So you have noticed that your penis is a little curved, and you wonder if it is normal. In most cases, it is normal. Just like your body is not perfectly symmetrical, it is normal for the penis to curve slightly to the right or left. There is no call for alarm when the penis is mildly curved and doesn’t cause pain. It is best to accept it as part of your anatomy.
However, if the penis has a severe curve, noticeably bends in one direction, or causes pain and discomfort during intercourse, it is crucial to seek medical attention. This is because your penis might not be okay and may need some professional chordee repair. Read on to learn more about the penile curvature and how it is treated.
What Is Penile Curvature?
Curvature can be used to describe any curving of the body parts. It is common for a penis to curve slightly, but penile curvature is often used to describe a penis with an abrupt curve that causes pain and discomfort. The condition affects 1-5% of males. Some are born with this condition, while others develop it over time. Penis curvature that develops later in life is referred to as Peyronie’s disease.
What Are The Causes of Penile Curvature?
A curved penis can be either;
- Congenital penile deviation: This is a rare condition that has been there since birth or as long as you can remember. This is because it is easily noticeable when a young man becomes sexually mature. It is mostly a congenital abnormality, which is often associated with an abnormal position of the urine outlet. It can be because of an overgrowth of either side of the penis to the opposite side.
- Acquired penile deviation: This is a penile curvature that develops later in life. It is commonly due to fibrosis (Peyronie’s Disease). It can also be due to trauma, penis fracture, or consistent use of erection-enhancing medicines often injected into the penis. If you develop penile curvature, you might experience pain in your penis and feel tissue hardening as the curve forms. Some of the common factors among men with acquired penile deviation include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol disorders, and erectile dysfunction. They can also experience Dupuytren’s contracture that causes one of few fingers to remain bent into the palm.
Diagnosing Penis Curvature
Congenital penile curvature is usually recognized in early childhood. However, in acquired penile curvature, repetitive trauma and injury cause inflammation in the penis. The tissues around the swelling do not heal properly. At first, you might feel pain under the skin, but you can notice curving of the penis and hard plaque formation over time. Although the pain decreases or mostly disappears, the curvature causes painful erections and can affect your sexual performance.
Seeking early medical attention can help stabilize the curvature before it worsens. In the first evaluation, the doctor will assess your general health status, current symptoms, order of appearance, and the presence of erectile dysfunction and other risks. They examine the penis by looking for tender and firm areas of scar tissue. This is how the problem is diagnosed. If your practitioner needs more information, they can order an X-ray to check where there is calcium build-up. They might also request a photograph of your erect penis to better determine the extent of the damage.
How Is Penile Curvature Treated?
The diagnosis and treatment for Peyronie’s disease and congenital penile curvature are often similar. In most cases, there is no clear function of curvature that demands treatment. However, personal aesthetics, pain and discomfort, and inability to engage in sexual intercourse are reasons for treatment. Treatment can include watchful waiting, surgery, or drug therapy. It is vital to assess if the disease is still active. It will influence the chordee repair technique or the timing of surgery. The disease is considered stable when the pain goes away, and the curvature has not increased for three months. Let us look at the treatment methods:
- Watchful waiting: Doctors recommend the wait-and-see approach if the penile curvature is not severe, is not increasing, there is no pain during sex, pain is mild during erection, erectile function is good, and the plaque has not stabilized yet. In this case, you’ll have to see your practitioner routinely or whenever you see any changes. If the symptoms worsen, your doctor can recommend another treatment option.
- Drug treatment: Medication is often recommended for early-stage penile curvature. It can also be suitable for patients unfit or unwilling to undergo surgery. Drug treatment focuses on reducing plaque formation and minimizing the penis curvature. The treatment can be administered as oral drugs, penile injections, or other topical treatments. Topical treatments, such as traction and vacuum devices, stretch the penis while opposing the curvature.
- Surgery: Surgery is usually reserved for men with severe and disabling penile deformities that affect their sexual life. Some medical practitioners recommend putting off the surgery until the condition stops worsening and the patient is pain-free for up to three months.
The three types of surgery for chordee repair include penile shortening, penile lengthening, and placing a prosthetic device in the penis. The type of surgery always depends on the extent of your condition, your preference, location of scar tissue, penile length, and response to drug treatment for erectile function. Choosing a highly qualified medical practitioner is crucial to avoid the risk of recurrent curvature, erectile dysfunction, or failed procedure altogether.
In Summary
It is not abnormal to have a small amount of curvature in your penis. However, if your penis is noticeably curved or if the curvature is painful and brings discomfort during sex, it is best to talk to an experienced healthcare provider. Your doctor will assess your condition and recommend the best treatment. From drug treatment to surgical procedures, there are various chordee repair techniques to improve your quality of life. Hypospadias Specialty Center is one of the places where you can get the best quality care. Our friendly practitioners will work with you to choose the treatment style that suits your needs, general health, and lifestyle.