Patient's question:
Doctor, hello. My penis was straight when I was a child, but starting from middle school when it began to develop, it gradually became slightly bent when not erect. (According to my mom, my father's penis is also slightly bent, and I wonder if there's a genetic factor involved). Sometimes, when I have sexual urges and am wearing underwear, it puts pressure on my penis. Over time, the penis may gradually bend. Doctor, does this happen? Now that I've grown up, I feel that my penis is more bent than before, and when erect, it's a bit like a hook, bending downward and to the right. What should I do?First follow-up question: Doctor, hello. I also want to ask if...
Doctor's answer:
Hello, penile curvature is medically known as "abnormal corpus cavernosum tunica albuginea," which means that certain parts of the tunica albuginea have more tissue, pulling the penis to the other side. For example, if the right corpus cavernosum tunica albuginea is thicker, the penis will bend to the left. Why does this happen? Some assume it is due to wearing tight pants during adolescence or prolonged abnormal bending of the penis; however, there is no actual evidence. Clinically, the corpus cavernosum tunica albuginea shows no scars or hard lumps, and it appears normal at rest. Only during an erection can varying degrees of curvature be observed. The angle and direction of curvature must be examined by injecting medication to induce an erection or by having the patient take photos of the erect penis from various angles at home to make the final decision about surgery.The surgical method for correcting penile curvature is actually not difficult. First, the foreskin is retracted, and medication is injected or a sufficient amount of saline is infused to observe the erect and curved penis. Then, the excess corpus cavernosum tunica albuginea is sutured. Non-absorbable sutures are used to tighten the area, gradually correcting the curvature. This process can be repeated several times to fully straighten the entire penis.
This surgical correction for penile curvature only requires local anesthesia and causes no harm to the corpus cavernosum. After the procedure, the patient may experience strong pulling and pain during the first few erections, but no functional damage to the penis will occur. The entire surgical process is similar to a routine circumcision. Some patients may experience mild hematomas or prolonged erections due to medication injections, but these will return to normal.