Breaking Stigma and Enhancing Communication: The Peyronie’s Disease Self-Assessment App

Peyronie’s disease (PD) causes fibrous plaque buildup in the penis, leading to curvature, pain, and significant sexual and emotional challenges that affect both patients and their partners. Despite its impact, PD often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated, partly due to embarrassment and stigma that can hinder open discussion and timely treatment. In our original article, we described the development of a free, privacy-focused smartphone app (Android- and iOS-compatible), designed in collaboration with patients and health care providers (HCPs) to help men privately assess for PD, improve understanding of the condition, and support communication with HCPs and sexual partners.

Key app features:

Self-assessment questionnaire on PD symptoms, including penile curvature, penetration difficulty, and impact on sexual activity, including effects on a partner
A guided scanning feature allows users to scan their erect penis and generate two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) representative images with curvature measurements (Figure 1)
- An instructional video demonstrates how to perform the scan accurately
- Users can align the scan to the points of maximum curvature
- A new feature added since the original publication allows users to choose between the front-facing (selfie) or rear camera to perform the scan, depending on preference and positioning needs
- Nodules or lumps can be marked directly on the images
- No photos or direct images are created or stored in the app or in the device’s photo gallery. Scans are saved to a secure in-app scan library, allowing users to view representations over time (no scans are saved outside the app).

Figure 1. PD App Scanning Process

Users can email scans and questionnaire responses directly to an HCP or to themselves
Links to educational resources and a searchable provider directory are provided in partnership with the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA), with European resources supported by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM)
Protection of user privacy. All personal data (including scans, questionnaires, and results) is stored within the app on the user’s device. No account is required. No data is shared outside the app unless the user chooses to send information by email.
- Users can delete their scans manually within the app or completely remove all data by uninstalling the app, which erases all stored information permanently from the device
- The app operates without registration or cloud backup, so password resets and data recovery are not possible; deletion is definitive

The app is freely available in English and Spanish across the United States, with international availability in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom added since the original publication

Most importantly, the PD Self-Assessment app serves as a communication catalyst. The instructional video and questionnaire prompt self-reflection and encourage men to consider how PD affects both themselves and their partners. By addressing issues such as partner impacts and penetration difficulty, the app helps reduce stigma and opens the door to sensitive conversations. Its features were designed to support learning, symptom documentation, and more productive consultations with HCPs. Ultimately, the app empowers men to articulate their experiences, engage with their partners, and prepare for informed, collaborative care.

Written by: Gregory A. Broderick,¹ Jesse N. Mills,² Christopher Davis,³ and Mohit Khera⁴

Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Research and Development, Keenova Therapeutics plc., Malvern, PA, USA
Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA

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