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A prescription medicine used to treat adult men with Peyronie’s disease who have a “plaque” that can be felt and a curve in their penis greater than 30 degrees when treatment is started
A prescription medicine used to treat adult men with Peyronie’s disease who have a “plaque” that can be felt and a curve in their penis greater than 30 degrees when treatment is started
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Learn about penile curvature and Peyronie’s disease

Is it okay to have a curved penis?

Every man's penis is different. They vary in size and shape. It might even be normal to have a slight curve in your penis. But if you notice a significant bend has formed when your penis is erect, it's time to ask a urologist if it could be Peyronie's disease.

Men who have a curved erection could have Peyronie's disease

A curved erection caused by Peyronie's disease may happen because of a problem in the way the body heals after an injury (a connective tissue disorder).

When this happens, the body doesn't properly control how much scar tissue develops and too much builds up gradually. A bump of scar tissue forms under the skin of the penis. This bump is called a Peyronie's plaque.

Peyronie's disease is caused by a buildup of scar tissue formed under the skin of the penis called a Peyronie's plaque that causes a curved erection

The Peyronie's plaque causes the penis to curve when erect

This isn't the kind of plaque that can develop in your arteries. If you feel around the inner part of the bend in your penis you may be able to feel this bump of scar tissue.

If the plaque forms on the top of the penis, it will make the erect penis curve up. If the plaque forms on one side of the penis, the erect penis will curve to that side.

Cross-section of Peyronie's plaque inside the penis

Peyronie's disease is unlikely to go away on its own, and may get worse over time.

If you've developed a curve in your erection, see a urologist to get diagnosed and ask how to treat it.

1 in 10 men may have Peyronie's disease in the US.*

It's more common as men age, especially between the ages of 40 and 70.

One man and 9 silhouettes portraying Peyronie’s disease prevalence One man and 9 silhouettes showing how common Peyronie’s disease is

Actor portrayal.

*Based on a survey of more than 11,000 adult men with diagnosed Peyronie's disease in the US, a history of seeking care for the disease, or having related symptoms.

Degrees of erectile curvature in men with Peyronie's disease

Erectile curvature can vary greatly from man to man. You could have Peyronie's disease with a curve ranging anywhere from 15 degrees to more than 90 degrees. Your urologist can discuss what your treatment options are depending on your degree of curvature.

XIAFLEX® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) is indicated to treat adult men with Peyronie's disease who have a "plaque" that can be felt and a curve in their penis greater than 30 degrees when treatment is started.

Take a look at various degrees of erectile curvature associated with Peyronie's Disease

Curved penis from Peyronie’s disease with a 15-degree curve
Curved penis from Peyronie’s disease with a 30-degree curve
Curved penis from Peyronie’s disease with a 60-degree curve
Curved penis from Peyronie’s disease with a 90-degree curve

When you talk to a urologist, you may find it helpful to use these illustrations to give a ballpark measurement of your curve.

Watch a video that explains the basics on Peyronie’s disease

Understanding Peyronie's disease and XIAFLEX®

See when erectile curvature could be Peyronie's disease and how XIAFLEX® may be able to treat it.

What causes Peyronie's disease?

While no one knows the exact cause of Peyronie's disease, these could likely be contributing factors:

  • Medical kit iconOne or more injuries to the penis This can occur during athletic activities, an accident, or sex. During vigorous sex especially, the penis can accidentally bend and become injured.
  • DNA strand iconGenetics Men with family members who have Peyronie's disease or other related conditions may be more likely to get it. Genetic issues in these men may result in problems healing after an injury.
  • Birthday cake iconAge Older men are more likely to have less firm erections that can bend more easily, which may put them at higher risk for injury.

For an injury to the penis to result in Peyronie's disease, experts think that men, in addition to other factors, may need to be genetically at risk for the condition.

How an injury may cause Peyronie's disease

Swipe to see how it happens.

Ruptured blood vessel

Step 1: Blood vessels rupture as the result of an injury to the penis causing bleeding, inflammation, and swelling

Immune system cells trapped in blood clot

Step 2: Clots can form since blood may not flow normally, and may cause immune cells to become trapped due to inflammation

Plaque forming from buildup of too much scar tissue

Step 3: Too much scar tissue forms a plaque as the injury heals because immune system cells release substances that don't allow the body to properly regulate how much scar tissue it makes

Erection that is curved where the plaque is located

Step 4: The erection curves where the plaque is located because the penis can't fully extend in that spot when erect

What are the symptoms of Peyronie's disease?

If you have Peyronie's disease, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

  • A curved erection with or without pain If you develop a curve in your erection that you didn't notice before, it may be a sign that you could have Peyronie's disease. Some men report they feel pain in their erection as the curve develops for the first 12 to 18 months.
  • A Peyronie's plaque This is a bump of scar tissue under the skin of the penis. It's most commonly found on the top side of the penis. Some men can feel it, while others don't notice it.
  • Bothered by your erection Many men with Peyronie's disease report being bothered by the way their curved erection looks and the challenges it presents to their ability to engage in sexual activity.

