Can Sex or Masturbation Make Peyronie’s Disease Worse?
The reassuring answer: gentle, comfortable sex or masturbation has not been shown to make Peyronie’s disease progress. However, a sudden or forceful bend of an erect penis can cause further injury.
Men with pain, poor erection rigidity or an unstable “hinge” in the penis may need to modify sexual activity and seek specialist advice.[1–5]
What is Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease occurs when abnormal scar tissue, called a plaque, forms within the strong covering of the erectile chambers of the penis.
This plaque does not stretch normally during an erection and may cause:
Penile curvature
Shortening
Narrowing or an hourglass shape
A hinge or unstable area
Painful erections
Difficulty with penetration
Erectile dysfunction
The condition is thought to involve an abnormal healing response following penile stress or injury. However, many men do not remember a specific injury.[3–5]
This does not mean that normal sexual activity causes Peyronie’s disease or that every erection creates more scar tissue.
Can sex make Peyronie’s disease worse?
There is no good evidence that ordinary, pain-free sexual intercourse accelerates Peyronie’s disease. International guidelines do not recommend that every man with Peyronie’s disease stop having sex.[1,2]
The main risk is a new penile injury, particularly when the erect penis:
Slips out and strikes the partner’s pelvis
Buckles because the erection is not firm enough
Bends sharply during penetration
Has an unstable hinge deformity
Is pushed through significant pain
Normal movement during comfortable sex is different from a sudden, forceful bend of the penis.
Can masturbation make Peyronie’s disease worse?
Gentle masturbation has not been shown to worsen Peyronie’s disease.
It may be easier to control than intercourse because the man can control the speed, pressure and angle. Ejaculation and orgasm do not appear to enlarge or activate a Peyronie’s plaque.
Avoid:
Forcefully bending or twisting the penis
Aggressive squeezing or stretching
Applying heavy pressure over a painful plaque
Continuing through sharp pain
Trying to manually “break” the plaque
A Peyronie’s plaque cannot safely be broken apart by hand. Penile traction therapy is different because it uses controlled, measured force according to a structured treatment plan.[1,3]
Does the stage of Peyronie’s disease matter?
Peyronie’s disease commonly has an active phase followed by a stable phase.
Active phase
The condition may still be active when there is:
Pain during erections
Increasing curvature
New narrowing or indentation
Progressive loss of length
A recent change in erection quality
The deformity may continue to change during this phase, even if sexual activity is reduced.
Stable phase
The condition is more likely to be stable when pain has resolved and the penile shape has not changed for several months. Stability is particularly important when considering surgery.[1]
How can you reduce the risk of injury?
Most men do not need to avoid intimacy completely. The following steps may make sexual activity safer and more comfortable.
Ensure the erection is firm enough
A partly rigid penis is more likely to buckle. Erectile dysfunction is common in men with Peyronie’s disease and may require treatment.[1,3]
Use adequate lubrication
Lubrication reduces friction and may allow slower, more controlled penetration.
Choose controlled positions
There is no single position proven to be safest for everyone. Choose positions that allow control over the depth and angle of penetration and reduce sudden movement.
Stop if the penis slips out
Do not continue thrusting if the penis slips out. Stop, reposition and guide it back into place.
Do not push through sharp pain
Sharp, sudden or increasing pain is a reason to stop. Pain may indicate that too much stress is being placed on an inflamed or unstable area.
Consider non-penetrative intimacy
Other forms of intimacy may be helpful when penetration is painful or difficult.
Should you stop sex during the active phase?
Not automatically.
There is no evidence that complete abstinence prevents Peyronie’s disease from progressing. Current guidelines focus on pain, deformity, erection quality and whether intercourse is possible rather than recommending universal abstinence.[1,2]
Sex may need to be paused or modified when:
Penetration repeatedly causes pain
The penis buckles during intercourse
Erection rigidity is poor
There is a severe hinge deformity
Curvature is changing quickly
A new penile injury has occurred
Your treating clinician has advised a restriction
Temporary abstinence may also be required after injections, collagenase treatment or surgery. Follow the instructions given by your treating clinician.
When is a penile injury an emergency?
A penile fracture is a tear in the strong covering of the erectile tissue. It usually follows a sudden, forceful bend of an erect penis.
Seek urgent hospital assessment if there is:
A popping or cracking sound
Sudden severe pain
Immediate loss of the erection
Rapid swelling or extensive bruising
A sudden new deformity
Blood at the urinary opening
Difficulty passing urine
Early surgical treatment generally produces better outcomes and reduces the risk of long-term curvature and erectile dysfunction.[8]
When should you see a specialist?
Arrange an assessment if you notice:
New or worsening penile curvature
A firm lump or plaque
Painful erections
Penile shortening or narrowing
An hourglass or hinge deformity
Difficulty with penetration
Reduced erection firmness
Anxiety affecting intimacy or relationships
Early assessment does not necessarily mean that injections or surgery are required. It allows the deformity to be documented, erection quality assessed and appropriate treatment options discussed.
Frequently asked questions
Is masturbation safer than intercourse?
It may be easier to control because you control the pressure and angle. Gentle masturbation is unlikely to worsen the condition.
Can frequent sex worsen Peyronie’s disease?
There is no evidence that frequency alone causes progression. Comfortable, controlled activity is more important than how often sex occurs.
Should I avoid erections?
No. Normal spontaneous and sexual erections are not considered harmful unless specific restrictions have been provided after treatment.
Can I straighten the penis manually?
Do not forcibly bend the penis against the curve. Traction or modelling should only be performed using a recommended technique.
Will avoiding sex make Peyronie’s disease go away?
No. Abstinence has not been shown to make a plaque disappear or prevent natural progression.
Take home message
Gentle, comfortable sex or masturbation is unlikely to make Peyronie’s disease worse. The main concern is avoiding forceful bending, buckling or manipulation of the erect penis.
Modify or pause sexual activity if it causes significant pain, the penis repeatedly buckles, the erection is not firm enough or the deformity is changing.
A sudden pop, immediate loss of erection, swelling or bruising requires urgent medical assessment.
Discuss your symptoms with Dr Jack Crozier
Dr Jack Crozier is a Brisbane urologist and andrology surgeon with a subspecialty interest in Peyronie’s disease, erectile dysfunction and penile reconstructive surgery.
A confidential consultation provides an opportunity to assess whether the condition is active or stable, review erection quality and discuss appropriate non-surgical and surgical treatment options.
This information is general and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Seek urgent care following a sudden penile injury, particularly if there is a popping sound, rapid swelling, bruising or immediate loss of the erection.
References
European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Arnhem: EAU Guidelines Office; 2026.
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, Bajic P, Levine LA. Peyronie’s disease: contemporary evaluation and management. Int J Urol. 2020;27(6):504–516.
Di Maida F, Cito G, Lambertini L, et al. The natural history of Peyronie’s disease. World J Mens Health. 2021;39(3):399–405.
Douroumis K, Kotrotsios K, Katsikatsos P, et al. Acute phase Peyronie’s disease: where do we stand? Cureus. 2024;16(8):e67054.
Syarif S, Azis A, Natsir AS, Putra MZDA. What is the most dangerous sexual position that caused penile fracture? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Braz J Urol. 2024;50(1):28–36.
Chierigo F, Fallara G, Tozzi M, et al. Guideline of guidelines: Peyronie’s disease. BJU Int. 2026;137(5):770–782.
European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on Urological Trauma. Arnhem: EAU Guidelines Office; 2026.
