Penis & Testicle Concerns / Question
Published: February 25, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hi! I am a 17 year- old with a bent penis. Ever since I could have erections my penis has been bent. It starts normal then a couple inches up it bends to the left about 15 degrees. I do not think I have Peyronie's Disease but it looks to be a genetic deformity. I can straighten it up if I apply a little pressure to the lower left side of my penis and turn my foreskin a little left, but cannot naturally keep it straight. I have tried using vitamin e oil without success. I believe that my urethra could be the part that bends since when I straighten it up I cannot properly urinate or ejaculate while having an erection. Can you give me some advice on treatment, statistics and any other information related?
Signed: Peyronie's Disease
Dear Peyronie's Disease,
Peyronie's Disease is actually the curving of a man's penis. The cause is unknown but it is thought that a bent penis is the result of some sort of trauma or injury done to the penis. You may not recall any one incident, but it could have happened during athletic activity, and even rough sexual activity. This injury leads to scarring on the elastic tissue just below the surface of the skin. This elastic tissue is what normally stretches out symmetrically during an erection, holding the penis straight out. If a deposit of scar tissue replaces a portion of the elastic the penis can no longer be held straight out, instead curving to one side.
A third of the men with Peyronie's Disease have pain with their erections, and a limited number experience an inability to have children. However, in the majority of all cases the men experience no difficulties at all and go on leading normal and productive sex lives. This problem is very common some physicians see up to 5 patients a week with this condition ranging from teenagers to the elderly.
There are a few different treatment options depending on the severity of the curving and also its affect on your normal ability to have an erection, sex and urinate. The first is to try treatment with Vit E, as you have already done. It may take time, but Vit E is a natural healer and even if it doesn't work it helps other portions of your body as well. As long as the bend does not cause impotence or pain there is really no treatment, only just living with it. If it is causing pain or is severely curved there are surgical options to be considered. You should talk to your doctor about this problem especially since you are experiencing difficulty having a proper erection and also urination. He will be able to determine what the problem is and also the right treatment for you. Try and remember not to be embarrassed. He or she has seen many of these cases and will help you as long as you are honest about the problem! If you don't have your own doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 073.971.6475.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The teenage pregnancy rate in the 
