Bent Penis Diagnosis: Assessing Peyronie’s Disease

There’s a case that can be made that some men are too obsessed with their penis, but even if that is so, is it any wonder? Advertisements and many other forms of media bombard our culture constantly with images and stories that emphasize the importance of physical perfection, creating pressure to conform to that ideal. And although it is not always explicitly stated, there is an implication that perfection must include the penis. So how does that make a guy feel who, even if he is very adherent to penis care routines, still finds himself with what might be perceived as an imperfection - such as a severely bent penis? If a little attractive curving has morphed into an actual bent penis, he may be suffering from Peyronie’s disease and should see a doctor for an assessment and diagnosis.

About Peyronie’s disease

Although a guy with a bent penis may seek a diagnosis strictly because he is worried about the physical appearance of his mighty member, there’s a legitimate penis health reason to be concerned as well. Often when a penis is severely curved, it can make penetrative sex difficult and/or painful. And often having an everyday erection can itself become painful.

Peyronie’s disease is named after the doctor who first described it in the medical literature and is actually fairly common; some studies estimate that it affects about 10% of men. It is a connective tissue disorder involving the growth of plaque in the penis. When this plaque gets too big, it prevents the penis skin from stretching as fully as it needs to during the erectile process. This results in the penis bending at the point of plaque deposit.

In general, the plaque is thought to develop due to trauma to the penis. The healing process involves the development of the plaque, similar to the way scar tissue develops on a wound. The trauma may be a severe one-time occurrence, such as the penis being hit by a line-drive ball in baseball, or it may be due to repetitive injuries over time.

Assessment

A urologist can use a number of methods to assess and diagnose Peyronie’s disease. In order to properly assess, the penis must be erect and so a patient is generally given a drug intended to treat erectile dysfunction to produce the desired erect state. The doctor may then obtain a physical measurement of the degree of curvature. However, some smartphone apps create a picture of the erect penis as it appears when sexually stimulated rather than created through medication. Some doctors may also use 3D photo imagery to assess the degree of curvature.

In order to get a more accurate picture of the degree of plaque causing the issue, a doctor may utilize ultrasound techniques, which can also give a picture of penile vesicular health. An MRI can assess inflammation.

Most urologists tend to favor a physical measurement, but the other options are available if further information is necessary to determine the extent of the Peyronie’s.

Treatment

Based on the assessment, doctors may recommend various options for treatment, including oral medication, injections, electric current treatment or surgery.

A bent penis from Peyronie’s may heal better if the overall health of the penis is good. One way to help maintain that health is via daily application of a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . The better crèmes will contain L-carnitine, a neuroprotective ingredient that helps restore lost sensitivity, which can sometimes accompany Peyronie’s disease. It also is advisable to choose a crème with alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant that improves penis skin health by battling oxidative stress.

The Serious Problem that Can Lead to a Small Penis

When a man is old enough to think about his penis as a source of pleasure, he begins to think about the pleasure it might bring others - and that ultimately leads to questions about just how well their penis stacks up against that of other men. And inevitably, that leads to questions about penis size. For some, the idea of having a small penis is a frightening prospect, so they focus on great penis care to keep what they have in tip-top shape.

But unfortunately, sometimes men will overlook certain easy penis care issues that can actually lead to a small penis. These issues can result in Peyronie’s disease, which can lead to major penis health problems, including the loss of length from the member.

How does a man develop Peyronie’s disease?

The most common cause of Peyronie’s disease is small traumas, over a long period of time, that create micro-tears in the skin of the penis. Those tiny tears and irritations heal over and over again, eventually forming scar tissue to protect the area. That scar tissue becomes a problem, as it inhibits the movement of the penis, especially when a man becomes erect. Instead of having a very slight, natural curve, the man winds up with a more severe curvature that can become worse as time goes on.

The result of this is a gradual shortening of the penis. In fact, a man can wind up losing up to an inch - possibly more - and he can experience other penis problems too, such as pain when he becomes erect, or difficulty with penetration when he’s with a partner.

It’s important to remember that some men do have a curvature of the penis that is entirely natural - this curvature is often quite mild. Almost all men have this, so that’s not something to worry about. However, a man should keep close watch on that curve and make sure it doesn’t get worse over time, or that the penis doesn’t begin to bend the other way - either of these could indicate a problem with scar tissue inside the penis.

How can a man avoid losing inches from his penis?

Avoiding Peyronie’s disease should be the goal of every man. But it can be tough to make changes when it doesn’t appear that certain pleasurable habits are causing any problems. For instance, a man who uses a "death grip" during masturbation might not notice any consequences of that act for many years - but once he does, it’s too late to turn back the hands of time.

