A slight curve of the male organ may be met in a good many men, particularly if it is a characteristic that has been there since birth.

However, if the organ curves more with time, begins to hurt while erect, a hard lump can be felt, or the curve begins to interfere with having sexual intercourse, these symptoms may not be merely a natural difference, but may be connected with fibrosis or with Peyronie's Disease.

This article explains the way to distinguish a curve that is normal from a curve that may indicate a state for which a doctor should be seen, so that the reader is able to decide on the basis of information without feeling more anxious than is necessary.

What kind of curve of the organ may still be a normal matter

In general, a curve that is normal and does not require seeing a doctor is a curve that

Has been there from birth or has been there a long time
Does not increase with time
Has no symptom of pain, tightness, or pulling
Has no hard lump beneath the skin
Does not interfere with having sexual intercourse

The signals for which a doctor should be seen

A curve of the organ that should receive assessment by a doctor usually has one or another of the following characteristics

From having been straight or slightly curved, it begins to curve more
It curves clearly to one side or the other when erect
It has the character of a narrowing or hollow, or is deformed like an hourglass
There is pain, tightness, or pulling while erect
A hard lump or a plaque of fibrous tissue can be felt beneath the skin
The curve begins to interfere with having sexual intercourse
It begins to affect confidence or the quality of life

These signals may be connected with fibrosis that has newly arisen, particularly if the curve increases continuously or there is a symptom of pain along with it.

The causes of a curve of the organ that has newly arisen

One of the causes met often of a curve of the organ that has not been there since birth is abnormal fibrous tissue in the area of the Tunica Albuginea, which is the layer of membrane wrapping the spongy shaft that has an important role in holding blood while the organ is erect.

When fibrous tissue arises in one area or another, the tissue on that side loses its elasticity and can expand less than the other sides. While the organ is erect, the side without the fibrous tissue can still expand normally, but the side with the fibrous tissue is held back, and this therefore gives rise to a curve, a distortion, or a narrowing hollow.

This mechanism is the basis of Peyronie's Disease, which may be related to small-scale injury accumulated repeatedly, or to fibrous tissue following an injury in the past.

Why a doctor should be seen early

It helps distinguish between a curve that has been there since birth and a curve arising from fibrous tissue
It makes the stage of the condition known (the acute inflammatory stage vs the stable stage), which has a bearing on the approach to care
It reduces anxiety that is not necessary, and lets the patient decide on the basis of clear information
It helps detect accompanying states, such as venous leak, which may affect capacity in the long term

The assessment at PYONG MEN

At PYONG MEN, the assessment of a curve of the organ does not look only at the degree of the curve, but assesses it together with the history, the symptoms, the fibrous tissue, the structure of the tissue, and the system of blood circulation. The approach to assessment may consist of

Taking the clinical history: the doctor will assess when the curve first began to be noticed, whether it changed quickly or not, whether there is a symptom of pain along with it, and how it affects having sexual intercourse or the quality of life
Assessment of the angle and the direction of the curve: in some cases, the doctor may advise the patient to record an image in a private environment, in order to help assess the angle and the direction of the curve objectively, under the standards of medical privacy
Clinical examination by palpation: in order to assess whether there is a hard lump, a plaque of fibrous tissue, or a position of tightness and pulling related to the curve
Penile Color Doppler Ultrasonography: in order to identify the position, the depth, and the size of the fibrous tissue precisely, together with assessing the circulation of blood and any accompanying venous leak

After the assessment, how is care continued?

After the assessment, if fibrous tissue related to Peyronie's Disease is found, or the curve begins to affect erection, having sexual intercourse, or confidence, the doctor will plan care specific to the individual according to the stage of the condition, the character of the fibrous tissue, and the goals of the patient.

The approach to care may include non-surgical restoration, or in some cases where the curve is severe, a surgical option may be considered together with a specialist physician.

In brief

A slight curve of the organ that has been there since birth and does not affect its use may be a normal characteristic of the individual
A curve that increases with time, has pain along with it, or in which a lump can be felt should be examined by a doctor
The cause met often is fibrous tissue in the area of the Tunica Albuginea, which is related to Peyronie's Disease
Assessment early helps distinguish the cause, identify the stage of the condition, and plan care suitably
The assessment at PYONG MEN consists of taking the history, examination by palpation, and Penile Color Doppler Ultrasonography, in order to look at the fibrous tissue and the circulation of blood in detail

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Is the organ of most men straight and normal? A considerable number of men have a slight curve as a normal matter. The curve that should be assessed is a curve that arises later, that increases in severity, or that comes together with other symptoms.

2. At what level of curve should a doctor be seen? It is not set as a fixed degree, but the emphasis is on the change, on there being pain along with it, on a lump being felt, or on its interfering with having sexual intercourse.

3. Can an image be taken so that the doctor can assess the curve? In some cases, the doctor may advise recording an image in a private environment in order to assess the angle of the curve objectively, the care of the data being in accordance with the standards of medical privacy.

4. Can a curve of the organ from Peyronie's Disease be restored? There are approaches to non-surgical restoration in some cases. The outcome depends on the character of the fibrous tissue, the stage of the condition, and the length of time it has been there, so it should be assessed before care is planned.

5. If it is not treated, will the curve keep on increasing? In the inflammatory stage, the curve may change continuously, usually arising within the first 12–18 months. After that, some people may enter the stable stage. Examination and assessment help identify which stage it is in at present and how it should be cared for.