Penile Curvature in Peyronie’s Disease: What You Need to Know

by Alex Shteynshlyuger MD

If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4050.

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.  Information for out-of-state and international patients.  

We offer affordable prices with or without insurance.

Bent or “Crooked” Penis is One of the Most Common Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease

Penile Curvature in Men

Penile curvature is one of the most common manifestations of Peyronie’s disease. 

It is important to recognize that many men have mild life-long curvature called congenital penile curvature. The congenital penile curvature is not caused by Peyronie’s disease; typically men who have always had penile curvature ‘as long as they can remember’ have congenital penile curvature.

This article deals with penile curvature caused by Peyronie’s disease.  Penile curvature that did not exist previously is most commonly caused by Peyronie’s disease.

Some men have a mild curvature that bothers them visually but does not cause any difficulty with erections or sex. Other men have more pronounced and more severe bent, which makes it difficult to have intercourse. When the curvature is moderate, it makes it necessary to find a particular position that may work better. Penile bent can cause severe pain for the patient or his sexual partner during intercourse.

When the curvature is severe enough, it may be difficult or impossible to engage in intercourse.  At New York Urology Specialists, we perform an artificial erection with a penile doppler and obtain an accurate measurement of penile curvature.

Where to Get Peyronie’s Treatment in NYC?

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer treatment for men with Peyronie’s disease. 

Call/text today: 1-646-663-4050 or make an appointment online.  

We treat sexual and erection problems and Peyronie’s disease.  We offer comprehensive STD testing for infections.  We treat penile problems in men, including phimosis, balanitis, penile irritation, and penile redness. We perform a no-scalpel vasectomy, vasectomy reversal, cosmetic circumcision, circumcision revision, penile frenuloplasty. We offer confidential appointments.

Our appointment costs are affordable with or without insurance.  Low-cost Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) are available to our patients.  We offer free insurance verification.

What You Need to Know About Measuring Penile Curvature

Penile curvature is measured in degrees.   Penile curvature measurement is challenging.  It is important to understand the factors that affect the measurement of penile curvature.  

• Typically curvature of fewer than 20 degrees is considered to be mild and usually, no treatment is required. 
• The curvature of more than 30 degrees to 70 degrees is considered to be “moderate“
• The curvature of more than 60-70 degrees is considered to be severe.

Curvature can only be measured accurately if the penis is fully erect. Men with severe curvature can have only mildly noticeable curvature when the penis is semi-erect.  The severity of curvature is often under-appreciated and under-estimated due to co-existing erection problems.  If the erection is <80-90% hard, the curvature is often less noticeable. In fact, many men experience ‘improvement’ in curvature as time goes on, and as they develop erection problems. This is ‘pseudo’ improvement as often the severity of curvature is found to be significantly worse if a full erection is obtained.

Penile Curvature Shape is an Indicator of Anatomic Problem

Penile curvature is typically caused by aggregation of scar tissue called Peyronie’s plaque.  Typically the plaque is located in the area of curvature. Usually but not always, one can feel a hard ‘knot’ in the penis that corresponds to Peyronie’s plaque.   There may be more than one palpable plaque.

Peyronie ’s curvature may be pointing the penis up (dorsal curvature), to the side (lateral curvature), or down to the floor (ventral curvature).  The curvature may also be complex and ‘corkscrew’-like with both lateral component pointing to the side as well as an up or down component.

The location of the Peyronie’s plaque usually determines the location and the shape of curvature.  Men without a palpable Peyronie’s plaque may also be affected by penile curvature.

Dorsal Penile Plaque

Dorsal plaque (plaque or lump located on the upper part of the penis shaft) usually causes the penis to point up or to the side.  Sometimes the curvature may be multi-dimensional pointing both up and to the side.   Occasionally the curvature maybe even more complex ‘corkscrew-like” causing severe multi-dimensional curvature.  The dorsal curvature is the most common type occurring in 60-70% of patients, sometimes with a secondary lateral curvature.

Ventral Peyronie’s Plaque

Ventral plaque of the penis (plaque located on the underneath of the penis) usually causes the penis to point down, but it may also cause the penis to point to the side depending on the exact location of the plaque.  Ventral plaque is less common, occurring in about 10-20% of patients.

Ventral plaque is located in proximity to the urethra, the tube through which the urine passes.  Occasionally, it may cause the narrowing of the urethra.  For men with severe ventral curvature or urinary symptoms (slow urine stream, frequent urination, split urine stream) a cystoscopy may be necessary to evaluate the urethra for narrowing (stricture).

Distal Peyronie’s Plaque

Peyronie’s plaque that is located closer towards the tip of the penis (distally) causes curvature that is located closer towards the tip of the penis.  For the same degree of curvature, curvature that is closer to the tip of the penis tends to affect men more severely in terms of sexual function than a similar plaque that occurs closer to the base (or beginning of the penis).

