Penile curvature can be reduced or corrected through several approaches, ranging from traction devices and injections to surgery. The right option depends on what’s causing the curve, how severe it is, and whether it’s still changing. Most curvature that bothers men enough to seek treatment is caused by Peyronie’s disease, a condition where scar tissue (plaque) forms inside the penis and pulls it to one side during erection. Some men have had a curve since puberty, which is called congenital curvature and has different treatment considerations.
Why the Penis Curves
Peyronie’s disease is the most common cause of acquired curvature. Flat, hardened patches of scar tissue develop beneath the skin of the penis, and you can sometimes feel them as lumps or a band of firm tissue. The condition becomes more common between ages 45 and 70, though it can happen earlier. The scar tissue prevents the affected side from stretching normally during an erection, which creates the bend.
In younger men, curvature is more likely congenital, meaning it developed during growth and isn’t caused by plaque. The distinction matters because treatments that target scar tissue won’t help a congenital curve, and surgical techniques differ between the two.
The Two Phases of Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease moves through an acute phase and a chronic (stable) phase, and knowing which one you’re in shapes your treatment options. The acute phase typically lasts 3 to 18 months. During this period, the curvature may worsen, new plaque forms, and erections are often painful. This is not the time for surgery, because the target is still moving.
The chronic phase begins when the curvature has stopped changing and pain has resolved for at least three months. Most surgeons prefer to wait 6 to 12 months of stability before operating. Non-surgical treatments like traction and injections can be started earlier.
Traction Devices
Penile traction therapy uses a mechanical device to apply gentle, sustained stretching to the penis. Traditional devices require 3 to 8 hours of daily use, which most men find impractical. A clinical trial of a newer device (RestoreX) found that just 30 to 90 minutes per day produced meaningful results over three months: 77% of men saw improved curvature, with responders averaging about 17 degrees of correction. Nearly all participants (94%) also gained penile length, averaging 1.6 cm. Men with erectile difficulties saw improvements in erectile function as well.
Traction is one of the few treatments that can increase length rather than reduce it, which makes it appealing as either a standalone option or a complement to other therapies. It’s low-risk and requires no anesthesia, but it does demand daily consistency over weeks to months.
Injectable Treatment
The only FDA-approved medication for Peyronie’s disease is an injectable enzyme (brand name Xiaflex) that breaks down the collagen in scar tissue. It’s approved for men whose curvature falls between 30 and 90 degrees. Treatment involves up to four cycles spaced about six weeks apart. Each cycle includes two injections into the plaque followed by a modeling procedure where the provider manually stretches and bends the penis to help break up the softened scar tissue.
In clinical trials, men treated with this injection saw their curvature decrease by about 34% over a year, compared to roughly 20% in men who received a placebo. If your curvature drops below 15 degrees during the course of treatment, additional cycles aren’t needed. The process takes several months from start to finish, and the injections can cause bruising, swelling, and soreness at the injection site.
What About Oral Medications?
You may come across recommendations for vitamin E, pentoxifylline, or other oral supplements. The American Urological Association has reviewed the evidence on oral therapies for Peyronie’s disease, and the results are not encouraging. No oral medication has shown reliable, clinically meaningful improvement in penile curvature in well-designed studies. Some men try them during the acute phase hoping to slow progression, but they should not be expected to straighten the penis.
Surgical Options
Surgery offers the most definitive correction and is typically considered when curvature is stable, non-surgical treatments have failed or aren’t appropriate, and the bend is severe enough to prevent satisfactory intercourse. There’s no universal degree threshold that triggers surgery. Published studies have treated men with curvatures ranging from 10 to 90 degrees, with a median around 48 degrees.
Plication (Shortening the Longer Side)
Plication works by placing sutures on the outer, longer side of the curve to shorten it and match the scarred side. Think of it like hemming a pair of pants on one side to make them even. The procedure is simpler, carries lower risk of nerve damage, and preserves erectile function well. The trade-off is some penile shortening, roughly 1 cm for every 30 degrees of correction. About 14% of men report being able to feel the sutures afterward, though most don’t find it bothersome. Plication works best for men with moderate curvature and good erections.
Plaque Incision With Grafting (Lengthening the Shorter Side)
For more severe curves, a surgeon can cut into or partially remove the plaque and patch the gap with a graft. This approach preserves more length than plication. In one study of 70 men followed for an average of nearly 3.5 years, about 76% achieved a completely straight penis, and another 13% had mild residual curvature under 20 degrees. Patient satisfaction rates in grafting studies generally range from 86% to 92% in the first year.
However, grafting carries higher risks than plication. Men who undergo grafting are more likely to experience reduced sensation and some loss of erectile rigidity compared to those who have plication. A direct comparison found no significant difference in overall satisfaction between the two procedures, but grafting patients were more likely to report difficulty with intercourse afterward.
Penile Implant
When curvature coexists with erectile dysfunction that doesn’t respond to medication, a penile implant becomes the preferred approach. The implant itself provides rigidity for intercourse, and the surgeon can perform additional straightening maneuvers during the same operation. This is typically reserved for men dealing with both problems simultaneously, not for curvature alone.
Choosing the Right Approach
Your treatment path depends on several overlapping factors: how much curvature you have, whether your erections are firm, how long the condition has been stable, and how much it interferes with sex. Men in the acute phase generally start with traction or monitoring. Once stable, those with moderate curvature and good erections might try injections or plication. Severe curves often point toward grafting. Concurrent erectile dysfunction shifts the conversation toward an implant.
There’s no agreed-upon minimum curvature that requires treatment. Some men with 30 degrees of curvature find it disabling, while others with more live comfortably. The decision is driven by how much the curve affects your function and quality of life, not by a number alone.