Peyronie’s disease is a urological condition characterized by the formation of scar tissue, known as plaque, within the tissues of the penis. This plaque can result in curving the penis and changing its shape during an erection. The condition may be associated with pain, loss of penile length, or difficulty with sexual intercourse.
Although Peyronie’s disease can be distressing, a range of treatment options are available to manage it. An early assessment can help evaluate the stage of the condition and determine the most suitable approach for your individual case.
At Jumeirah American Clinic in Dubai, specialist assessment and treatment for Peyronie’s disease and penile curvature is available, ranging from conservative and non-invasive methods to more advanced approaches such as injection treatments and reconstructive surgery.
Peyronie’s disease develops when fibrous scar tissue, or plaque, forms within the penis. This makes the affected tissue lose its ability to stretch normally during an erection, causing the penis to develop a bend or indentation.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease can vary significantly from case to case. Some men only experience a mild curvature, while others may develop more significant changes that affect sexual function or confidence.
Common symptoms include:
Peyronie’s disease is not the same condition as a penile curvature that develops from adolescence. A detailed assessment can help distinguish Peyronie’s disease from congenital penile curvature and determine the appropriate treatment plan.
Penile curvature describes the bending or angulation of the penis, usually noticeable during an erection.
A slight degree of curvature can be normal. However, if the curvature develops later in life, progressively worsens, causes pain, or makes sexual intercourse difficult, it should be assessed by a specialist.
Penile curvature can be classified as:
Identifying the underlying cause of curvature is an important first step in determining the right treatment.
The course of Peyronie’s disease changes over time and is typically marked by an active phase followed by a stable phase.
During this phase, the plaque and curvature may continue to develop or change. Pain is more common at this stage during erections.
Treatment during this period focuses on managing symptoms and, where necessary, using treatments targeting the active disease.
A stable phase for Peyronie’s disease is typical when the curvature and penile shape have remained unchanged for a period of time and pain has generally settled.
For men with significant curvature compromising sexual function, surgical correction could be an option during the stable phase.
The timing and eligibility for treatment vary between individuals and require specialist assessment.
Not all cases of Peyronie’s disease require surgery. Treatment is generally decided based on the degree of the curvature, stage of the condition, the presence of pain or erectile dysfunction, and personal priorities.
Low-intensity shockwave therapy may be considered as an option for men whose pain is associated with the active phase of Peyronie’s disease.
Treatment involves the use of low-intensity sound waves, carefully delivered to the affected area over a series of outpatient sessions.
Shockwave therapy may help reduce penile pain, but it should not be considered as a treatment aimed at straightening significant penile curvature.
Hyaluronic acid injections may be considered for selected patients during the active phase of Peyronie’s disease.
The treatment involves injecting hyaluronic acid into or around the area affected by plaque, aiming to manage the condition and support the tissue during the active stage.
Your specialist will assess your eligibility for this treatment based on the features and stage of your disease.
Collagenase injections may be considered as a non-surgical treatment option for appropriately selected men with stable Peyronie’s disease.
The medication is injected directly into the plaque area and works by breaking down collagen within the scar tissue. This treatment is generally combined with a structured program of penile modelling or stretching to achieve the desired outcomes.
To understand if collagenase is a suitable treatment choice depends on factors including the location and nature of the plaque, the severity of curvature, and individual clinical circumstances.
Surgery may be ultimately considered when Peyronie’s disease causes significant curvature, affects sexual intercourse, or when there has been inadequate improvement with non-surgical treatments.
Choosing the right surgical technique depends on the severity and direction of the curvature, penile length, erectile function, and the patient's personal priorities.
Plication procedures are intended to straighten the penis by shortening the longer side opposite the plaque, making both sides align well.
This may be suitable for men with mild to moderate curvature and good erectile function and typically involves a less complex reconstruction than plaque incision and grafting.
A possible limitation is some reduction in penile length, which will be explained during consultation.
For men with more severe or complex penile curvature, plaque incision with grafting may be an appropriate treatment option.
Here, the plaque is carefully incised to release the curvature. This step is followed by placing a graft to restore the shape of the penis.
This may be the preferred option when preserving penile length is an important consideration and the degree of curvature limits the suitability of plication procedures.
When Peyronie’s disease is associated with severe erectile dysfunction that hasn’t responded well to other treatments, a penile prosthesis may be considered.
A penile implant can provide reliable erectile function in addition to helping correct penile curvature. Sometimes, additional modelling, plication, or grafting may be required, depending on the degree of curvature.
Your consultation begins with a detailed evaluation of your symptoms, their duration, and understanding if penile curvature or shape has changed over time.
Assessment may include:
An ultrasound is intended to assess the plaque and, in some cases, evaluate blood flow in the penis.
The aim is to establish the cause and severity of the curvature and determine which treatment options are right for you.
Consider a specialist assessment if you notice:
Through an early assessment, your specialist can establish whether the condition is active or stable and clarify the treatment options available.
Dr Asheesh Kaul is a UK-trained Consultant Urologist specializing in urology, andrology, male sexual health, Peyronie's disease, penile curvature, and reconstructive penile surgery. He completed fellowship training in andrology at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), where he developed specialist expertise in complex andrological and reconstructive surgery. Dr Kaul also gained tertiary referral experience at The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, managing complex andrological conditions and penile surgery, including cases requiring advanced surgical planning.
His approach to Peyronie’s disease is centered on accurate diagnosis, understanding the stage and severity of the condition, and offering an appropriate treatment pathway, from non-surgical management and injection treatments to reconstructive surgery when clinically indicated.
For men with complex penile curvature, previous penile surgery, significant deformity, or associated erectile dysfunction, specialist assessment can help determine the most appropriate treatment strategy.
Dr Asheesh Kaul provides confidential urology and andrology consultations in Dubai, with highly specialized care for Peyronie’s disease, penile curvature, erectile dysfunction, and other male sexual health conditions.
Patients can access a wide range of treatment options through First IVF DHCC, with additional clinic availability at Jumeirah American Clinic, at the department of general urology and andrology care.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, seeing a specialist in andrology medicine can help you understand your condition and the treatment options available.
If you are looking for Peyronie’s disease treatment in Dubai or specialist assessment for penile curvature, arrange a confidential consultation with an experienced consultant urologist.
Your consultation will focus on understanding the underlying cause and stage of your condition and identifying the most appropriate treatment approach for your personal needs.
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