Why is the penis curved? Many teenagers or young men wonder or worry whether their penis has a standard shape and appearance because some men’s penises, when erect, tilt either left or right. Some penises curve inward toward the body, some curve downward, and some curve upward.
This leads to the misconception that their penis is abnormal or not standard, thus different from others. A curved or tilted penis is a normal occurrence and may depend on how the penis is positioned when wearing underwear. However, an abnormally curved penis may be congenital or develop later and can occur at any part of the shaft.
An abnormal curvature is noticeable when the penis is erect and not visible when flaccid. Are you curious about how much curvature is considered normal? This article has the answer.
What causes a curved penis?
The problem of bending or a curved penis can occur from birth or later during puberty. Whether the curve is up-down or left-right, it does not affect functionality in any way.
It is a condition caused by abnormalities in the connective tissue of the penis, where plaque forms under the skin in that area, causing curvature during erection.
However, if the curvature is severe and accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, feeling lumps inside, and affecting sexual intercourse, it is considered a problem that requires urgent medical treatment.
Advantages of a curved penis
The benefit of a tilted or curved penis when erect is that it does not cause pain during intercourse. This natural mechanism allows for deeper penetration without directly hitting the cervix, which protrudes into the middle of the vaginal canal.
Disadvantages of a curved penis
If you can have sex normally without pain or psychological issues, no treatment is needed. But if some experience pain during sex or the curvature is so severe that penetration is difficult, it must be corrected. Usually, surgery is the method used. The fibrous tissue causing the hardness is removed, and something is used to reinforce the area, typically one of two options.
These are either the patient’s own tissue or specially designed synthetic materials, but the surgery must be performed by a urologist.
To explain further about the treatment for a curved penis, surgery is performed while the patient is asleep and the penis is flaccid.
This makes it difficult to identify the area to correct, so saline is injected to make it erect and the base of the penis is tied off. Then the fibrous tissue is removed, which causes a defect that must be reinforced.
There are two options for reinforcement: the patient’s own tissue or specially designed synthetic materials. The best option is the patient’s own tissue, usually the wall of the veins in the groin or thigh, which is harvested, flattened, and sewn in place. The limitation is that the patient will have a scar where the tissue was taken.
How is an abnormal curved penis defined?
There are two types of abnormal penile curvature:
- The first type is congenital, called chordee. This requires surgical correction to straighten it. Surgery is usually done before the child starts school because the child cannot urinate standing like peers, urinates inaccurately, or wets their pants due to the curvature. If untreated, it may cause problems with sexual intercourse later. Congenital curvature may also be associated with abnormal urethral opening.
- The second type develops later, called Peyronie’s disease. The cause is unknown but is believed to result from minor trauma to the area. When the penis is injured, the body repairs itself, but calcium deposits may form, causing fibrous plaques that pull and cause curvature. This curvature can occur in any direction—left, right, downward, or upward (usually upward toward the ceiling)—and at any part of the penis from base to tip. The problem with this type of curvature is that it causes pain and makes sexual intercourse impossible.
Summary: How much curvature is considered normal?
Erection facilitates sexual intercourse, so it is normal and natural for the penis to point almost straight up, almost horizontal, or even straight down when erect.
This depends on the tension of the suspensory ligament holding the penis in its natural position. The penis may curve upward, downward, left, or right at various angles. This is not abnormal or alarming as long as the erection is maintained well and sexual intercourse is possible.
However, if the curvature is severe, it may prevent sexual intercourse. In such cases, surgery can correct the problem. You can contact the nearest branch click here to see branches or inquire further via the clinic’s Line OA.
