Men will commonly have a penis that curves to the right or left when erect. If this curve is very significant, this can be a sign that you have developed Peyronie's disease. Peyronie's disease is caused by fibrous scar tissue developing inside the penis. This can cause the penis to become curved. In this case, the bend will be very significant and can cause discomfort, especially when having sex. It can also make it difficult to get an erection properly, or may lead to anxiety or stress. If these side effects are present, medical intervention may be necessary.

Symptoms of Curved Penis

The curve in your penis can turn upward, to one side or downward. In some cases this may take on an ''hourglass'' appearance because a tight narrow band appears around the shaft.

There are other symptoms patients may experience when suffering from this disease. These symptoms can either develop gradually or appear suddenly over time.

• Erection Problems. Due to the pressure caused by the scar tissue, men with Peyronie's disease may have trouble maintaining or achieving an erection.
• Pain. You may notice pain when the penis is touched, during your erection or during orgasm.
• Scar Tissue. The scar tissue caused by Peyronie's disease can often be felt beneath the skin on the penis. This can feel like a band of hard tissue or flat lumps just beneath the skin.
• Shortening of the Penis. As the effects of Peyronie's disease take hold, it may cause your penis to become shorter.

Causes of Curved Penis

Since it is mainly caused by the Peyronie's disease, look at the detailed information of causes of this disease. The overall causes of Peyronie's disease are not widely known, but there are some causes that are thought to be linked to the development of the disease.

In many cases, Peyronie's disease appears after the blood vessels in the penis have ruptured. This damage can be caused due to strenuous athletic activity, sex or an accident. As this damage heals, cells can become trapped, causing scar tissue to develop around this site. When you get an erection, these blood vessels will become swollen, tearing the scar tissue and causing further damage. Over time this can cause the amount of scar tissue to grow, becoming increasingly painful and disruptive.

In the case that these symptoms appear gradually, it is likely that the Peyronie's disease has developed due to an auto-immune disease present in the body.

Risk Factors

A number of conditions can make it hard for the body to clear scar tissue, making it more likely that Peyronie's disease will appear.

• Heredity. If other male figures in your family such as your brother or father have Peyronie's disease, there is an increased risk that you will develop the disorder as well.
• Connective Tissue Disorders. Those that suffer from connective tissue disorders have an increased risk of developing conditions like Peyronie's disease.
• Becoming Older. The risk of developing this condition increases as men age and the body loses its ability to heal quickly and efficiently.

Diagnosis of Curved Penis

Your doctor will typically perform a physical examination to check for scar tissue in the penis. This will help them note the position and approximate amount of scare tissue that may be causing the disturbance. They may also ask you to provide photographs of the curve in your penis that appears when erect.

In some cases your doctor may perform an X-ray or ultrasound to check for other abnormalities that may be contributing to your condition. It may be necessary to inject a solution that will cause an erection to perform these tests. If so, you will be provided local anesthesia to limit your discomfort.

Treatments for Curved Penis

In many cases, your doctor will want to wait and monitor your condition before administering treatment. If you are able to have intercourse without discomfort or the pain associated with your erection is mild, then it may not be necessary to treat your condition. Similarly, your doctor may not want to administer treatment if your condition is not severe and does not appear to be getting worse.

1. Non-Surgical Treatments

Medications have been found to help ease the side effects of Peyronie's disease. These drugs can be injected directly into the effective area over the course of several months to help break down the scar tissue, lessening your discomfort.

Interferon and verapamil have been found to be particularly helpful in assisting with the treatment of this disease. The enzyme collagenase is currently being tested for its potential effectiveness in treating Peyronie's disease as well.

2. Surgical Treatments

Surgery has been found to be the most effective way to treat Peyronie's disease. Penile implants can be inserted to assist you in getting an erection. These can include a pump to help inflate the penis or contain spongy tissue that will fill with blood when the body naturally achieves erection. While these implants are typically used to treat erectile dysfunction, it has been found that they relieve the pressure caused by the scar tissue.

Doctors can also lengthen the effective side or shorten the unaffected side of the penis to help you achieve an erection that is straight. These procedures do run the risk of causing erectile dysfunction, which will need to be addressed before surgery.

3. Other Therapies

Tests are currently being run to determine if sound wave or radiation therapy are effective in breaking down the scar tissue caused by Peyronie's disease. Penile traction therapy is also being investigated as a possible treatment option.