Peyronie’s Disease Treatment in London
Consultant-led assessment and treatment for Peyronie’s disease at our clinics at The Shard, Canary Wharf and Guy’s Hospital.
A bend, a lump or pain in the penis is worrying, and most men wait longer than they need to before asking about it. Peyronie’s disease is common, it is well understood, and in most cases something can be done about it. This page explains what the condition is, how it is assessed, what can be done without surgery, when surgery is the right answer, and what treatment can and cannot achieve.
What Peyronie’s disease is
Peyronie’s disease is a condition in which scar tissue, known as plaque, forms in the tough layer surrounding the erectile chambers of the penis. Scarred tissue does not stretch the way healthy tissue does, so when the penis becomes erect it bends, narrows or shortens on the affected side. It is not an infection, it is not a cancer, and it cannot be passed on to a partner.
The condition usually moves through two stages, and knowing which stage you are in changes what treatment makes sense.
- Acute (active) stage. Pain and a noticeable curvature appear, and there may be swelling or tenderness. This stage commonly lasts around six to twelve months, and the shape of the penis can keep changing during it.
- Chronic (stable) stage. Pain settles and the curvature stops progressing, but the plaque and the bend remain. Once things are stable, treatment can be planned against a clear picture of what needs correcting.
Surgery in particular is not usually offered while the condition is still active and changing.
Symptoms, and when a bend is not a problem
Men with Peyronie’s disease may notice:
- a bend or curve in the penis, which may be upwards, downwards or to one side
- a lump or hardened ridge that can be felt under the skin
- pain with erections, particularly in the early months
- shortening of the penis, or narrowing that gives an hourglass shape
- erections that are less firm than before, or difficulty with penetrative sex
- embarrassment, low mood or a loss of confidence
Not every curve is Peyronie’s disease. Many men have a slight natural bend that has always been there, causes no pain and does not interfere with sex; that is normal anatomy and needs no treatment. What matters is change: a bend that is new, a lump that has appeared, or pain that was not there before.
When to seek urgent care. Go to your nearest emergency department if you feel or hear a sudden snap or pop during sex followed by immediate pain, swelling and bruising, which may be a penile fracture. Do the same for an erection that will not settle after four hours. Neither is Peyronie’s disease, but both are urgent.
Why Peyronie’s disease happens
Peyronie’s disease develops when normal healing lays down inelastic scar instead of healthy tissue. The trigger is often not obvious and many men never recall an injury, but several factors raise the risk.
Injury or trauma
Small injuries to the penis, often during sex or sport, can lead to scar tissue. Even a seemingly minor injury, or repeated small traumas, may start the process off.
Genetics
Some men have a family history of Peyronie’s disease or of other connective tissue problems, and this inherited tendency can make scar tissue more likely to form.
Connective tissue disorders
Conditions such as Dupuytren’s contracture, a tightening of the tissue in the palm of the hand, are linked to a higher chance of developing Peyronie’s disease.
Age
Peyronie’s disease is more common in men over 40, as tissue elasticity reduces with age.
Other medical conditions
Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease affect blood flow and tissue repair, and can make Peyronie’s disease more likely or harder to manage.
How Peyronie’s disease affects men
Changes in shape. Most men report a bend, which can be in any direction. Others describe shortening of the penis, or narrowing that produces an hourglass appearance.
Changes in function. Peyronie’s disease can reduce erectile hardness, and that alone can interfere with sexual function quite apart from the curvature.
Psychological impact. The effect on confidence can be profound, and up to half of men with Peyronie’s disease report symptoms of depression. That is a normal reaction, and worth raising in your consultation.
How Peyronie’s disease is diagnosed
Diagnosis starts with a detailed history and a physical examination. Your consultant will ask about your symptoms, pain, erectile function, and any previous injury or medical condition. Assessment commonly includes:
- Measurement of the curvature, so the bend is recorded objectively and any change tracked over time.
- Symptom questionnaires covering pain, sexual difficulty and emotional impact, which help guide what treatment is appropriate.
- Further tests where indicated, such as blood tests for conditions like diabetes or a hormonal problem that could be affecting healing and erectile function.
Photographs taken at home are useful, because an erection is hard to reproduce in a clinic room. A few clear images from the front and the side make the discussion far more accurate; there is a short guide on how to take them if you would like one.
Non-surgical treatment
Many men are managed without surgery. The aim is to reduce curvature and pain and to support sexual function and confidence. It is only fair to be clear that there is no cure for Peyronie’s disease: treatment manages the condition and its effects, but nothing returns things to exactly how they were beforehand, and you should be wary of any clinic claiming otherwise.
Medical therapy
Oral medication aimed at improving erectile function and pain and managing the wider impact of the condition, with the possible use of injections into the plaque to help reduce the impact of the plaque.
Traction therapy
A device used to address shape changes and help restore some of the penile length lost to the condition. It needs consistent daily use over months.
