Peyronie’s Disease: Everything You Need to Know about a Bent Penis
Let’s get one thing straight, before we start talking about bumps, lumps and bends in the penis: Not all members are made the same, and many of them have a curve or bend that is perfectly natural. But a penis that develops a bend or curve that wasn’t there before, or lumps under the skin; or a member that is painful during sex, could be affected by Peyronie’s Disease (or PD for short).
Let’s break down this mysterious condition, starting with the symptoms and causes. We’ll follow up with some of the treatments currently available, as well as some preventive measures.
What is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s Disease is a condition that occurs when plaques, or scar tissue, build up in the tissue of the penis. This condition can lead to curvatures in the erection, as well as painful erections, and men who are affected may also have difficulties with penetrative sex. Some studies, such as this one from Yale Medicine, report that one in 11 men, or 9%, may be affected by PD.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease
Many men are unaware of the existence of Peyronie’s Disease, and they may not realize that anything is wrong until they encounter difficulties during sex. Some of the main signs to watch out for in identifying PD include the following:
- Curvature in the erection, especially if it is a new development;
- Lumps or bumps in the shaft of the penis, which are caused by the plaques under the skin;
- Pain during erections and/or intercourse;
- Changes in shape, such as narrowing of the shaft or an hourglass appearance;
- Changes in length or girth.
Causes of Peyronie’s Disease
While PD is still being researched, it has been linked to trauma, such as sudden and abrupt bending of the shaft or blunt force injury. Scar tissue forms as the body heals from the injury. While this new tissue is meant to be protective, it is less flexible than the surrounding erectile tissue.
This means that when an erection occurs, the damaged tissues cannot expand along with the uninjured parts of the penis. This leads to bending or curving during an erection; think of drawing a bowstring against the more rigid limbs of a bow. This results in pain and often makes it difficult to engage in and enjoy intimate partner sex.
Is Peyronie’s Disease Treatable?
Fortunately, there are treatment options for this painful condition, although their effectiveness may vary. Treatments may include:
- Oral medications prescribed by a doctor;
- Traction therapy, in which the penis is gently stretched by a traction device over time to give it more flexibility;
- Injections that soften the plaques and improve the flexibility of the erectile tissue;
- Surgery to either remove the plaques or straighten the curve.
Can PD be prevented?
As with many other health conditions, preventing PD from happening in the first place is the optimal solution. While some cases may develop without any obvious injury, there are steps you can take to prevent trauma from occurring and protect against the occurrence of scar tissue.
For starters, always use lube during masturbation or sex, and avoid the “death grip,” as well as violent thrusting and acrobatics.
Keep the whole body healthy by eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Prioritize foods that are known to help prevent or reduce inflammation.
Wear protective gear during physical activities such as ball sports that have a higher risk of blunt force injury.
And finally, make use of a specially formulated penis health crème, which is designed to provide vital nutrients to the penile skin, improving its ability to heal from injuries, as well as the wear and tear of daily life.
Want to know more? Check out our video: Is Your Penis Bent Out of Shape?