Erectile Dysfunction, Penile Implants & Peyronie’s Disease
Specialist assessment of erectile dysfunction, penile curvature and complex penile conditions in Brisbane. Understand which issue is most relevant to you, explore educational patient tools and find detailed information about assessment and surgical pathways.
- Erectile dysfunction assessment
- Peyronie’s disease and penile curvature
- Penile implant surgery
- Existing penile implant problems and revision
- Complex penile scarring and previous surgery
- Interstate and international patients
What are you trying to understand?
Erectile dysfunction, penile curvature and penile implant problems can overlap. Start with the issue that most closely matches your current concern.
Erectile Dysfunction
Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection can have several contributing factors. Assessment considers the pattern of the problem, general health, previous treatment, pelvic history, penile symptoms and what you want to achieve.
Explore erectile dysfunctionPenile Implant Surgery
Penile implant surgery may form part of the discussion for selected patients with significant erectile dysfunction. Surgical planning considers anatomy, previous surgery, scarring, hand function and individual priorities.
Explore penile implant surgeryPeyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease can cause curvature, narrowing, indentation, an hourglass deformity, shortening or pain. Management depends on the deformity, erection quality, disease stability and functional impact.
Explore Peyronie’s diseaseUnderstanding the problem comes first
Erectile dysfunction is not a single condition. Some men have difficulty becoming fully erect, while others can achieve an erection but have difficulty maintaining it.
Erectile difficulties may occur alongside vascular or metabolic health conditions, neurological problems, hormonal symptoms, psychological or relationship factors, previous pelvic treatment, medication use or penile conditions such as Peyronie’s disease. More than one factor may be present.
The purpose of assessment is to understand the pattern and likely contributors before deciding which management options are reasonable to discuss.
ED Assessment & Treatment Discussion Guide
Answer a series of short questions to organise factors that may be useful to discuss during a medical assessment. The tool does not diagnose the cause of erectile dysfunction or recommend a particular treatment.
When penile implant surgery enters the discussion
A penile implant is an implanted medical device intended to provide penile rigidity. Surgery may be discussed with appropriately selected patients after individual assessment and consideration of reasonable alternatives.
Choosing to undergo implant surgery involves more than selecting a device design. The discussion may include the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction, previous pelvic or penile surgery, penile fibrosis or curvature, anatomy, hand function, expectations and individual priorities.
No single implant design is appropriate for everyone. The choice should follow individual clinical assessment, examination, surgical counselling and informed consent.
Inflatable Design
Inflatable penile implant
Inflatable systems use implanted cylinders and a manually operated pump. Some designs also contain an implanted fluid reservoir.
Pump operation, component positioning and previous pelvic surgery are relevant considerations during planning.
Malleable Design
Malleable penile implant
Malleable systems use implanted bendable rods rather than a fluid-based inflation system.
Day-to-day positioning, ongoing firmness, anatomy and hand function are among the issues that may be discussed.
Already have a penile implant?
New difficulty operating an implant, a change in rigidity, pain, altered position, deformity, wound changes or another significant change may warrant assessment. Some problems relate to device function or positioning, while others may require consideration of revision surgery.
Living with a penile implant
Many questions about implant surgery relate to day-to-day life rather than the operation itself. These patient articles explore some of the practical questions people commonly want answered.
What Does a Penile Implant Look Like Under Clothes?
Learn about implant positioning, clothing and what may be noticeable after recovery.
Read article RelationshipsCan My Partner Tell I Have a Penile Implant?
A practical discussion of what a partner may notice before and during sexual activity.
Read article ExerciseCan You Ride a Bike or Surf With a Penile Implant?
Understand practical considerations around pressure, positioning and returning to activities after recovery.
Read article ExpectationsWhat About Penile Length After Implant Surgery?
Understand why pre-existing erectile dysfunction, scarring and penile conditions can influence perceived dimensions.
Read articleCurvature is only part of the assessment
Peyronie’s disease involves scar tissue within the penis and can cause changes in penile shape during erection.
The important issue is not simply whether curvature is present. Assessment considers the type of deformity, whether it is still changing, erection quality and how much the condition interferes with sexual activity or causes concern.
Not every penile curvature requires procedural treatment. Management should be guided by the individual clinical situation and functional impact.
Peyronie’s Treatment Explorer
Organise information about curvature, penile shape, erection quality, disease stability and functional impact before an assessment. The tool does not diagnose Peyronie’s disease or recommend a treatment.
What if I have both erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease?
Erection quality is an important part of the Peyronie’s disease assessment because it can change which management pathways are reasonable to consider.
When erections remain suitable for sexual activity, the discussion can focus primarily on the penile deformity and its functional impact.
