Let’s look at normal penile curvature and abnormal penile curvature and get to the bottom of what causes a curved penis.
Quick FAQs
For most men, yes, almost all penises have some sort of natural curve to them.
In most cases, a curved penis is just simple genetics, but certain conditions like Peyronie's disease can cause an unnatural penile curvature.
There are several options depending on the cause of your curved penis. There are non-surgical treatments such as traction devices and surgical treatments to remove plaque and scarring from previous injuries.
You will want to speak to your doctor if the curve in your penis causes you pain, interferes with sexual function, or causes you to experience erectile dysfunction issues.
Why is my penis curved?
To answer that questions let's quickly look at the anatomy of the penis. The penis is made up of three tubes:
Urethra - carries sperm and urine
Corpora cavernosa (2x)
The corpora cavernosa are spongy and soft. During an erection, blood flows in, filling these cavities causing the penis to become stiff.
Surrounding these tubes is a thick, fibrous sheath called the tunica albuginea (TA).
The TA's elasticity or lack of elasticity results in the size and shape of the penis- such is the case in a congenital curve or “chordee.”
The tunica is more elastic on the top surface, so as the penis fills with blood, the top will stretch more, making the penis curve downward.
On the other hand, with something like Peyronie's disease (PD), there is an inelastic scar within the TA that restricts expansion resulting in curves, indents, and shortening.
The shape of the internal structures can even cause slight curvature while flaccid.
While general penile curvature can be caused by the shape and size of the internal structures, having a penis with a significant bend may be a sign of something else.
Penile injuries, medical conditions like Peyronie disease, or congenital factors can all play a role in a curved penis.
Is Having a Curved Penis Normal?
You may have heard the expression, "If you've seen one, you've seen them all." Don't be so sure about that.
Obviously, every penis has the same basic parts, but they can be vastly different in size, shape, texture, and even penis curvature.
With so many men having at least some level of curvature to their penis, there truly is no "normal."
Men's sexual organs may:
Fall to one side or the other when flaccid
Have a slight bend upward or downward when erect
Stand in some way that is not perfectly straight
If you've always had a curved penis and you're not dealing with any type of penile pain or problems with sexual performance, you probably don't have much to worry about.
How much curve is too much?
A curve can be considered too much if:
The penis has more than a 30-degree bend in any direction
It interferes with sexual performance
You feel pain or have painful erections
Your partner experiences discomfort due to the curve
You may be dealing with something beyond normal penile curvature in these situations.
Talking to a health care professional may help you find a solution to the problem.
Possible Causes of Penile Curvature
A number of factors can affect the curve or bend in the penis. A lot of which are completely out of your control, like:
Genetics
Growing older
Autoimmune disorders
But, there may be some wise health decisions you can make to help avoid worsening an existing curve.
Let’s cover the main factors of what causes a curved penis.
Peyronie's Disease
In the event of severe penile curvature, Peyronie's disease may be to blame.
According to the Urology Care Foundation, Peyronie's disease is a connective tissue disorder characterized by plaques or scars that develop just under the skin.
These plaques change the shape and appearance of the penis, often causing the penis to curve or even look indented.
The symptoms of Peyronie's disease can include:
Abnormal bending or curvature of the penis, possibly greater than 60-degree bends
Lumps just under the skin on the penis, possibly painful
Pain with an erect penis
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Difficulty with sexual activity due to penile curvature
Shortening of the penis
According to a 2019 NIH study, Peyronie's disease affects somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 in 100 men have been diagnosed with Peyronie's disease. However, by some medical researchers estimates that number is believed to be closer to 1 in 10.
In addition, as much as 16 percent of men with erectile dysfunction may also have Peyronie's disease.
Congenital penile curvature
Outside of Peyronie's disease, congenital penile curvature is also a possible cause of a penis being more curved than what could be deemed typical.
Congenital curvature is penile curvature that is present from the time you are born. The condition is considered rare, affecting only around one percent or fewer of the male population.
Most men will recognize the abnormal curve in their penis around the time they hit puberty or some time during early adulthood.
If you do have a curved penis, certain sex positions may be helpful.
There's nothing saying you can't use your curved penis to your advantage, especially if the curvature does not affect your sexual function.
In fact, some men with curved penises need desensitizing spray to slow things down because the angle of their curve means more stimulation to more sensitive areas.
Here are a few good positions to try based on the direction of your curve.
Sex Positions for Downward Curve
Doggy style: Affords deeper reach, which can be important if your curve makes you a little less lengthy
Reverse cowgirl: She's on top, but facing away from you
Sex Positions for Upward Curve
Missionary: An upward curve works out well in this position for hitting her G-spot
Cowgirl: Likewise, she can take advantage of an upward curve while on top
Sex Position for Side Curve
T-position: The T position involves her on her back, legs spread, and you entering at a relatively perpendicular angle, depending on which direction your curve. When done effectively, the two of you make the letter "T."
How to Fix a Curved Penis
A curved penis doesn't always require treatment, even in the case of Peyronie's disease.
It’s possible it could just be a slow-healing injury.
However, if a curved penis is causing a lot of issues, a healthcare provider may recommend some level of treatment.
