Penile curvature

The word curvature describes any type of curving body part. It is common for an erect penis to curve slightly. Penile curvature, however, describes an erect penis with an abrupt curve that can cause pain and interfere with sex (Fig. 1).

Some men were born with this condition (congenital penile curvature). In others, it develops over time. Penile curvature that develops later in life is called Peyronie’s disease.

If you were born with penile curvature

Your erect penis has always been bent. Usually, the penis is bent downwards, and this is noticeable as soon a young man becomes sexually mature. Congenital curvature is associated with other problems of the genital organs and is usually recognised during early childhood.

If you develop penile curvature

You may experience pain in your penis and/or be able to feel hardening of the tissue as the curve forms. Peyronie’s disease is considered a wound healing disorder. At some point during sex or other activity, the penis has been injured, and the tissues do not heal properly. Excess scar tissue forms in the layer (tunica albuginea) that surrounds the spongy erectile tissue (corpus cavernosa) and becomes a fibrous plaque.

Although usually described as rare, both types of penile curvature are likely more common than previously thought.

In Peyronie’s disease, repetitive injury and trauma are believed to cause inflammation in the penis. The tissues surrounding the swelling bodies of the penis do not heal properly, causing the formation of a fibrous plaque (fibrosis). You can see an example of this plaque in Figure 1.

In the beginning (first phase), you might feel pain and nodules under the skin. Over the course of several months, you will notice curving of the penis and the formation of hard plaque (second phase).

Although the pain will decrease and mostly disappear, the resulting curvature can cause painful erections and may prevent sexual penetration and intercourse.

Symptoms can include:

• Pain in the penis
• A ridge or hardening of the penis tissue that can be felt through the skin
• Soft or painful erections
• Decreased libido, lowered self-esteem, and depressive feelings

After the initial first phase, the curvature stabilises in about two-thirds of patients within several months. In a few patients (about 5%), Peyronie’s disease goes away without being treated.

Diagnosis and treatment are similar for congenital penile curvature and Peyronie’s disease. There is no clear function or angle of curvature that demands treatment. Personal aesthetics, pain, and the inability to have sex are reasons for treatment. Treatment can include:

• Watchful waiting
• Drug therapy
• Surgery

It is important to determine whether the disease is still active. This will influence medical treatment or timing of a surgery. The disease is considered to be stable when the pain has gone away and penile curvature has not increased for at least 3 months.

Watchful Waiting*

A wait-and-see approach may be recommended if:

• Penile curvature is not severe and is not increasing.
• There is no pain in the penis during sex.
• Pain is mild during erections.
• Erectile function is good.
• The plaque has not stabilised yet.

You will have to see your doctor regularly or if you notice any changes. If symptoms are severe or worsen over time, your doctor might recommend medication or surgery.

*Based on expert opinion

Drug treatment

Drug treatments are typically used for early-stage disease or for patients who are unfit or unwilling to undergo surgery. The goals of treatment with medication include reducing plaque formation and pain and minimizing curvature of the penis.

Although many drug options are available, they may not work for you. You can talk with your doctor about suitable options. Drug treatments can be divided into oral drug treatment, penile injections, and other topical treatments.

Drug treatment options

Oral drugs (the following list of medication has been tried with varying effect):

• Potassium para-aminobenzoate
• Tamoxifen
• Vitamin E
• Pentoxifylline
• Colchicine
• Acetyl esters of carnitine
• Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE51)

Penile injections (the following list of medication has been tried with varying effect):

• Verapamil
• Clostridium collagenase histolyticum (CCH)
• Interferon
• Steroids

Topical treatment:

• Extracorporeal shock wave treatment. This treatment might work directly (shock waves damage the plaque) or indirectly via improved blood supply
• Traction and vacuum devices. These are used to stretch the penis and oppose the curvature; application of both traction and vacuum devices takes several hours per day over the course of months.

Surgery

Surgery is reserved for men with severe, disabling penile deformities that make it hard to have sex.

Most health care providers suggest putting off surgery until the disease has stopped getting worse, and the patient has been pain-free for at least 3 months.

There are 3 types of surgery:

• Penile shortening (making the side of the penis opposite the plaque shorter)
• Penile lengthening (making the side of the penis that curves longer)
• Placing a prosthetic device inside the penis

Surgery may correct the curvature of your penis, but it carries risks. Penile extending devices have been reported to improve length after shortening operations if used for several hours a day over the course of months. The type of surgery will depend on your condition. Your doctor will consider:

• Your personal preference
• Location of scar tissue
• Severity of your symptoms
• Response to medication in case of erectile function
• Penile length

Possible side effects of penile curvature surgery:

• Failed procedures with the need for reoperation (the operation can fail for several reasons, including new plaque formation or active disease, shrinking of the graft, loosening of the sutures)
• Penile shortening
• Erectile dysfunction
• Numbness
• Risk of recurrent curvature
• Palpable knots and stitches underneath the skin
• Need for circumcision during surgery

What causes penile curvature?

Peyronie’s disease is a wound healing disorder. The most likely cause is some kind of injury to the penis. A significant one-time incident—for example, a sports accident, extremely vigorous sexual activity, or an invasive penile procedure like prostatectomy—is likely to be the cause when the disease develops rapidly. Peyronie’s disease can also be caused by multiple minor injuries to the penis, for example, through normal sexual intercourse over time. Men who have erectile dysfunction but who are able to penetrate are more likely to have buckling because the erect penis may not be sufficiently rigid.

Is there a cure for Peyronie’s disease?

Unfortunately, no cure is available for Peyronie’s disease, but a number of treatment options are available. Success can depend on the severity of the problem, age, and commitment to the chosen treatment.

Are men with Peyronie’s disease more likely to get any other illnesses?

Some men with Peyronie’s disease (about 13 of 100) develop fibrous plaque in other parts of the body. The most common sites are the hands and feet. Dupuytren’s contracture, which causes one or more fingers to stay bent into the palm of the hand, is linked to Peyronie’s disease. It is not clear what causes plaque to form or why men with Peyronie’s disease are more likely to get Dupuytren’s contracture.

Where can I find support?

My Peyronie’s

What is Peyronie’s disease? (Youtube video)