Connection Between a Bent Penis and Beta Blockers

Penises come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and since variety is the spice of life, that’s a good thing. True, they all have a certain physical resemblance that marks something as recognizably a penis. But the variation can sometimes be significant - and in some cases a matter of a penis health concern. For example, when a man has a seriously bent penis - not one with some slight curvature, but true bending - this often means he suffers from Peyronie’s disease, a connective tissue disorder. In some such cases, medications known as beta blockers may play a role in the creation of this extremely bent penis.

About Peyronie’s disease

Again, it is important to emphasize that not every curved penis is a victim of Peyronie’s disease. Many penises have a natural curve to them, whether up, down, to the left, or to the right. This curvature is something many partners find attractive and appealing; it is only when the curvature becomes so significant as to cause pain and/or make penetration difficult that a bent penis becomes a problem.

Typically, Peyronie’s disease occurs when there is a buildup of plaque or scar tissue in one area of the penis. This most often is the result of trauma to the penis, such as occurs when a man is kneed forcefully in the penis or when a man endures repeated small traumas over a period of time. When the wounded area heals, it forms scar tissue, which is much less flexible than penis skin and tissue. If there is enough scar tissue, it will limit the ability of the penis to expand naturally, pulling back on the side that is affected and causing the bent penis.

In some cases, this can cause very painful erections. And when the penis is bent too much, it may create difficulty in the penis being able to penetrate the vagina or anus.

Beta blockers

So where do beta blockers come into the picture? Beta blockers are a class of medicine that is often used to treat people with hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can be a dangerous condition. Also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta blockers are intended to lower blood pressure, and the way they do this is by lowering the amount of epinephrine - that is, lowering the adrenaline in the body, which makes the heart therefore beat slower.

Beta blockers have for some time been associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. This is primarily because the medication can lower the production of testosterone, which has an impact on libido and erectile function. But more recently, it has been thought that beta blockers might play a role in contributing to Peyronie’s disease.

Why? Because beta blockers are known to, in some cases, create fibrotic tissue, which is similar to scar tissue. If fibrotic tissue develops on the penis, it can cause severe bending.

If a man believes that beta blockers may be causing his penis to bend, he should discuss possible alternatives with his doctor - but he should not simply cease taking his medication on his own. This could have significant blood pressure consequences. It is better to bring up the problem with the doctor and determine what might be a better course of treatment.

A bent penis from beta blockers or other sources reminds a man of the importance of maintaining his penis health, which is aided by daily use of an excellent penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Look for an oil that includes vitamin C, as this vitamin helps with the tone and elasticity of penis skin. In addition, the best oil will also contain L-carnitine, an amino acid that has been shown to protect against nerve damage caused by friction, compression, and other common injuries. Since scar tissue may decrease penis sensitivity, this nerve damage protection can come in handy.

Can Beta Blockers Cause a Bent Penis?

Beta blockers are a popular treatment for controlling blood pressure, but is there any reason to worry about what effect they might have on penis health? There have been some studies which indicate they might increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. Some studies indicate that beta blockers can be a risk factor for developing Peyronie’s disease, also known as the "bent penis disease."

About beta blockers

Sometimes called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta blockers are frequently prescribed for high blood pressure and migraines. The drug basically works by "blocking" epinephrine, a hormone which people know more familiarly as adrenaline.

Beta blockers can either work on the heart alone or on the heart and blood vessels. When used properly, they force the heart to beat a little more slowly, which in turn brings down otherwise-elevated blood pressure. Sometimes the medicine also helps open up blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more freely - thereby also helping to reduce high blood pressure.

Typically, beta blockers aren’t prescribed for high blood pressure until other methods have been tried and found wanting. They also are often prescribed in tandem with other medications that treat high blood pressure.

A number of studies have indicated that a man who uses beta blockers is at increased risk of erectile dysfunction. This seems to be due to a decrease in testosterone brought about by the beta blockers, which in turn can decrease sex drive and/or the ability to attain and maintain an erection.

The bent penis connection

Some curvature of the erect penis is quite common among men. When the degree of curvature is slight, it usually causes no problem. However, when the degree is significant, it can make penetration difficult. In addition, erections themselves may become painful when the bent penis is too severely curved. Cases of extreme curvature are typically labeled as Peyronie’s disease.

In most cases, the bent penis occurs thanks to a build-up of plaque due to repeated injury. When trauma occurs on the penis, scar tissue develops as part of the healing process. If layers of scar tissue develop in one place, it can affect the elasticity of the penis skin. Thus when an erection occurs, the section loaded with scar tissue acts to prevent the skin from stretching, causing the curvature.

How do beta blockers come into play here? One of the side effects of beta blockers is the development of fibrotic tissue. If this occurs on the penis, it has the same effect as layers of scar tissue, interfering with the natural elasticity of the penis skin. Thus, a bent penis may develop.

Of course, there can be other reasons why a man comes down with a bent penis. However, if a link between the bent penis and beta blocker usage seems likely, a man should discuss this with his doctor to determine if another medication might be used in place of the beta blocker.

Whether caused by beta blockers or another reason, men with a severely bent penis should apply a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . As mentioned, Peyronie’s disease is often accompanied by significant penis pain when the penis is erect. A crème with a potent combination of moisturizers, such as Shea butter (a high-end emollient) and vitamin E (a natural hydrator) can help provide some soothing relief. In addition, try to find a crème that contains vitamin C. This vitamin is essential for giving penis skin the tone and elasticity it needs; while it may not cure scar tissue build-up, it can help provide greater elasticity.