Men want to be both intimate and confident in the bedroom. But a variety of physical complications can stymie those desires.
While a slight curve to the penis is perfectly normal – and research indicates as many as 3 percent of all men have some degree of it – when the curvature is severe, it can affect a man’s sexual performance.
There are two main reasons for a penis to appear significantly curved or crooked: Peyronie’s disease and congenital penile curvature. In both cases, a man should visit his urologist to find out what options may be available to him to correct the curve and improve his sex life.
Peyronie’s Disease
When scar tissue (referred to as “plaque”) builds up inside the penis, it can cause the penis to bend upward or to the side – and result in pain when the penis is erect. This condition is called Peyronie’s disease.
The plaque buildup occurs due to repeated injuries to the penis, either during physical activity or sex. The fibrous scar tissue thickens over time, restricting the ability of the penis to stretch evenly during an erection. This uneven stretching is what causes the penis to bend.
Due to this abnormal penile curvature, a man with Peyronie’s disease may find sexual intercourse difficult, painful, or occasionally impossible.
The good news is that Peyronie’s disease is treatable.
There are nonsurgical options available, including injection therapy, oral medications, and traction to break up scar tissue, as well as several different surgical approaches to remove the plaque1.
Left untreated, Peyronie’s disease can cause penis tissue to waste away.
Congenital Penile Curvature
Although rare, some men are born with a bend in their penis. This is what is referred to as congenital penile curvature. Most often, the curve is typically bent downward or to the side and is apparent only during an erection. It does not tend to change over time.
Men with congenital penile curvature will not have any scar tissue buildup in the penis, as is the case with Peyronie’s disease. Even so, surgery remains the standard treatment to correct congenital penile curvature. No surgery should be undertaken lightly, and men are advised to consult a urologist to discover all the options available to them before settling on one.
To learn more about Peyronie’s disease and congenital curvature of the penis, and how to find the right treatment for you, call Ironwood Urology today at (480) 961-2323 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Avila or request an appointment online.
