Many Strapcart readers have sent inquiries regarding bent, crooked, or curved penises to our erectile dysfunction expert over the years.
Some people claim that their penis resembles a banana. Some fear it will have an impact on how they perform sexually. The majority think that having a curved penis is embarrassing and are searching for methods to lengthen, straighten, or otherwise make it appear more “normal”.
While an emphasis on appearance is to be expected, very few men realize that a medical condition could be the reason for their curved penis.
A layer of plaque, or hard fibrous tissue, that appears as a lump on the penis, is the cause of Peyronie’s disease. The penis may appear bent or curved when it is erect due to the plaque pulling it to one side.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that you don’t always have Peyronie’s disease just because your penis isn’t perfectly straight. Penises are diverse in size and shape, and a small bend is considered normal. Peyronie’s disease typically manifests in men with additional symptoms as well.
The Mayo Clinic states that these additional symptoms could consist of:
- Erectile dysfunction, or problems getting or keeping an erection
- An uncomfortable penis (which can happen during sex and with or without an erection).
- Penis shrinkage, or a discernible reduction in length
These symptoms may come on slowly over time or rather quickly. You should speak with a urologist if you experience any of these problems. A urologist is a medical professional who specializes in treating male reproductive disorders and female urinary problems.
The following are some frequently asked queries regarding Peyronie’s disease:
What causes Peyronie’s disease?
- While the exact causes of this disorder are unknown, Peyronie’s disease is frequently brought on by abnormal healing following a penis injury, according to the Urology Care Foundation. Sexual activity is most likely the cause of this trauma, which can be quite minor. Numerous additional factors have been proposed by researchers as potential causes of the condition. Additionally, some data point to the possibility that Peyronie’s disease is genetic or even the outcome of an autoimmune condition.
How is Peyronie’s disease diagnosed?
- A penile exam will be conducted by a urologist. He will search for any hard, fibrous tissue that might be the source of the curvature during the examination. According to Urology Health, a urologist may occasionally inject saline solution into the penis to induce an erection. To make an accurate diagnosis, an X-ray or ultrasound of the penis might be necessary in some circumstances.
How is the condition treated?
- The course of treatment will typically be determined by the defect’s unique features and symptoms. The curvature will usually not need to be treated if it does not result in uncomfortable sex or painful erections.
- In some cases, the patient may receive oral medications to lessen the amount of fibrous, hardened tissue in the penis, such as potassium aminobenzoate or vitamin E. Colchicines, an anti-inflammatory that has been demonstrated to lower collagen production, is also prescribed.
- Medications like interferon or verapamil are also injected into the penile region. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States approved Xiaflex, a new medication that is also injectable. Xiaflex functions by dissolving scar tissue or plaque. The advantage of these injections is that the drug is applied directly to the area that is ill.
- If Peyronie’s disease is severely incapacitating, surgery might be necessary. Urologists will typically save it for last even in those cases. One typical procedure, according to WebMD, is to remove the plaque and replace it with a skin or synthetic graft. To counteract the bending, another option is to remove the tissue on the other side of the affected area.
- A penile implant may be taken into consideration if the patient has both Peyronie’s disease and severe erectile dysfunction.
How common is Peyronie’s disease?
- Men may find a perceived penile defect extremely embarrassing, so it’s likely that the prevalence of Peyronie’s disease is much lower than it should be. Because of this, Urology Health calculates that the condition may affect anywhere from 1 and 23% of men. Most of the patients are over 30, and the condition is uncommon in younger men.
- See a doctor right away if you think you might have Peyronie’s disease or anything else affecting your penis. Getting professional advice is crucial to avoid future complications, improve your sex life, and regain your confidence, regardless of how ashamed you are of your penis.