Psychosexual therapy
Talking therapy directed at the effect of Peyronie’s disease on confidence, relationships and sexual function, often used alongside physical treatment rather than instead of it.
Treatments we do not currently recommend
Shockwave therapy and stem cell therapy are both marketed for Peyronie’s disease. At present there is no good or clear evidence that either has any benefit in this condition, and they should be used within a clinical trial rather than offered as standard treatment.
Surgery for Peyronie’s disease
A proportion of men will need surgery. It is best reserved for men who are unable to have sex because of the physical effects of the condition, rather than undertaken to make the penis look cosmetically straight, and is normally considered only once the condition is stable.
Plication procedures
Techniques including Nesbitt’s, Yachia, TAP and the Lue 16-dot procedure. Suitable for curvatures up to about 60 degrees in men with good erectile function, these shorten the unaffected side so the penis straightens. The advantage is a considerably lower risk of erectile dysfunction or altered sensation; the trade-off is that plication will cause some penile shortening.
Plaque incision and graft
Techniques including the Lue and Egydio procedures, used for curvatures greater than about 60 degrees in men with good erectile function, and for complex bends, hourglass changes, hinge effects and marked shortening. The plaque is incised on the shortened side and a graft used to rebuild and straighten the penis. This can restore lost length as well as correcting the curve, but carries a greater risk of erectile dysfunction and altered sensation.
Penile implant
A malleable or inflatable device, with grafting and modelling if needed. This is for men with any degree of curvature who also have erectile dysfunction that has not responded to oral medication. It replaces the erectile mechanism and straightens the penis in one procedure, restoring lost length at the same time. Satisfaction among well selected and carefully counselled patients and their partners is high. Implants are permanent, so the counselling beforehand matters as much as the operation.
Surgical procedures for Peyronie’s disease at a glance — a side-by-side comparison of the operations, who each suits, and their trade-offs.
Seeing a specialist in London
Peyronie’s disease is assessed and treated at The Andrology Centre by consultants who practise at Guy’s & St Thomas’, named by Newsweek in 2025 as the number one urology service in Europe. Mr Maj Shabbir is a Consultant Urological Surgeon, Clinical Lead of The Andrology Centre and past National Chair for Andrology at BAUS. He is joined by Ms Raveen Kaur Sandher, Consultant Urological Surgeon, and Ms Elsie Mensah, Urology Specialist.
We consult at HCA at The Shard (SE1 9BS), HCA at Canary Wharf (E14 5NR) and HCA at Guy’s Hospital (SE1 9RT). Self-funding patients do not need a GP referral; if you are using private medical insurance your insurer will usually require one, so check before booking.
To arrange a consultation, call +44 7889 318584 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday, or email contact@theandrologycentre.co.uk. Bring your photographs and a list of any medication you take.
Frequently asked questions
I can feel a lump in my penis — is Peyronie’s disease cancer?
No. A Peyronie’s plaque is scar tissue, and it often feels like a firm lump or ridge under the skin. It is not cancerous and it does not turn into a cancer. It is still worth having any new lump examined, so that the diagnosis is confirmed properly and the stage of the condition can be assessed rather than guessed at.
Have I done something to cause Peyronie’s disease, and can I pass it on?
No. Peyronie’s disease is not something you catch, and it is not something you can pass on to a partner. It is scar tissue in the penis that may follow an injury during sexual activity, although many men never recall an injury at all. Having the condition does not mean you have done anything wrong.
Is there anything I should do before my appointment?
Yes. Photographs are the single most useful thing you can bring. Take clear pictures of the erect penis from the front and from the side, so that the curvature can be discussed accurately rather than from memory. It also helps to bring a list of your current medication and any previous test results. Your partner is welcome to attend with you.
Can Peyronie’s disease be cured?
No. There is no cure for Peyronie’s disease. Treatment can manage the condition and its effects, reducing pain, improving curvature and supporting sexual function, but no treatment returns things to exactly how they were before the condition developed. Be cautious of any clinic that promises a cure or guarantees a particular result.
Do shockwave therapy and stem cell therapy work for Peyronie’s disease?
At present there is no good or clear evidence that either shockwave therapy or stem cell therapy has any benefit in Peyronie’s disease. They should be used within a clinical trial rather than offered as standard treatment. If a clinic offers either as routine care, ask what evidence it is relying on before paying for a course.
Do I need a GP referral to be seen?
If you are funding your own care you do not need a GP referral and can book directly. If you are claiming through private medical insurance, your insurer will usually require a referral and an authorisation code, so contact them first. Call +44 7889 318584 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday if you are unsure which applies to you.
References and further reading
- NHS. Peyronie's disease. www.nhs.uk/conditions/peyronies-disease
- British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS). Patient information. www.baus.org.uk/patients
- European Association of Urology (EAU). Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health. uroweb.org/guidelines
- British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM). Guidelines. www.bssm.org.uk
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Speak to a specialist in confidence
Most men wait far longer than they need to. A single consultation is often enough to identify the cause and set out your options.