how to fix a curved penis

Learn about penile curvature and Peyronie's disease

Is it okay to have a curved penis?

Every man's penis is different. They vary in size and shape. It might even be normal to have a slight curve in your penis. But if you notice a significant bend has formed when your penis is erect, it's time to ask a urologist if it could be Peyronie's disease.

Men who have a curved erection could have Peyronie's disease

A curved erection caused by Peyronie's disease may happen because of a problem in the way the body heals after an injury (a connective tissue disorder).

When this happens, the body doesn't properly control how much scar tissue develops and too much builds up gradually. A bump of scar tissue forms under the skin of the penis. This bump is called a Peyronie's plaque.

Peyronie's disease is caused by a buildup of scar tissue formed under the skin of the penis called a Peyronie's plaque that causes a curved erection

The Peyronie's plaque causes the penis to curve when erect

This isn't the kind of plaque that can develop in your arteries. If you feel around the inner part of the bend in your penis you may be able to feel this bump of scar tissue.

If the plaque forms on the top of the penis, it will make the erect penis curve up. If the plaque forms on one side of the penis, the erect penis will curve to that side.

Cross-section of Peyronie's plaque inside the penis

Peyronie's disease is unlikely to go away on its own, and may get worse over time.

If you've developed a curve in your erection, see a urologist to get diagnosed and ask how to treat it.

1 in 10 men may have Peyronie's disease in the US.*

It's more common as men age, especially between the ages of 40 and 70.

One man and 9 silhouettes portraying Peyronie's disease prevalence One man and 9 silhouettes showing how common Peyronie's disease is

Actor portrayal.

Take a look at various degrees of erectile curvature associated with Peyronie's Disease

Watch a video that explains the basics on Peyronie's disease

What causes Peyronie's disease?

While no one knows the exact cause of Peyronie's disease, these could likely be contributing factors:

How an injury may cause Peyronie's disease

Swipe to see how it happens.

Ruptured blood vessel

Step 1: Blood vessels rupture as the result of an injury to the penis causing bleeding, inflammation, and swelling

Immune system cells trapped in blood clot

Step 2: Clots can form since blood may not flow normally, and may cause immune cells to become trapped due to inflammation

Plaque forming from buildup of too much scar tissue

Step 3: Too much scar tissue forms a plaque as the injury heals because immune system cells release substances that don't allow the body to properly regulate how much scar tissue it makes

Erection that is curved where the plaque is located

Step 4: The erection curves where the plaque is located because the penis can't fully extend in that spot when erect

What are the symptoms of Peyronie's disease?

A curved erection with or without pain If you develop a curve in your erection that you didn't notice before, it may be a sign that you could have Peyronie's disease. Some men report they feel pain in their erection as the curve develops for the first 12 to 18 months.
A Peyronie's plaque This is a bump of scar tissue under the skin of the penis. It's most commonly found on the top side of the penis. Some men can feel it, while others don't notice it.
Bothered by your erection Many men with Peyronie's disease report being bothered by the way their curved erection looks and the challenges it presents to their ability to engage in sexual activity.

If you have any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to ask a urologist if you could have Peyronie's disease.

Find a urologist to get diagnosed

Peyronie's disease symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions

Erectile dysfunction Many men who actually have Peyronie's disease may think it's erectile dysfunction. It's important to know that Peyronie's disease is a separate medical condition that requires its own diagnosis and treatment.
Be sure to talk to a urologist about all of your symptoms so they can help you figure out if you have either of these conditions.

Cancer Because Peyronie's disease causes a lump to form under the skin of the penis, and lumps are often the first noticeable symptom of penile cancer, some men may think their Peyronie's plaque is caused by cancer.
The Peyronie's plaque is not cancerous. To be sure the bump in your penis is caused by Peyronie's disease and not cancer, you may want to have it checked out by a urologist.