Working on a Bent Penis: Treatments for Peyronie's Disease

A bent penis can be a source of genuine concern for a man. Yes, a little curvature in the penis is common, but when the curvature is severe, it can create both physical and emotional problems. Most men with a severely bent penis are considered to have Peyronie's disease, named after the doctor who first described it medically. Since sexual and penis health can be impacted by Peyronie's, it helps to be aware of what treatments are out there for this condition.

In 2016, the World Journal of Men's Health published "Nonsurgical Interventions for Peyronie's Disease: Update as of 2016," an overview of the existing treatments for a bent penis. Following is a distillation of the information contained in that article.

Background

First, a little about Peyronie's disease. The Mayo Clinic describes this disorder as "the development of fibrous scar tissue inside the penis that causes curved, painful erections." This scar tissue usually develops due to injury to the penis. For example, a man might be struck in the penis by a baseball, might slam his erection into a hard surface or might simply experience repeated rough (if pleasurable) handling during sex. Such activities create trauma in the penis; as it heals (even from small traumas like rough handling), scar tissue forms. If that tissue forms repeatedly in one area, it prevents the skin from stretching properly, causing the penis to bend during an erection.

Treatments

Among the treatment options are:

1. Oral options. A wide range of pills are sometimes used in treating Peyronie's, including vitamin E, tamoxifen, L-carnitine and tadalafil. Such options are typically employed first, as they are the easiest treatment available. Typically, these therapies show results in cases where the scar tissue is less intense. Some of these options are also available for topical application directly on the penis skin.

2. Injections. More persistent cases may respond to the injection of medication directly in the area where the scar tissue build-up is pronounced. As of this writing, only one drug is approved for this method in the U.S. Many men resist this treatment as, understandably, the idea of injecting a needle into the penis does not appeal to them.

3. Traction. Traction therapy essentially works to pull the penis back into shape. A man wears (for several hours each day), a device that attaches to the penis and exerts force to pull it in the opposite direction of the curve. Traction devices tend to work best in conjunction with other therapies rather than on their own.

4. Shock wave therapy. A more recent addition, shock wave therapy uses high amplitude pulses of energy directed at the penis. Typically used on joint and tendon issues, the therapy seems to help with the pain that some experience from Peyronie's but has not yet been shown to make much difference in the curvature.

5. Surgery. There are several surgical approaches to correct the curvature of Peyronie's. Because some cases correct themselves over time, surgery is usually recommended only when the bent penis has been an issue for a year or longer and/or when the physical or emotional distress it causes is significant.

Whatever approach a man may take to treat a bent penis due to Peyronie's disease, he is better positioned if his penis is in good health - and that is more easily obtained when he regularly utilizes a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Some of the best crème contains both vitamin E and L-carnitine, which are sometimes used to help treat Peyronie's. The best crème will also include vitamin D, the "miracle vitamin" that has proven benefits in fighting diseases and supporting healthy cellular function.