That’s why the best way to prevent losing inches from the penis - or any other penis problems - is to engage in good penis care every single day, without exception. This means treating the penis properly during masturbation, using plenty of lube during either masturbation or sex, and avoiding the minor irritations that add up over time. A guy can also take steps to ensure better penis health at all times, such as wearing a cup during contact sports to avoid the possibility of penis injury, taking care of any health issues as soon as possible with regular doctor visits, and wearing a condom at all times when with a new partner.

In addition, a man can use a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) every single day. The use of a penis crème with powerful amino acids, such as L-carnitine and L-arginine, can enhance the nerve endings as well as the blood flow received by the penis, which can both help improve penis function. A guy can also look for Shea butter and vitamin E as key ingredients, which keep the skin supple, smooth and more able to fight back against those minor irritations.

Losing Length? How to Prevent a Short, Small Penis

Men spend a great deal of time thinking about the size and length of their penis. Even a man who is well-endowed often has the feeling that he has, in fact, a small penis. Because of this, men are always looking for ways to improve the length and girth of their member. However, some men face the startling and awful problem of noticing their penis becoming smaller with time. Even if they step up their good penis care regimen, nothing quite seems to work - and so they begin to panic.

The cause behind that sudden smaller penis size is Peyronie’s disease. The good news is that it is avoidable! Here’s what a man needs to know about this surprisingly common issue.

What is Peyronie’s disease?

When a man suffers some sort of trauma to the penis, the result is often a buildup of scar tissue where the injury took place. This is quite normal; it’s the body’s way of healing itself. But when it happens in the penis, it can cause problems. That’s because the penis is meant to be elastic, able to stretch impressively when engorged with blood. When there is scar tissue where that elastic tissue is supposed to be, that area doesn’t stretch. The result is a penis that bends or curves. This is often referred to as Peyronie’s disease.

Though some amount of curvature is perfectly normal - in fact, it’s a rare man who has a perfectly straight penis! - a very pronounced curve or bend might lead to other problems later, such as pain during intercourse or even pain during erections. And even if a man doesn’t suffer that pain, he might notice that the placement of the scar tissue makes his penis enlarge a little bit less than it used to. A guy can actually lose up to an inch of length thanks to the scar tissue buildup.

But what if there hasn’t been any trauma to the penis? This is what confuses many guys about the situation. Though it’s easy to think of ‘trauma’ as something that happens suddenly, involves a lot of pain and blood, and takes a great deal of time to heal from, that’s not usually what causes Peyronie’s disease (though it certainly can!).

What actually happens is that the penis endures tiny tears and irritations over a long period of time. This can happen over several sessions of rough sex or masturbation, from a man masturbating in a certain position all the time, or from even using the same sexual techniques over and over when he’s in bed with a partner. Those tiny tears might be very slight, leading only to soreness from time to time. But each one leaves their mark in the form of tiny bits of scar tissue. Over time, that tissue can build up.

What can be done about a small penis?

The best way to avoid the problem with small penis size is to avoid trauma in the first place. This means varying the masturbation routine, changing up the sexual habits from time to time and taking care not to have a sore, irritated penis.

And if the penis does become sore and irritated, treat it immediately with a high-quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . Look specifically for a crème that contains vitamin C, which is great for collagen production, as well as vitamin B5, which is great for maintenance of healthy tissue. Shea butter and vitamin E, a one-two punch of hydration, can also help keep the penis skin smooth and supple, thus helping it expand as much as it should. Finally, look for a crème with alpha-lipoic acid, which helps the skin resist the rigors of aging.

Working on a Bent Penis: Treatments for Peyronie’s Disease

A bent penis can be a source of genuine concern for a man. Yes, a little curvature in the penis is common, but when the curvature is severe, it can create both physical and emotional problems. Most men with a severely bent penis are considered to have Peyronie’s disease, named after the doctor who first described it medically. Since sexual and penis health can be impacted by Peyronie’s, it helps to be aware of what treatments are out there for this condition.

In 2016, the World Journal of Men’s Health published "Nonsurgical Interventions for Peyronie’s Disease: Update as of 2016," an overview of the existing treatments for a bent penis. Following is a distillation of the information contained in that article.

Background

First, a little about Peyronie’s disease. The Mayo Clinic describes this disorder as "the development of fibrous scar tissue inside the penis that causes curved, painful erections." This scar tissue usually develops due to injury to the penis. For example, a man might be struck in the penis by a baseball, might slam his erection into a hard surface or might simply experience repeated rough (if pleasurable) handling during sex. Such activities create trauma in the penis; as it heals (even from small traumas like rough handling), scar tissue forms. If that tissue forms repeatedly in one area, it prevents the skin from stretching properly, causing the penis to bend during an erection.

