Some men can have a curved penis from birth or later. Is this normal? When to consult? What are the causes ? When to think of Peyronie’s disease, for example? Are there treatments to restore the right penis? Can we avoid it?
Having a bent penis: is it normal?
“If the penis has a slight curvature and this is not the source of discomfort, that is to say that the patient does not feel pain, that there is no psychological repercussion or that it does not pose any problem in the sexual life, it is not a question of a pathological curvature, but a physiological one”.
So no worries a priori. A curvature or deformation of the penis can in other cases be a sign of a malformation or disease and ” have a significant psychological and social impact” indicates the specialist.
There are two types of diseases that can be responsible for a curvature of the penis:
What are the causes of penile curvatures?
“There is no obvious cause for congenital curvatures . Certain mechanisms have been mentioned, involving in particular the embryological development of the penis and testosterone”.
Regarding Lapeyronie’s disease, the urologist explains that “the hypothesis of repeated micro-trauma during sexual intercourse is accepted as having an important role in its onset”.
What does peyronie’s disease look like?
Peyronie’s disease affects 3.4 to 9% of the adult male population in United States.
Peyronie’s disease can appear at any age and affects 3.4 to 9% of the adult male population according to the French Association of Urology .
“This pathology is characterized by the appearance of a rigid fibrous plaque which forms on albuginea ( the envelope surrounding the cavernous bodies) reminds.
We must think of this condition when we notice:
- An acquired deformity of the penis , which may be characterized by a curvature.
- A constriction of the penis evoking the appearance of an hourglass.
- A narrowing of the diameter or a shortening of the penis : “This phenomenon is due to a loss of elasticity.”
“This deformity is often accompanied, during the first months, by pain in the penis and can be associated with impotence”
How to treat Peyronie’s disease?
Peyronie’s disease is characterized by a deformity of the penis associated with pain and discomfort during an erection. How to treat her? By drugs or an operation? Which specialist to see?
Congenital curvature of the penis: what is it?
“This is an asymmetric expansion of the albuginea (envelope surrounding the cavernous body) during embryonic development, resulting in a curvature of the penis” explains the urologist.
It affects about 4-10% of men , but according to the doctors, “it is probably underestimated.” Why ? Many men do not dare to see a doctor or think that there is no treatment that can help their sexual disability.
There is no obvious cause for congenital penile curvature, nor any risk factor.
When to worry
“You have to worry about this when the curvature is responsible for a sexual handicap , linked to a loss of self-confidence, due to the alteration of the body image.
This curvature can lead to sexual performance anxiety and fear of not satisfying one’s partner. ”
When to consult?
Men who have a congenital curvature of the penis should consult when they want to start active sexuality (usually in adolescence) or when there is a significant psychological impact.
What are the tests to do in case of penile curvature?
In order to observe this pathology, various examinations can be carried out:
Some photographs of the penis erect taken of front, side and top. “They are interesting because they make it possible to establish the diagnosis and to evaluate the degree of curvature and its severity” informs the urologist.
An ultrasound of the penis , with injection of a product causing an erection. “This allows in some cases to look for an associated erectile dysfunction .”
Are there any treatments to make the penis erect?
Doctors explains that there are several treatments for different patients to deal with the repercussions of penile curvatures. They range from taking medication for pain to surgery:
- The analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed in the “early and painful phase of Peyronie’s disease,” says urologist.
- Of injections . ” Verapamil injections into the fibrous plaque that causes curvature may be offered, one injection every 3 weeks (up to 6 in total).”
If previous treatments have not worked, surgery may be considered in different cases:
- Whether there is an impact of the curvature on sexual penetration.
- If the curvature is large enough (greater than 30 °).
- If there is erectile dysfunction associated and resistant to medical treatment.
There are three types of operations :
- Plicatures of the albuginea (tissue envelope covering the cavernous bodies, erectile reservoirs of the penis) for relatively weak curvatures: the surgeon re-aligns the penis.
- The incisions of the rigid fibrous plate which causes the curvature, with placement of a graft for significant curvatures, that is to say greater than 60 degrees.
- The penile implants in cases of erectile dysfunction associated and resistant to medical treatment: it is placed within the corpora cavernosa implant that can provide the rigidity during erection and penetration.
What are the exercises to straighten the penis?
According to Doctors, there are a few exercises that the patient can do at home using specific tools: penile traction therapy , either through a pump device called Vacuum at the rate of 2 times 10 minutes per day for 4 months. , or by a penis extender to be left in place for 6 to 9 hours a day for 6 months. “This exercise is particularly recommended for the acute unstabilised phase of Peyronie’s disease.”
Can we prevent penile curvatures?
“There are no recognized means of prevention, both for congenital curvatures and for Peyronie’s diseases,” says the urologist.