Congenital Penile Curvature

Patients with this condition describe curvature of the penis during erection that has been present for as long as they can remember. It is usually first recognized around puberty or early adulthood. It differs from Peyroni’s disease in that there is no scar tissue within the penis, and the condition usually does not change over time. Congenital curvature is a pretty rare condition. Less than an estimated 1% of men experience penile curvature.

Medical and sexual history which is typically enough to establish a diagnosis of congenital penile curvature. Pyhsical examination and/or autophotography may also be helpful for the diagnosis.

Patients with this condition describe curvature of the penis during erection. It is usually first recognized around puberty or early adulthood. It differs from Peyronie’s disease in that there is no scar tissue within the penis, and the condition usually does not change over time. In mild forms it does not require any treatment. However, when the degree of curvature interferes significantly with the ability to have sexual intercourse, surgical correction is used to restore normal function and form to the penis.

Correction of congenital erectile curvature is accomplished by surgically exposing the penis, in order to shorten the side of the penis opposite the curvature to match the other side. This results in a straightened erection. This procedure has a high rate of success and can be performed in an outpatient setting.