Treatment Approach to Patients with Penile Curvature

At New York Urology Specialists, we perform an artificial penile erection with Trimix or alprostadil to get an accurate measurement of the penile curvature.  Penile ultrasound is used to evaluate penile vasculature and to look for Peyronie’s plaques (scar tissue). 

Many patients with moderate to severe curvature are advised penile traction therapy in combination with penile injections (verapamil, interferon, Xiaflex).  Patients with severe curvature, those who do not benefit from penile injections or interested in a quick resolution of their problems may consider surgical treatment with penile plication, plaque excision and grafting, or penile implant.

Did you know?  Dr. Shteynshlyuger has performed over 1,000 penile surgeries including penile implants, correction of Peyronie’s disease, circumcisions, circumcision revisions, frenuloplasty, and congenital penile curvature.  He performs 150-200 penile surgeries a year.

• New! Shockwave therapy for ED – treatment without pills

Read Real Stories of Men who Underwent Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease at New York Urology Specialists.

Read RealStories: Peyronie’s disease in a 46-year-old man with ventral curvature treated with penile plication

Read RealStories: Penile pain in a 51-year old adult male with curvature to the left and up treated with Xiaflex and penile traction.

Read RealStories: 58-year-old man with penile shortening and narrowing after prostate cancer treatment treated with a penile implant and grafting.

Read RealStories: 63-year-old man with Peyronies and ED treated with Xiaflex.

Read RealStories: 47-year-old man with penile shortening, narrowing and curvature treated with Xiaflex and plaque excision

Cost of Treatment and Insurance

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer affordable treatment for men. Our prices are low for patients without insurance and for those who have high insurance copays, high deductibles, or insurance plans that do not cover treatment costs. 

We accept many health insurance plans.  We would be happy to verify your eligibility and benefits and to provide you with detailed information on your health plan’s coverage.  Financing options and credit options are available to help you pay for medical care.

Why Choose New York Urology Specialists for Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease?

• All treatment is performed by a board-certified urologist experienced in treating men with symptoms of Peyronie’s disease, including penile curvature, narrowing of the penis, shortening of the penis, pain in the penis, and ED.  
• We are one of the few practices in the region to offer a full range of options for treatment of Peyronie’s disease, sexual and erection problems in men.
• We offer diagnostic testing in our office, which avoids hospital costs.
• Extensive experience: Thousands of men have been treated successfully using medical therapy (Xiaflex, Verapamil injections, Interferon), shockwave therapy for penile pain, penile plication, plaque excision and grafting, and penile implant surgery.
• Confidential and Understanding Care. We understand that most of our patients desire privacy.  We see patients with a variety of urological problems. Your reason for visiting us is entirely confidential.
• We offer diagnostic testing in our office, which avoids hospital costs.
• We are conveniently located within a 30-60 minute commute to men who are seeking ED treatment in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, Long Island, Bronx, and New Jersey.

What does Peyronie’s Penile Curvature Look Like?

You can find before and after treatment images in our image gallery.

Scheduling Appointments for Peyronie’s Treatment at New York Urology Specialists

If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4050.

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.  Information for out-of-state and international patients.  

We offer affordable prices with or without insurance.

Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a board-certified urologist and specialist in the treatment of sexual problems in men including Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction.  He is one of the few urologists who offers a full range of treatment options for Peyronie’s disease and ED.  He has successfully treated thousands of men with sexual problems.

When it comes to the treatment of Peyronie’s disease – New York Urology Specialists are a step ahead.  Better Science Means Better Care.   Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a specialist in treating erection and penis problems using the latest scientific and medical breakthroughs.

Find out our office hours or directions to our office. 

Peyronies Disease and ED Are Treatable in Nearly Every Man

At New York Urology Specialists, our urologists are specially trained in the evaluation and treatment of Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction.  We understand the challenges that Peyronie’s disease and ED create for our patients, their relationships, and their self-esteem.  We help you find a treatment for Peyronie’s disease that fits your needs, lifestyle, and your preferences.

Urologists are doctors specializing in the treatment of men with sexual problems including Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction. By virtue of our experience and skill, we are able to offer an effective treatment option for nearly every man who desires an effective treatment for ED.  We offer medical and surgical treatment for Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction.

We Treat Some of the Most Complex Peyronie’s Problems and Men’s Health Problems Including:

• Hourglass narrowing of the penis
• Shortening of the penis and loss of penile length
• Penis curvature with worsening erections
• Peyronies disease in men with diabetes and weak erections in men with diabetes.
• Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction in men with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy
• Erectile dysfunction in men with Peyronie’s disease
• Erectile dysfunction in men for whom medications do not work.
• Premature Ejaculation
• Frequent urination

If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4050.

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.  Information for out-of-state and international patients.  

We offer affordable prices with or without insurance. 

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