Penises come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and since variety is the spice of life, that’s a good thing. True, they all have a certain physical resemblance that marks something as recognizably a penis. But the variation can sometimes be significant – and in some cases a matter of a penis health concern. For example, when a man has a seriously bent penis – not one with some slight curvature, but true bending – this often means he suffers from Peyronie’s disease, a connective tissue disorder. In some such cases, medications known as beta blockers may play a role in the creation of this extremely bent penis.
About Peyronie’s disease
Again, it is important to emphasize that not every curved penis is a victim of Peyronie’s disease. Many penises have a natural curve to them, whether up, down, to the left, or to the right. This curvature is something many partners find attractive and appealing; it is only when the curvature becomes so significant as to cause pain and/or make penetration difficult that a bent penis becomes a problem.
Typically, Peyronie’s disease occurs when there is a buildup of plaque or scar tissue in one area of the penis. This most often is the result of trauma to the penis, such as occurs when a man is kneed forcefully in the penis or when a man endures repeated small traumas over a period of time. When the wounded area heals, it forms scar tissue, which is much less flexible than penis skin and tissue. If there is enough scar tissue, it will limit the ability of the penis to expand naturally, pulling back on the side that is affected and causing the bent penis.
In some cases, this can cause very painful erections. And when the penis is bent too much, it may create difficulty in the penis being able to penetrate the vagina or anus.
Beta blockers
So where do beta blockers come into the picture? Beta blockers are a class of medicine that is often used to treat people with hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can be a dangerous condition. Also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta blockers are intended to lower blood pressure, and the way they do this is by lowering the amount of epinephrine – that is, lowering the adrenaline in the body, which makes the heart therefore beat slower.
Beta blockers have for some time been associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. This is primarily because the medication can lower the production of testosterone, which has an impact on libido and erectile function. But more recently, it has been thought that beta blockers might play a role in contributing to Peyronie’s disease.
Why? Because beta blockers are known to, in some cases, create fibrotic tissue, which is similar to scar tissue. If fibrotic tissue develops on the penis, it can cause severe bending.
If a man believes that beta blockers may be causing his penis to bend, he should discuss possible alternatives with his doctor – but he should not simply cease taking his medication on his own. This could have significant blood pressure consequences. It is better to bring up the problem with the doctor and determine what might be a better course of treatment.
A bent penis from beta blockers or other sources reminds a man of the importance of maintaining his penis health, which is aided by daily use of an excellent penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Look for an oil that includes vitamin C, as this vitamin helps with the tone and elasticity of penis skin. In addition, the best oil will also contain L-carnitine, an amino acid that has been shown to protect against nerve damage caused by friction, compression, and other common injuries. Since scar tissue may decrease penis sensitivity, this nerve damage protection can come in handy.