Here’s a quick overview of treatment options for extensive penile curvature.
Nonsurgical treatments
You have a couple of treatment options available for excessive penis curvature, neither of which are considered invasive or surgical.
1. Traction devices
Traction devices essentially stretch the penis in an effort to reduce penis curvature.
Some devices like the RestoreX or the Penimaster Pro penile traction device have been shown to be effective for lessening the degree of curvature, occasionally recovering lost length, and filling in indent deformities.
2. Penile injections
Penile injections are often used to treat Peyronie's disease. The solutions injected vary in form and function but are all used to target pain and curvature caused by Peyronie's plaque.
Some of the medications injected into the penis by a healthcare professional can include:
Verapamil: Designed to stop the production of scar tissue and, in some cases, even reverse it, as well as prevent progression of Peyronie’s disease during the acute phase. It also helps alleviate the pain associated with Peyronie's disease.
Collagenase (Xiaflex): FDA-approved as one of the few treatment options to target Peyronie's disease by breaking down scar tissue that causes the penis to curve
Interferon-alpha 2b: May slow down the formation of scar tissue
Surgical procedures
When the penis is curved to a higher degree, a healthcare professional may recommend surgical treatments for the most severe cases.
Surgical treatments are typically reserved for men with such a significant bend that sexual performance is at risk, urinary problems exist, or the issue affects their mental health.
1. Plication
Penis plication involves using stitches to shorten the long side of the penis to correct the curve (best when the curve is less than 60 degrees).
For example, if the penis is curving to the right, stitches may be inserted on the left side to force the penis to straighten.
2. Grafting
Grafting may be done to correct severe penile curvature.
In this surgical procedure, the surgeon may remove some of the Peyronie's plaque and then fill the area with grafted tissue to correct some of the penile curvature and correct narrowing.
3. Penile prosthesis
A penile implant can be either an inflatable device or a silicone rod that is inserted into the penis can be shaped and manipulated in a way to make the penis straighter.
If penile curvature is associated with erectile dysfunction and does not respond to traditional treatments like Viagra or Cialis, then your doctor may ultimately recommend surgery.
Important Takeaways
For the most part, a curved penis is perfectly normal and there are several non-surgical options available to you.
However, your doctor may recommend surgical options if the penis is curved to such an excessive degree that it interferes with sexual performance, causes painful erections.
Dr Laurence Levine is a Professor of Urology and practices at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is focused specifically on Male Sexual Health and is past President of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA). Dr. Levine graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine where he received his MD and completed his training in Urology at the Harvard Program in Boston.
Sources:
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
National Health Service Staff. (2021 July, 02). Is it normal to have a curved penis?. NHS.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/mens-health/is-it-normal-to-have-a-curved-penis/#:~:text=It's%20common%20for%20the%20penis,be%20symptoms%20of%20Peyronie's%20disease. Accessed March 31, 2022.
Pamela I Ellsworth, MD. (2017 December, 08). Penis Anatomy. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1949325-overview. Accessed March 31, 2022.
Cleveland Clinic Staff. (2020 August, 17). Peyronie's Disease. The Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10044-peyronies-disease. Accessed March 31, 2022.
Ajay Nehra, Ralph Alterowitz, Daniel J. Culkin, Martha M. Faraday, Lawrence S. Hakim, Joel J. Heidelbaugh, Mohit Khera, Kevin T. McVary, Martin M. Miner, Christian J. Nelson, Hossein Sadeghi-Nejad, Allen D. Seftel, Alan W. Shindel, and Arthur L. Burnett. (2015). Peyronie's Disease (2015). American Urological Association. https://www.auanet.org/guidelines/guidelines/peyronies-disease-guideline. Accessed March 31, 2022.
Urology Care Foundation Staff. (2020 September). What is Peyronie's Disease?. Urology Care Foundation. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/peyronies-disease. Accessed March 31, 2022.
T J Walsh, J M Hotaling, T F Lue & J F Smith. (2013 January, 24). How curved is too curved? The severity of penile deformity may predict sexual disability among men with Peyronie’s disease. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/ijir201248. Accessed MArch 31, 2022.
NIDDK Staff. (2019 August). Penile Curvature (Peyronie's Disease). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/penile-curvature-peyronies-disease. Accessed March 31, 2022.
Cleveland Clinic Staff. (n.d). Penile Curvature. The Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17345-penile-curvature. Accessed March 31, 2022.
John Schieszer. (2019 August, 15). Peyronie’s device improves length, curvature. Urology Times. https://www.urologytimes.com/view/peyronies-device-improves-length-curvature. Accessed March 31, 2022.
Laurence A Levine and Stephen M Larsen. (2013 January). Surgery for Peyronie's disease. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3739133/. Accessed March 31, 2022.
Billy H. Cordon, Daniar Osmonov, Georgios Hatzichristodoulou, and Allen F. Morey. (2017 August). Peyronie’s penile plication. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5583063/. Accessed March 31, 2022.
Health University of Utah Staff. (n.d). Grafting Surgery for Peyronie’s Disease. Health University of Utah. https://healthcare.utah.edu/menshealth/conditions/peyronies/grafting-surgery.php. Accessed March 31, 2022.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
