Non-Surgical Treatments for
Peyronie's Disease
Over the years a variety of treatments have been tried in an attempt to cure or reduce the effects of Peyronie's disease. Unfortunately there is no magic pill that be taken and many of the treatments are unproven or in the early stages of use making it difficult to judge their effectiveness.
Taking vitamin E tablets has been a common treatment for many years. It does seem to lead to a decrease in the pain in about 50% of men but seems to have little impact on the plaques causing the deformity. The usual dosage is to take two vitamin E 400iu capsules a day
Aloe vera capsules are popular among Peyronie's sufferers. Aloe vera has well known wound and scar healing properties and sufferers usually take it on it's own or with vitamin E tablets.
A study showed that taking tamoxifen (usually used for breast cancer) can improve pain in up to 80% of men as well as reduced the size of plaques, and therefore penile curvature, in about 30% of the men taking it. The drug needs to be taken in the early stages of Peyronie's before the plaques harden. There is no evidence it can help men with established Peyronie's disease. Tamoxifen has few known side effects.
Potaba (Aminobenzoate Potassium) is used to treat conditions where the skin and surrounding tissue have become stiffened. For this reason it is sometimes used for Peyronie's disease. Studies are limited but seem to show it can stop the condition progressing in some early stage cases. However the dosage needs to be high and can cause side effects.
Injections into the plaques are sometimes used in an attempt to reduce their size. Steroid injections are available but studies have failed to show that they work particularly well. However Verapamil, (used for high blood pressure), have been shown to decrease the size of plaques as well as reduce pain.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
This is a fairly new treatment, at least when it comes to Peyronie's. This type of shockwave therapy is most commonly used to breakdown kidney stones and gallstones but it has been shown to be able to breakdown established, hardened plaques thus reducing curvature. Several treatments are needed but they are done on an outpatient basis. This form of treatment is not widely available yet.
See also traction devices for Peyronie’s disease and using vacuum pumps for Peyronie’s.