Could a curved penis be a sign of Peyronie’s disease?

If you notice that your penis, when erect, has developed a curved shape that was not previously there, you may be seeing signs of what is known as Peyronie’s disease.

This condition is rare, and there are treatment options available.

What is Peyronie’s disease?

Peyronie’s disease occurs when scar tissue develops under the skin of the penis. This can sometimes happen as a result of a fracture that occurs during intercourse, but the cause of the condition is otherwise unknown.

Peyronie’s is most commonly found in people over age 40, and those who have had surgery or radiation treatment for prostate cancer are at greater risk of developing it. Many people may feel embarrassed or ashamed, but there’s no need to feel this way — while it’s a rare disease, it’s also much more common than people are aware of because it’s not commonly discussed (as with many sexual health problems).

Is Peyronie’s disease painful?

It can be. With Peyronie’s disease, the scar tissue in the penis doesn’t stretch when an erection occurs, and this can hurt.

Other symptoms can include:

• Narrowing of the penis
• Problems with penetration
• Pain during intercourse
• Shortening of the penis

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a urologist.

How is Peyronie’s disease diagnosed?

A urologist can feel the scar tissue, whether the penis is erect or not. In some cases, you may end up receiving an injection to spur an erection, but showing your urologist a photo of your erect penis will also usually suffice.

What treatment options are there for Peyronie’s?

You might not need to treat Peyronie’s disease at all — symptoms can be mild and improve on their own over time.

But there are several complications that can make treatment a good option for patients. Among them:

• Trouble having intercourse
• Erectile dysfunction
• Difficulty conceiving a child because of challenges having sex

If you choose to seek treatment, your urologist can inject a medication into the scar tissue. The injected medicine has enzyme called collagenase that can break down the scar tissue. It’s usually given as a series of injections over the course of six months. Unfortunately, there are no recommended oral medications.

Surgery is also an option, usually used when the penis curvature is more severe (at 60-90 degrees) or if someone is interested in a shorter duration of treatment.

There are advantages and disadvantages to the injection versus surgery. Treatment should be individualized to everyone’s personal priorities and goals, so patients should be sure to have a detailed discussion with their doctor.