Some curvature of the penis is common, but when one has a severely bent penis, it can cause some significant issues for a man. There can be many causes of excessive curvature, and sometimes the medications a man is taking contribute to this condition. In order to ensure proper penis health, men need to know a little about Peyronie’s disease, as excessive curvature is often called.
What is Peyronie’s disease?
As stated above, many men have a small or modest degree of curvature to their penis when it is erect. This is not something to be concerned about. Many women find a degree of curvature quite aesthetically pleasing or exciting. As long as the curvature does not interfere with a man’s sexual pleasure, he usually need not be concerned.
In some cases, however, the bend is so extreme that sexual activity and enjoyment are negatively affected. When the source of this bending is a build-up of plaque or lumps in the penis, it is typically diagnosed as Peyronie’s disease.
Type of curve
Peyronie’s is not associated with a particular type of curve. It may bend up, down, to the left or to the right; the direction does not matter in terms of diagnosis. Sometimes, plaque builds up on both the top and bottom of the penis; in these cases, it may cause the penis to become somewhat shorter than it would otherwise be when erect.
Pain
In some instances there is little or no pain associated with Peyronie’s, but in other cases stiffening of the member may cause substantial pain. It is also not uncommon for a man with Peyronie’s to experience some pain or discomfort during sexual activities.
Conversely, some men report that the build-up of plaque actually causes a “deadening” or loss of some sensation in the penis. This often interferes with their sexual pleasure.
Causes
There are a number of things which can cause Peyronie’s. Trauma to the penis is a common cause, occurring when the member experiences rough handling or a sharp blow. There is also an association between Peyronie’s and gout, heart disease and diabetes.
Many doctors also believe that some medications and supplements can be contributing factors to this bent penis condition. Among the medications which are considered to be possible contributing factors are:
– Beta blockers. Many people with high blood pressure and/or heart disease are prescribed a class of medicines called beta blockers to help deal with these issues. Beta blockers are associated with fibrotic tissue disorders, which include Peyronie’s disease. If a man is using a beta blocker and suspects that there may be a connection with Peyronie’s in his case, he should discuss alternative medication options with his doctor.
– Anti-seizure drugs. Some drugs used to control seizures, such as phenytoin, are also on the Peyronie’s cause list. Again, discussing possible alternative with a doctor should be considered.
– Interferon. Interferon is often used in treating multiple sclerosis, as well as such conditions as leukemia and hepatitis C.
A severely bent penis, due to Peyronie’s or other causes, can be an issue for many men. If medications are adding to the problem, and others can safely be substituted, this will be a substantial help. However, a man may also want to use a quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to restore and maintain the organ’s health. (Even men without Peyronie’s can benefit substantially from a first-rate crème.) Those crèmes with acetyl L-carnitine are preferred; this is a neuroprotective ingredient which helps with peripheral nerve damage, such as that associated with Peyronie’s. Acetyl L-carnitine can assist in restoring lost sensitivity to the member. Another important ingredient in a crème is alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant. Alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-carnitine have a synergistic effect, and can offset harmful oxidative damage to penile cells.
