GP (although it may help reduce the costs of the consultation). You can make an appointment by calling 1800 DR LOVE (1800 375 684) or request an appointment online.