If you have any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to ask a urologist if you could have Peyronie's disease.

Find a urologist to get diagnosed

Peyronie's disease symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions

  • Erectile dysfunction Many men who actually have Peyronie's disease may think it's erectile dysfunction. It's important to know that Peyronie's disease is a separate medical condition that requires its own diagnosis and treatment.
  • Be sure to talk to a urologist about all of your symptoms so they can help you figure out if you have either of these conditions.
  • Cancer Because Peyronie's disease causes a lump to form under the skin of the penis, and lumps are often the first noticeable symptom of penile cancer, some men may think their Peyronie's plaque is caused by cancer.
  • The Peyronie's plaque is not cancerous. To be sure the bump in your penis is caused by Peyronie's disease and not cancer, you may want to have it checked out by a urologist.

Treatment for Peyronie's disease can help improve erectile curvature.

Find out about treatment for Peyronie's disease
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Important Safety Information for XIAFLEX®

Do not receive XIAFLEX if:

  • the Peyronie's plaque to be treated involves the "tube" that your urine passes through (urethra);
  • you are allergic to collagenase clostridium histolyticum or any of the ingredients in XIAFLEX, or to any other collagenase product. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in XIAFLEX.

XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including:

  1. Penile fracture (corporal rupture) or other serious injury to the penis. Receiving an injection of XIAFLEX may cause damage to the tubes in your penis called the corpora. After treatment with XIAFLEX, one of these tubes may break during an erection. This is called a corporal rupture or penile fracture. This could require surgery to fix the damaged area. Damage to your penis might not get better after a corporal rupture.
    • After treatment with XIAFLEX, blood vessels in your penis may also break, causing blood to collect under the skin (hematoma). This could require a procedure to drain the blood from under the skin.

    Symptoms of corporal rupture or other serious injury to your penis may include:

    • a popping sound or sensation in an erect penis
    • sudden loss of the ability to maintain an erection
    • pain in your penis
    • purple bruising and swelling of your penis
    • difficulty urinating or blood in the urine

    Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms of corporal rupture or serious injury to the penis listed above.

    Do not have sex or any other sexual activity between the first and second injections of a treatment cycle.

    Do not have sex or have any other sexual activity for at least 4 weeks after the second injection of a treatment cycle with XIAFLEX and after any pain and swelling has gone away.

    XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie's disease is only available through a restricted program called the XIAFLEX Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program.

  2. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Severe allergic reactions can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX, because it contains foreign proteins.

    Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction after an injection of XIAFLEX:

    • hives
    • swollen face
    • breathing trouble
    • chest pain
    • low blood pressure
    • dizziness or fainting
  3. Back pain reactions. After receiving an injection of XIAFLEX for Peyronie’s disease, you may suddenly feel back pain, including severe lower back pain moving to your legs, feet, chest and arms. The back pain may also include spasms and make it hard to walk. These symptoms usually go away in 15 minutes or less, but may last longer.

    Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have sudden back pain, chest pain, or hard time walking after an injection.

Before receiving XIAFLEX, tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to a previous XIAFLEX injection, have a bleeding problem, received XIAFLEX for another condition, or any other medical conditions. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using XIAFLEX with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines to thin your blood (anticoagulants). If you are told to stop taking a blood thinner before your XIAFLEX injection, your healthcare provider should tell you when to restart the blood thinner. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines, if you are not sure.

What should I avoid while receiving XIAFLEX?
Avoid situations that may cause you to strain your stomach (abdominal) muscles, such as straining during bowel movements.

Do not use a vacuum erection device during your treatment with XIAFLEX.

XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including increased chance of bleeding. Bleeding or bruising at the injection site can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a problem with your blood clotting. XIAFLEX may not be right for you.

The most common side effects with XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie's disease include:

  • a small collection of blood under the skin at the injection site (hematoma)
  • swelling at the injection site or along your penis
  • pain or tenderness at the injection site, along your penis and above your penis
  • penis bruising
  • itching of your penis or scrotum (genitals)
  • painful erection
  • erection problems (erectile dysfunction)
  • changes in the color of the skin of your penis
  • blisters at the injection site
  • pain with sex
  • a lump at the injection site (nodule)

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects with XIAFLEX. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

What is XIAFLEX®?

XIAFLEX is a prescription medicine used to treat adult men with Peyronie's disease who have a "plaque" that can be felt and a curve in their penis greater than 30 degrees when treatment is started.

It is not known if XIAFLEX is safe and effective in children under the age of 18.

Click for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.