Treatments

Among the treatment options are:

1. Oral options. A wide range of pills are sometimes used in treating Peyronie’s, including vitamin E, tamoxifen, L-carnitine and tadalafil. Such options are typically employed first, as they are the easiest treatment available. Typically, these therapies show results in cases where the scar tissue is less intense. Some of these options are also available for topical application directly on the penis skin.

2. Injections. More persistent cases may respond to the injection of medication directly in the area where the scar tissue build-up is pronounced. As of this writing, only one drug is approved for this method in the U.S. Many men resist this treatment as, understandably, the idea of injecting a needle into the penis does not appeal to them.

3. Traction. Traction therapy essentially works to pull the penis back into shape. A man wears (for several hours each day), a device that attaches to the penis and exerts force to pull it in the opposite direction of the curve. Traction devices tend to work best in conjunction with other therapies rather than on their own.

4. Shock wave therapy. A more recent addition, shock wave therapy uses high amplitude pulses of energy directed at the penis. Typically used on joint and tendon issues, the therapy seems to help with the pain that some experience from Peyronie’s but has not yet been shown to make much difference in the curvature.

5. Surgery. There are several surgical approaches to correct the curvature of Peyronie’s. Because some cases correct themselves over time, surgery is usually recommended only when the bent penis has been an issue for a year or longer and/or when the physical or emotional distress it causes is significant.

Whatever approach a man may take to treat a bent penis due to Peyronie’s disease, he is better positioned if his penis is in good health - and that is more easily obtained when he regularly utilizes a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . Some of the best crème contains both vitamin E and L-carnitine, which are sometimes used to help treat Peyronie’s. The best crème will also include vitamin D, the "miracle vitamin" that has proven benefits in fighting diseases and supporting healthy cellular function.

The Bent Penis: Medications That May Cause Peyronie's Disease

Some curvature of the penis is common, but when one has a severely bent penis, it can cause some significant issues for a man. There can be many causes of excessive curvature, and sometimes the medications a man is taking contribute to this condition. In order to ensure proper penis health, men need to know a little about Peyronie’s disease, as excessive curvature is often called.

What is Peyronie’s disease?
 
As stated above, many men have a small or modest degree of curvature to their penis when it is erect. This is not something to be concerned about. Many women find a degree of curvature quite aesthetically pleasing or exciting. As long as the curvature does not interfere with a man’s sexual pleasure, he usually need not be concerned.

In some cases, however, the bend is so extreme that sexual activity and enjoyment are negatively affected. When the source of this bending is a build-up of plaque or lumps in the penis, it is typically diagnosed as Peyronie’s disease.

Type of curve
 
Peyronie’s is not associated with a particular type of curve. It may bend up, down, to the left or to the right; the direction does not matter in terms of diagnosis. Sometimes, plaque builds up on both the top and bottom of the penis; in these cases, it may cause the penis to become somewhat shorter than it would otherwise be when erect.

Pain
 
In some instances there is little or no pain associated with Peyronie’s, but in other cases stiffening of the member may cause substantial pain. It is also not uncommon for a man with Peyronie’s to experience some pain or discomfort during sexual activities.

Conversely, some men report that the build-up of plaque actually causes a "deadening" or loss of some sensation in the penis. This often interferes with their sexual pleasure.

Causes
 
There are a number of things which can cause Peyronie’s. Trauma to the penis is a common cause, occurring when the member experiences rough handling or a sharp blow. There is also an association between Peyronie’s and gout, heart disease and diabetes.

Many doctors also believe that some medications and supplements can be contributing factors to this bent penis condition. Among the medications which are considered to be possible contributing factors are:

- Beta blockers. Many people with high blood pressure and/or heart disease are prescribed a class of medicines called beta blockers to help deal with these issues. Beta blockers are associated with fibrotic tissue disorders, which include Peyronie’s disease. If a man is using a beta blocker and suspects that there may be a connection with Peyronie’s in his case, he should discuss alternative medication options with his doctor.

- Anti-seizure drugs. Some drugs used to control seizures, such as phenytoin, are also on the Peyronie’s cause list. Again, discussing possible alternative with a doctor should be considered.

- Interferon. Interferon is often used in treating multiple sclerosis, as well as such conditions as leukemia and hepatitis C.

A severely bent penis, due to Peyronie’s or other causes, can be an issue for many men. If medications are adding to the problem, and others can safely be substituted, this will be a substantial help. However, a man may also want to use a quality penis health crème(health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to restore and maintain the organ’s health. (Even men without Peyronie’s can benefit substantially from a first-rate crème.) Those crèmes with acetyl L-carnitine are preferred; this is a neuroprotective ingredient which helps with peripheral nerve damage, such as that associated with Peyronie’s. Acetyl L-carnitine can assist in restoring lost sensitivity to the member. Another important ingredient in a crème is alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant. Alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-carnitine have a synergistic effect, and can offset harmful oxidative damage to penile cells.