Can You Recover Penile Length Lost From Peyronie's Disease?
Penile shortening is one of the most concerning symptoms of Peyronie’s disease. The encouraging news is that some men can recover part of the length they have lost, particularly with medically supervised penile traction therapy.
However, no treatment can guarantee complete restoration to the exact length present before Peyronie’s disease.
The best approach depends on the type of deformity, whether the condition is still changing, erection quality and how much it affects sexual activity.
Why does Peyronie’s disease cause shortening?
Peyronie’s disease develops when firm scar tissue, called a plaque, forms within the penis. The affected tissue does not stretch normally during an erection.
This may cause:
Curvature
Loss of erect length
Narrowing or an hourglass shape
Penile instability or hinging
Painful erections
Erectile dysfunction
Some men have true shortening from scar contraction. Others experience apparent shortening because a curved penis does not project as far forward. A weaker erection can also make the penis appear shorter.[1-3]
Straightening the penis and improving erection quality may therefore improve functional length, even when the measured change is modest.
Can penile length be recovered?
Partial recovery is possible for some men.
Clinical studies of penile traction therapy have reported average length gains of approximately 1.5–2 cm in selected patients who used treatment consistently.[4-6]
These figures are averages, not guaranteed results. Some men gain more, some gain less and others may mainly prevent further shortening.
A systematic review found that traction improved curvature overall, although the combined evidence did not confirm a statistically significant increase in penile length. Studies used different devices, treatment schedules and measurement methods, making results difficult to compare.[7]
International guidelines therefore support discussing traction therapy while recognising that the overall evidence remains limited.[1]
Penile traction therapy
Penile traction therapy uses a medical device to apply controlled stretching force. Over time, this may encourage scar remodelling, reduce curvature and preserve or recover length.
In a randomised trial, men using a counter-bending traction device for 30–90 minutes per day gained an average of 1.5 cm after three months.[4]
During the six-month follow-up phase, average gains reached approximately 2.0–2.3 cm among regular users.[5]
Another controlled study using a different device for three to eight hours per day reported an average stretched-length increase of 1.8 cm after 12 weeks.[6]
Treatment usually requires consistent use over several months. The required daily treatment time varies between devices.
Traction is not suitable for everyone. Results may be influenced by:
The severity and direction of curvature
Plaque calcification
Hourglass or hinge deformity
Previous treatment
Erectile function
Device type and treatment consistency
Aggressive stretching or incorrect device use may cause pain, bruising or injury. A specialist assessment is recommended before starting treatment.
Can injections restore length?
Injection treatments are mainly intended to reduce curvature rather than enlarge the penis.
Traction may improve outcomes when combined with some injection treatments. In one prospective study, men receiving collagenase injections together with a counter-bending traction device gained an average of 1.9 cm.[8]
However, this was not a randomised comparison, and collagenase is not suitable or available for every patient.
Other injections have less convincing evidence for restoring length. Treatment should be selected according to disease stage, deformity and plaque characteristics rather than length concerns alone.[1,3]
What about vacuum devices or tablets?
A vacuum erection device may support erections, maintain tissue expansion and form part of a penile rehabilitation program.
A small retrospective study found that men using a vacuum device for ten minutes twice daily experienced improved curvature, but it did not provide strong evidence of permanent length recovery.[9]
There is also no tablet, cream or supplement proven to reliably restore penile length lost from Peyronie’s disease.
Medicines used for erectile dysfunction may improve erection firmness and functional length, but they do not directly remove the plaque.[1]
Can surgery restore penile length?
Surgery may provide the most reliable correction of a severe, stable deformity, but not every operation restores length.
Surgery is usually considered when Peyronie’s disease has stabilised and the deformity prevents or significantly interferes with sexual activity.[1,2]
Penile plication
Plication straightens the penis by shortening the longer side.
It is commonly used in men with good erections, adequate penile length and less complex curvature. Because it works by shortening one side, it does not recover lost length and may cause additional shortening.[1-3]
Plaque incision and grafting
Grafting surgery releases the shortened side of the penis and covers the resulting defect with graft material.
It may be considered for severe curvature, major shortening or hourglass deformity in men with good natural erections.
Its main purpose is to correct the deformity without deliberately shortening the opposite side. It does not reliably increase the penis beyond its corrected length.[1]
Possible complications include:
Erectile dysfunction
Reduced sensation
Recurrent curvature
Graft contraction
Penile implant surgery
A penile implant may be recommended when Peyronie’s disease occurs together with erectile dysfunction that has not responded adequately to other treatments.
The implant provides reliable rigidity and may correct some curvature. Additional straightening procedures may sometimes be required.
A standard penile implant is not designed to restore the penis to its previous maximum length.
