Penile Traction Therapy for Peyronie’s Disease: Does It Actually Work?
If you have Peyronie’s disease, it is reasonable to ask whether gently stretching the penis can actually reduce curvature or recover lost length.
The short answer is: penile traction therapy can help some men, but it is not a cure and results vary.
The 2026 European Association of Urology (EAU) guideline states that penile traction devices may be offered to reduce penile deformity or as part of a combined treatment approach, while emphasising that the available evidence remains limited.[1] The 2026 International Consultation on Sexual Medicine reached a similar conclusion.[2]
What is penile traction therapy?
Penile traction therapy uses a purpose-designed device to apply controlled, gradual stretching to the penis. The aim is to encourage remodelling of scarred tissue over time.
It is very different from forcefully bending or manually stretching an erect penis, which can cause injury.
Traction may be considered during the changing or “active” phase of Peyronie’s disease, or in selected men with stable disease. Whether it is suitable depends on the curvature, penile length, erection quality, pain, hourglass or hinge deformity, and your goals.[1,2]
Does the evidence show that traction works?
Yes — but the average improvement is usually modest.
In a randomised controlled trial involving 110 men, a modern traction system used for 30–90 minutes per day for three months produced an average improvement in curvature of approximately 12 degrees and an average increase in stretched penile length of 1.5 cm compared with no treatment.[3]
Follow-up from the same study suggested that improvements could continue with longer use.[4]
However, not every study has produced the same results. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found that traction significantly improved penile curvature overall, but did not demonstrate a statistically significant overall improvement in penile length or erectile function.[5]
This is why individual results should not be guaranteed. Evidence from one traction device also cannot automatically be applied to every penile extender sold online.
Who might consider penile traction?
Traction may be worth discussing if you have bothersome curvature, have noticed penile shortening, want to explore a non-surgical option, or want to preserve length while monitoring the condition.
Men with severe curvature, marked hourglass narrowing, hinge instability, significant erectile dysfunction or a deformity preventing intercourse may require a different approach.
The Peyronie’s Treatment Explorer can help organise the factors that may be useful to discuss at a specialist assessment.
How long does penile traction take?
There is no single schedule suitable for every device. Published studies range from relatively short daily treatment periods to several hours per day.[1,3-5]
Consistency appears important, but more force is not necessarily better. Traction should produce controlled stretching rather than significant pain.
Stop treatment and seek medical advice if you develop persistent numbness, significant pain, skin injury or other concerning symptoms.
Can traction restore lost penile length?
Sometimes traction can recover some stretched penile length, but it cannot guarantee restoration of the length present before Peyronie’s disease developed.
Some men mainly notice an improvement in curvature rather than length.
If shortening is a major concern, read more about whether penile length lost from Peyronie’s disease can be recovered.
When should you seek assessment?
Consider assessment if your curvature is worsening, erections are painful, you are losing length, an hourglass or hinge deformity is developing, or sexual intercourse is becoming difficult.
If the condition has only recently appeared, see what to do during the first six months of Peyronie’s disease.
For patients in Brisbane, elsewhere in Australia or overseas, assessment can help determine whether traction is reasonable and how it fits with other treatment options. Patients travelling for care can also review the international patient information.
Take home message
Penile traction therapy has credible clinical evidence behind it. In appropriately selected men it may reduce curvature and help preserve or recover some penile length.
However, it does not work equally well for everyone, it cannot guarantee a straight penis, and evidence differs between devices and treatment protocols.
If Peyronie’s disease is affecting sexual function or causing concern, you can request an appointment for an individual assessment and discussion of treatment options.
References
European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Penile Curvature. Arnhem: EAU Guidelines Office; 2026.
Chung E, Ziegelmann M, Lin HC, Jenkins L, Broderick G, Moon DG, et al. Management of Peyronie’s disease: recommendations from the Fifth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM 2024). Sex Med Rev. 2026;14(1):qeaf068. doi:10.1093/sxmrev/qeaf068.
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. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000000245.
Joseph J, Ziegelmann MJ, Alom M, Savage J, Köhler TS, Trost L. Outcomes of 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. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.003.
Almsaoud NA, Safar O, Alshahrani ST, 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. doi:10.21037/tau-23-310.
Medical disclaimer
This article provides general educational information only and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Suitability for penile traction therapy depends on individual anatomy, disease phase, symptoms, medical history and the specific device being considered. Treatment outcomes vary. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before commencing treatment.
