For men with Peyronie’s disease who want to reduce penile curvature without surgery, Xiaflex offers a proven, non-surgical option — and it holds a distinction no other Peyronie’s treatment can claim: it is the only medication approved by the FDA for the condition. Administered as a series of in-office injections that break down the scar tissue responsible for the curve, Xiaflex has helped many men straighten their erections and restore their confidence.
Dr. Justin Houman is a board-certified urologist, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Assistant Professor of Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center whose practice is recognized as a Center of Excellence for Xiaflex — a designation reflecting significant experience with the treatment. Fellowship-trained in male reproductive and sexual medicine at UCLA, he combines technical precision in injection and modeling with the judgment to know when Xiaflex is the right choice. His expertise in men’s sexual health has been featured in national media including Men’s Health.
I highly recommend Dr. Houman. He’s a great listener and has provided me with a treatment that has made a positive impact on my life. I trust him 100%. After years of suffering, all of my symptoms have been alleviated and all the health benefits are amazing.
What Is Xiaflex?
Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) is an injectable medication and the only FDA-approved treatment for Peyronie’s disease. It’s made from an enzyme that breaks down collagen — the building block of the scar tissue, or plaque, that causes the penis to curve. By dissolving that plaque, Xiaflex reduces the curvature without surgery or downtime. Because it targets the plaque specifically, it’s used for Peyronie’s disease rather than for curvature that has no scar tissue, such as congenital curvature.
How Xiaflex Treats Peyronie’s Disease
The curve in Peyronie’s disease comes from a band of collagen-rich scar tissue that prevents the penis from expanding evenly during an erection. Xiaflex works by enzymatically breaking down that collagen, softening and reducing the plaque so the penis can straighten. The injections are paired with penile modeling — gentle stretching and reshaping — which helps remodel the treated tissue. Together, these two steps are what produce the improvement in curvature over the course of treatment.
Is Xiaflex Right for You?
Xiaflex is best suited to specific candidates. It’s generally appropriate for men with stable Peyronie’s disease who have a palpable plaque and a curvature of at least 30 degrees. It isn’t used for congenital curvature, which involves no plaque, and it isn’t right for every plaque location or severity. During a consultation, Dr. Houman examines the plaque, assesses the degree of curvature, and confirms whether Xiaflex is the most appropriate option or whether another approach — including those covered on the Peyronie’s disease page — would serve you better.
The Xiaflex Treatment Process
Xiaflex is given in treatment cycles, all performed in the office. In each cycle, after a numbing cream is applied, the medication is injected directly into the Peyronie’s plaque — typically two injections spaced a few days apart. Dr. Houman then performs gentle penile modeling to stretch and reshape the tissue, and provides instructions for the at-home stretching that’s essential to success. Most men undergo up to four cycles, spaced roughly six weeks apart, giving the enzyme time to break down the scar tissue between sessions.
Xiaflex Results and Safety
In clinical studies, Xiaflex produced a meaningful average reduction in penile curvature — on the order of a third — along with improvement in the distress the condition causes. Results build gradually across the cycles, and diligent at-home stretching strongly influences the outcome. Like any medical treatment, Xiaflex has side effects: most men experience some penile bruising, swelling, and pain near the injection site, which typically resolve on their own. Less commonly, more serious effects such as a penile hematoma or, rarely, a tear in the erectile tissue can occur. For this reason, men are advised to avoid sexual activity for about two weeks after each treatment cycle and until any pain and swelling have resolved. Dr. Houman reviews these risks thoroughly so you know exactly what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Xiaflex
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Yes — Xiaflex is the only FDA-approved medication for Peyronie’s disease, indicated for men with a palpable plaque and curvature of at least 30 degrees.
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Men with stable Peyronie’s disease, a palpable plaque, and a curve of at least 30 degrees are typically good candidates; it isn’t used for congenital curvature, which has no plaque.
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Treatment is given in cycles — usually two injections per cycle, up to four cycles spaced about six weeks apart — combined with penile modeling and at-home stretching.
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No — it’s a non-surgical, in-office treatment with no formal recovery period, though sexual activity should be paused for about two weeks after each cycle.
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In studies, men experienced a meaningful average reduction in curvature; results develop gradually, and consistent at-home stretching meaningfully improves the outcome.
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Common effects include bruising, swelling, and pain at the injection site; less commonly, more serious effects such as a penile hematoma or a tear in the erectile tissue can occur, which is why technique and proper aftercare matter.
Why Choose Dr. Houman for Xiaflex in Los Angeles
- Xiaflex Center of Excellence: Recognized experience with the only FDA-approved Peyronie’s medication.
- Precise Injection and Modeling: Technique that directly influences how well treatment works.
- Thorough Candidate Selection: Careful assessment to confirm Xiaflex is the right fit.
- Honest Safety Guidance: A clear discussion of results, risks, and aftercare.
Meet Dr. Houman
Expert in Men’s Health with Tower Urology and Cedars Sinai
Dr. Justin Houman, MD, FACS is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained microsurgeon at Tower Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His subspecialty training in male reproductive medicine and microsurgery is held by fewer than 2% of practicing urologists in the United States.
His clinical focus is narrow by design. Varicoceles, chronic testicular pain, male infertility, vasectomy, testosterone optimization, erectile dysfunction, penile implant surgery, and Peyronie’s disease are not add-on services here. They are the practice. Patients travel from across the country and internationally for procedures, particularly microsurgical varicocelectomy, spermatic cord denervation, and inflatable penile implant surgery, that require a level of subspecialty training and surgical volume most urology practices do not have.
Xiaflex for Peyronie’s Disease in Los Angeles
If Peyronie’s disease has left you with a bothersome curve, Xiaflex may offer real improvement without surgery — and experience with the treatment makes a meaningful difference. As a Xiaflex Center of Excellence, Dr. Houman provides expert, discreet care for men across Los Angeles and Southern California. Contact the Los Angeles office to schedule a consultation and find out whether Xiaflex is right for you.
