Most penises curve a little to the left, right, up or down – this is completely normal and harmless. However, if the penile curvature is very pronounced when erect, it can cause pain and other complications. We will tell you when a crooked penis becomes dangerous and what treatment options are available.
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Crooked penis: clinical picture and causes
A slight curvature of the penis is quite normal and common in many men when erect. However, if one of the two cavernous bodies is scarred or hardened in places, pathological penile curvature can occur, which is medically referred to as induratio penis plastica (IPP) . This leads to increased accumulation of connective tissue on the shaft of the penis. The penis tissue hardens at certain points, which means that the erectile tissue is no longer straight but curved. This is called penile deviation. Depending on the severity of the curvature, the penis shortens and painful erections occur.
The underlying causes of IPP have not yet been conclusively clarified. Frequent micro -injuries to penile tissue, eg during sexual intercourse, are suspected of causing the formation of connective tissue plaques. A connection with high blood pressure, diabetes and the consumption of cigarettes and alcohol is also suspected. However, there is also a congenital curvature of the penis.
When does penile curvature become dangerous?
Basically, you should contact your trusted urologist if you have an exceptionally strong or progressive curvature of the penis when erect. Using diagnostic tools such as scanning and ultrasound , the doctor can then determine whether there is pathological scarring of the penile tissue and whether the curvature needs to be corrected therapeutically. In some guidelines and clinics, surgery is recommended for curves greater than 30 degrees . But even minor deformations can lead to symptoms that severely limit the quality of life. In addition to pain, sexual intercourse can be made more difficult due to the curvatureor even no longer possible. In many cases, progressive penile curvature is also accompanied by erectile dysfunction . In extreme cases, for example after a penis fracture , the curvature can even be up to 90 degrees. This is always an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Therapy: This is how a penis curvature is treated
In up to 15 percent of all cases, the curvature goes back on its own without treatment. However, if this is not the case, there are various conservative and surgical options to correct the curvature of the penis and relieve the symptoms. These include, among other things:
- anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs,
- shock wave therapy,
- Potency-enhancing drugs (if you have erection problems at the same time),
- Kaliumparaaminobenzoat (Potaba)
- manual stretching methods,
- stretchers,
- Surgery (as a last resort, after 12 months at the earliest).
