Genital Reconstruction & Revision
Peyronie's disease causes curvature, indentation, or shortening. What the two phases mean and the options from traction and Xiaflex to surgery.
Written and reviewed by Shervin Badkhshan, MD · Last reviewed
November 2026
Part of:
Peyronie's and genital reconstruction
Office & outpatient
Xiaflex: up to 4 cycles
Fellowship-Trained Reconstructive Urology
AT A GLANCE
From symptoms to treatment
1. SYMPTOMS
• New curve with erections • A lump you can feel • Pain early on, shortening
2. TESTING
• Exam and history • Curve measured during an erection, in the office • Ultrasound when needed
Test result guides →
3. TREATMENT
• Traction therapy • Xiaflex injections, in the office • Plication, grafting, or an implant
Surgical options →
Peyronie's disease is scar tissue (a plaque) inside the penis that causes a curve, an indentation, or shortening during erections. It's common, it isn't cancer, and it isn't contagious.
What you might notice
A new bend or curve with erections
A lump or hard area you can feel
Pain with erections early on
An hourglass shape, a hinge, or loss of length
Weaker erections in some men
The two phases
In the first phase, often the first 6 to 12 months, the curve may change and erections can hurt. In the stable phase the curve stops changing and pain usually settles. Which phase you're in guides treatment, and most surgery waits until the curve has been stable for several months.
How I evaluate it
A history and exam, then often a measurement of the curve during an erection in the office using an injection, sometimes with an ultrasound. Photos taken at home can help too.
Options without surgery
Traction therapy at home, and Xiaflex injections in the office, which I give regularly. Oral supplements haven't proven helpful and I don't usually recommend them.
Surgery
When a stable curve still gets in the way of sex: plication to straighten the penis, plaque incision and grafting for severe or complex curves, or a penile implant with straightening when there are also erection problems.
Related
Xiaflex · Traction therapy guide · Penile plication · Plaque incision and grafting
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Your results and questions
Your actual test results, visit notes, and messages with your care team are in your patient portal, the same one you use to book visits. Send questions through the portal or call the office at (516) 535-1900. For anything urgent, call the office or go to the nearest emergency room.