Peyronie’s Disease

This image is an example of a mid-shaft bend of the penis. While the base of the penis is straight, about midway down the shaft the penis dramatically curves to the left. This first-person photograph is an example of when treatment should be sought out.

This image is an example of a mid-shaft bend of the penis. While the base of the penis is straight, about midway down the shaft the penis dramatically curves to the left. This first-person photograph is an example of when treatment should be sought out.

There are a variety of different bends and curvature that can be signs of the disease. In this case, the curvature is towards the patient’s side, along with a slight upward U-shape bend. There is no set way the penis has to curve or bend to be symptomatic of the disease, as the focal scarring differs in each individual case. This photo is taken facing the patient, illustrating the importance of offering several different image angles to accurately represent the curvature of the penis.

This image demonstrates the importance of offering several different angles of the curvature, as mentioned in the previous slide. In this side view, the curvature is only partially demonstrated, making it difficult to also see that the patient has an upward bend of the penis. When seeking treatment, it is essential to provide Dr. Gelman at the Center for Reconstructive Urology with a variety of different angles to fully understand the extent of the curvature.

This image is an example of a disabling penile curvature, in which the patient’s symptoms are so dramatic that sexual intercourse would be very difficult or impossible. While some men have mild penile curvature, the curvature to the left side illustrated above is an example of disabling curvature. Patients can develop a very abnormal penis with up to and occasionally more than 90 degrees of penile curvature.

When men develop severe disabling curvature from Peyronie’s Disease, as seen in this picture, surgery can straighten penis curvature allowing the man to resume sexual intercourse.

Peyronie’s Disease is associated with a plaque within the penis that leads to penile curvature. In some cases, this plaque is to some extent along the circumference of the penis leading to an indentation of the penis and in some cases an “hourglass deformity” of the penis. In this picture, the indentation can be seen.

Although men who develop a bent penis from Peyronie’s Disease can have curvature in any direction, it is common for the curvature to be upward as the penile plaque is often along the top part of the penis. In this case there is a penile plaque towards the tip of the penis along the dorsal (top) aspect. This patient underwent a successful surgery to correct his curvature at the Center for Reconstructive Urology.

Although upward penile curvature is common along with some curve to the side, some men also can develop a downward penile bend as shown in this picture of a one of our Peyronie’s Disease patients. This man underwent a successful surgery to straighten his severely curved penis, and his now able to have intercourse once again.

This man reports that he had penile curvature, mostly to the side, for his entire life. This is called Congenital Penile Curvature. In this picture, the extent of the penile bend is not appreciated because he does not have an erect penis. Given that curvature is best seen during an erection, it is for this reason that we ask our patients to bring pictures of their erect penis to their initial appointment at the Center for Reconstructive Urology.

This man has lifelong Congenital Penile Curvature as seen during an erection. Although Peyronie’s Disease is an acquired disorder associated with penile plaque formation, Congenital Penile Curvature is caused by unequal development of the penis prior to birth. This patient underwent a successful correction of his disabling curvature with penile plication at the Center for Reconstructive Urology.