Stylized illustration symbolizing healing and acceptance of penile deformities in Peyronie's disease.

Beyond the Curve: Understanding Penile Volume Loss and Peyronie's Disease

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research sheds light on the prevalence and impact of non-curvature deformities in men with Peyronie's disease, offering hope for improved diagnosis and treatment."

Peyronie's disease (PD) is often thought of as a condition primarily causing penile curvature, but the reality is far more complex. While the angle of the bend is a key diagnostic feature, many men with PD experience other significant changes, particularly those related to penile volume. These changes, often overlooked, can have a profound impact on sexual function, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life.

A new study published in Sexual Medicine delves into these less-discussed aspects of PD, focusing on penile volume-loss deformities. Researchers aimed to determine how common these deformities are and how they affect men diagnosed with PD. The research highlights the importance of looking beyond curvature to provide more comprehensive care.

This article breaks down the study’s findings, explaining what volume-loss deformities are, how they relate to PD, and what the results mean for individuals and their partners navigating this condition. We'll also explore potential avenues for future research and treatment.

What are Penile Volume-Loss Deformities?

Stylized illustration symbolizing healing and acceptance of penile deformities in Peyronie's disease.

Unlike curvature, which is a bend or angle in the penis, volume-loss deformities involve a reduction in the overall size or shape of the penis. The study identifies several types of these deformities:

Unilateral Indentations: A dent or notch on one side of the penis. Hourglass Deformities: A narrowing in the middle of the penis, resembling an hourglass shape. Distal Tapering: A reduction in the width of the penis towards the tip. These deformities occur because Peyronie's disease causes fibrosis, or scarring, in the tunica albuginea, the sheath that surrounds the erectile tissues of the penis. This scarring can restrict the tunica albuginea's elasticity, preventing normal expansion during an erection and leading to a loss of volume.

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center conducted a retrospective study of 128 men diagnosed with Peyronie's disease. They meticulously reviewed medical records, focusing on those who had undergone a specialized urological evaluation, which included a physical examination after a pharmacologically induced erection. They excluded patients with prior surgical correction for PD, prior penile prosthesis, and those who didn't achieve an adequate erection during the office examination to ensure accurate data collection on current conditions. The study revealed that a significant 65% of participants exhibited some form of volume-loss deformity. This high prevalence underscores how common these issues are among men with PD, even though they are not always the primary focus of diagnosis or treatment.

The Importance of Comprehensive Care

This study emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to consider all aspects of penile deformity in men with Peyronie's disease, not just curvature. By recognizing and addressing volume-loss deformities, clinicians can offer more tailored and effective treatment plans, ultimately improving patients' sexual function, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. Further research is needed to develop better methods for assessing and treating these often-overlooked aspects of Peyronie's disease. For those affected, know that you're not alone, and comprehensive care is possible.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.esxm.2018.07.003, Alternate LINK

Title: Beyond Curvature: Prevalence And Characteristics Of Penile Volume-Loss Deformities In Men With Peyronie'S Disease

Subject: Behavioral Neuroscience

Journal: Sexual Medicine

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Ezra J. Margolin, Matthew J. Pagano, Carrie M. Aisen, Ifeanyi C. Onyeji, Peter J. Stahl

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are penile volume-loss deformities associated with Peyronie's disease?

Penile volume-loss deformities in Peyronie's disease refer to a reduction in the size or shape of the penis, distinct from curvature. These deformities include unilateral indentations (a dent on one side), hourglass deformities (narrowing in the middle), and distal tapering (reduction in width toward the tip). These changes occur due to fibrosis or scarring in the tunica albuginea, restricting its elasticity and preventing normal expansion during erection.

How common are penile volume-loss deformities in men with Peyronie's disease, according to recent research?

A study at Columbia University Medical Center found that 65% of men diagnosed with Peyronie's disease exhibited some form of penile volume-loss deformity. The study involved a retrospective review of 128 men's medical records, focusing on specialized urological evaluations and physical examinations after pharmacologically induced erections. The researchers excluded patients with prior surgical correction for Peyronie's disease, prior penile prosthesis, and those who didn't achieve an adequate erection during the office examination.

Why is comprehensive care, that addresses more than curvature, so important in managing Peyronie's disease?

Comprehensive care for Peyronie's disease involves recognizing and addressing all aspects of penile deformity, not just curvature. Addressing volume-loss deformities allows clinicians to offer more tailored and effective treatment plans, potentially improving patients' sexual function, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. Future research should focus on developing better methods for assessing and treating these often-overlooked aspects.

How does Peyronie's disease directly cause penile volume loss?

Peyronie's disease leads to volume loss because the condition causes fibrosis, or scarring, in the tunica albuginea. The tunica albuginea is the sheath that surrounds the erectile tissues of the penis. Scarring restricts the tunica albuginea's elasticity, preventing normal expansion during an erection. This restriction results in various volume-loss deformities such as unilateral indentations, hourglass deformities, and distal tapering.

What advancements in Peyronie's disease volume loss treatments are on the horizon, and where should I look for future research?

While the study highlights the prevalence of volume-loss deformities and the need for comprehensive care, it does not delve into specific treatment options for these deformities. Future research could explore surgical and non-surgical interventions tailored to address unilateral indentations, hourglass deformities, and distal tapering. Additionally, the psychological impact of these specific deformities could be further investigated to refine patient support strategies. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of different treatment approaches and their impact on both physical and psychological well-being.