Vitamin E (400-1200u) (oral)
Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It is inexpensive and free of adverse effects.

Colchicine
Colchicine is often used to treat gout. Colchicine inhibits mitosis, the process of cell division. Granulocytes -- cells involved in inflammation -- are particularly affected. Colchicine has gastrointestinal side effects and can cause leukopenia, a reduction of the white blood cell count in the blood.

Potaba (oral)
Potaba (potassium p-aminobenzoate) is considered an "antifibrotic" medication, and is thought to prevent fibrosis (thickening) by increasing oxygen uptake in the tissues. The recommended dose is 24 pills a day, taken only a few hours apart for several months. Many patients are discouraged by this schedule.

Verapamil (penile injection)
Verapamil is a calcium inhibitor, often used to treat hypertension. Injection of this agent into the area of plaque may alter the function of fibroblasts, cells that are involved in wound healing after an injury.

These and other treatments have potential benefits, but none of them has been shown to have a significant therapeutic effect in well-designed clinical trials. This is especially true when the standard for success is defined as a correction of penile curvature to a shape that permits satisfactory intercourse.

Individuals in early stages of Peyronie's disease are not considered candidates for corrective surgery. Even those with mature disease are discouraged from undergoing penile reconstruction at our Center if they do not have curvature that interferes with intercourse. (Patients with erectile dysfunction are treated for that condition.) A decision regarding treatment -- surgery in particular -- is individual, and our recommendation is based on a complete history, physical examination and the results of testing.

Many men do have mature disease that interferes with intercourse, and they have tried nonsurgical treatments without success. We schedule erectile-function testing, and then we recommend corrective surgery if it is appropriate. The goal of surgery is to straighten the penis so the individual can resume intercourse

Surgical treatment options include a plication ("folding") procedure where the "long side" is shortened. In another approach, a graft can be placed in the area of the scar to lengthen the short side. Many materials can be used as grafts including skin, vascular tissue and commercially available materials. At the Center, we prefer to use skin grafts.

There is a risk of erectile dysfunction with Peyronie's surgery, especially when a graft is used. This risk is greater when there is underlying dysfunction before treatment, which is the reason we test erectile function before surgery. Individuals with impairment are encouraged to have a plication; although the penis will be shorter than when a graft is used, erectile function is likely to be better maintained.