More complex implant-related length-restoration operations have reported gains in selected specialist series, but they carry additional risks. A 2024 systematic review found reported gains of 1–7 cm, with complications occurring in up to 21.7% of cases.[10]
These procedures should only be considered after detailed counselling with an experienced prosthetic and reconstructive surgeon.
What is a realistic outcome?
A realistic treatment goal may include:
Preventing further shortening
Recovering part of the lost length
Reducing curvature
Improving erection quality
Correcting an hourglass or hinge deformity
Restoring comfortable penetrative sex
For many men, function is more important than a particular measurement. A straighter and firmer erection may feel substantially more normal even if some shortening remains.
When should you see a specialist?
Consider seeking specialist advice if you have:
New or worsening curvature
Noticeable penile shortening
Painful erections
An hourglass shape or hinge
Reduced erection quality
Difficulty with penetration
Concerns about using a traction device
Early assessment does not mean surgery will be recommended. It allows the deformity and length to be documented and provides an opportunity to discuss observation, traction, injections or later surgery.
Discuss your options with Dr Jack Crozier
Dr Jack Crozier is a Brisbane urologist and andrology surgeon with a subspecialty interest in Peyronie’s disease, penile reconstruction and erectile dysfunction.
A confidential consultation can help determine:
Whether shortening is caused by curvature, scarring or erectile dysfunction
Whether the disease is active or stable
Whether traction therapy is appropriate
Whether injections or surgery may help
Which treatment best balances straightening, length and erection quality
This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Treatment results vary, and specialist assessment is recommended before starting traction, vacuum therapy, injections or surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Can traction completely restore the length I lost?
Not necessarily. Clinical studies have reported average gains of approximately 1.5–2 cm, but complete restoration cannot be guaranteed.[4-6]
Does straightening make the penis look longer?
Often, yes. A straighter penis projects further forward, which may improve visible and functional length.
Will plication surgery make the penis shorter?
Some additional shortening should be expected because plication straightens the penis by shortening the longer side.[1-3]
Does grafting increase penile length?
Grafting aims to correct complex deformity without shortening the opposite side. It does not reliably create additional long-term length.[1]
Will a penile implant restore my previous length?
A standard implant provides rigidity but is not designed to restore previous maximum length. Advanced length-restoration procedures carry greater risks.[1,10]
References
European Association of Urology. EAU guidelines on sexual and reproductive health: penile curvature. Arnhem: EAU Guidelines Office; 2026.
Osmonov D, Ragheb A, Ward S, Blecher G, Falcone M, Soave A, et al. ESSM position statement on surgical treatment of Peyronie’s disease. Sex Med. 2022;10(1):100459.
Bella AJ, Lee JC, Grober ED, Carrier S, Benard F, Brock GB. 2018 Canadian Urological Association guideline for Peyronie’s disease and congenital penile curvature. Can Urol Assoc J. 2018;12(5):E197-E209.
Ziegelmann MJ, Savage J, Toussi A, Alom M, Yang D, Köhler TS, et al. Outcomes of a novel penile traction device in men with Peyronie’s disease: a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. J Urol. 2019;202(3):599-610.
Joseph J, Ziegelmann MJ, Alom M, Savage J, Köhler TS, Trost L. Outcomes of RestoreX penile traction therapy in men with Peyronie’s disease: results from open label and follow-up phases. J Sex Med. 2020;17(12):2462-2471.
Moncada I, Krishnappa P, Romero J, Torremade J, Fraile A, Martinez-Salamanca JI, et al. Penile traction therapy with the new device Penimaster PRO is effective and safe in the stable phase of Peyronie’s disease: a controlled multicentre study. BJU Int. 2019;123(4):694-702.
Almsaoud NA, Safar O, Alshahrani ST, Alwadai R, Alkhaldi SM, Almurayyi M, et al. The effect of penile traction device in men with Peyronie’s disease on penile curvature, penile length, and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Androl Urol. 2023;12(11):1673-1685.
Alom M, Sharma KL, Toussi A, Köhler T, Trost L. Efficacy of combined collagenase Clostridium histolyticum and RestoreX penile traction therapy in men with Peyronie’s disease. J Sex Med. 2019;16(6):891-900.
MacDonald LP, Armstrong ML, Lehmann KJ, Acker MR, Langille GM. Outcome analysis of patients with Peyronie’s disease who elect for vacuum erection device therapy. Can Urol Assoc J. 2020;14(9):E428-E431.
Falcone M, Preto M, Morgado AR, Sokolakis I, Sarıkaya S, Capece M, et al. Risk and benefits of penile length preservation techniques during penile prosthesis implantation: a systematic review by the Young Academic Urologists Sexual and Reproductive Health Working Group. Ther Adv Urol. 2024;16:17562872231215177.