When significant erectile dysfunction occurs alongside Peyronie’s disease, both issues need to be assessed together. In selected circumstances, implant surgery may form part of the surgical discussion, with additional correction of deformity considered where necessary.
A combined assessment may consider
- Erection quality
- Direction and degree of curvature
- Narrowing or hourglass deformity
- Penile stability
- Disease stability
- Previous penile treatment or surgery
- Penile fibrosis
- Individual priorities and expectations
Prepare better questions before your appointment
These educational tools organise information and discussion points. They do not diagnose a condition, determine whether surgery is appropriate or select a treatment for you.
ED Assessment & Treatment Discussion Guide
Work through the factors that may be relevant when discussing erectile dysfunction with a health professional.
Start the ED guidePeyronie’s Treatment Explorer
Organise information about curvature, penile shape, erection quality and disease stability.
Open the explorerPenile Implant Discussion Guide
Understand broad practical differences between implant designs and prepare questions for an informed surgical discussion.
Open the implant guideWhy see Dr Jack Crozier?
Dr Jack Crozier is a Brisbane urologist and fellowship-trained andrologist whose subspecialty practice includes erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, penile implant surgery and reconstructive andrology.
His advanced andrology fellowship experience at University College London Hospitals included penile prosthetic surgery, Peyronie’s disease surgery, male infertility and reconstructive andrology.
Consultation is directed toward understanding the underlying problem, reviewing reasonable management options and discussing the potential benefits, limitations and risks that apply to the individual situation.
About Dr Jack CrozierTravelling to Brisbane for assessment
Patients with complex erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, previous penile surgery or an existing penile implant may seek assessment from elsewhere in Queensland, interstate or overseas.
Previous operative reports, relevant investigations and implant information can be useful when planning an assessment, particularly after previous penile or pelvic surgery.
Useful information to bring
- Current medication list
- Relevant specialist correspondence
- Previous penile or pelvic operation reports
- Implant information or identification card if applicable
- Relevant imaging or investigation results
- Photographs documenting penile curvature where appropriate
ED, penile implant & Peyronie’s FAQs
When should I seek assessment for erectile dysfunction?
Assessment may be useful when erectile difficulty is persistent, worsening, occurring after pelvic treatment, associated with penile curvature or pain, or remains problematic despite previous management. The appropriate evaluation varies according to the individual circumstances.
Does erectile dysfunction always have a physical cause?
No. Erectile dysfunction can have physical, psychological, relationship-related or mixed contributors. The pattern of erections and relevant medical history can help guide assessment.
Does difficulty with previous ED treatment mean I need an implant?
Not necessarily. Penile implant surgery is one possible pathway. Whether it is appropriate depends on the individual clinical situation, previous management, anatomy, medical history and personal priorities.
Is an inflatable or malleable penile implant better?
There is no single implant design that is best for every patient. Inflatable and malleable implants have different practical characteristics. Anatomy, hand function, previous surgery, scarring and individual priorities should be considered during surgical counselling.
Can a penile implant need another operation later?
Yes. An implanted device can develop mechanical, positioning, infection, erosion or other problems over time. Some patients may eventually require revision, replacement or removal.
What symptoms with an existing penile implant need prompt review?
Increasing pain, redness, swelling, wound discharge, skin breakdown, fever or exposure of an implant component should prompt urgent medical assessment. A significant new change in implant position or function should also be assessed.
Does every penile curvature need treatment?
No. Management is generally guided by symptoms, disease stability and functional impact rather than curvature alone. A stable curvature that does not interfere with sexual function may not require procedural treatment.
Does Peyronie’s disease always get worse?
No. The course varies between individuals. Some patients experience a period of changing curvature or pain followed by greater stability. Assessment can be useful when changes are ongoing or the condition interferes with sexual function.
What if I have both Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction?
Both problems should be assessed together because erection quality can influence the management discussion. The appropriate pathway depends on penile anatomy, deformity, erectile function, previous treatment and individual priorities.
Can penile implant surgery be considered when Peyronie’s disease is also present?
In selected patients with significant erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease, implant surgery may form part of the surgical discussion. The penile deformity is assessed at the same time, and additional corrective steps may be considered where required.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring a current medication list and relevant previous medical correspondence, investigations or operation reports. If attending because of penile curvature, photographs of the erect penis from above and from the side can be useful. If you already have a penile implant, bring implant information or your identification card if available.
You do not need to work out the pathway yourself.
An assessment can help clarify whether the main issue is erectile dysfunction, penile deformity, a combination of both, or a problem relating to previous penile surgery or an existing implant.
This page provides general educational information only and is not individual medical advice, diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. The appropriate investigations and management options vary according to individual clinical circumstances, potential benefits and risks, and patient preferences. Surgical procedures and implanted medical devices have potential risks and limitations that should be discussed during individual consultation and informed consent.