The Bent Penis and Connective Tissue Disorders
May 1, 2014A bent penis is often a source of anxiety to many men. Some curvature of the penis is perfectly normal; most men do not have a perfectly straight tool, and a slight bend or curve in one direction or another is no cause for concern. However, a severely curved penis may indicate that a man may be affected by or at risk of developing a connective tissue disorder that can affect other parts of the body, as well. This again demonstrates that focusing on penis health, which is important in itself, can also provide insights into health issues that may occur in other parts of the body.
The bent penis
Curvature occurs in the penis for a variety of reasons. In most cases, the curvature is not so severe that it causes any issues; however, in some cases it can cause pain and/or interfere with the successful performance of basic sexual activities. In such cases, a man is often diagnosed with a condition called "Peyronie's disease."
Peyronie's disease
Named after François Gigot de la Peyronie, an 18th-century French surgeon, Peyronie's disease is usually caused by the build-up of plaque on the penis. This build-up creates a hard lump in the layers of the penis' erectile tissue. As the plaque forms and grows, it hardens into a scar; the scar then has a negative effect on the natural elasticity of the penis.
If, for example, the scar tissue build-up occurs on the top side of the penis, it creates an imbalance, especially when blood flows in and creates an erection. The underside of the penis retains its natural elasticity and grows as usual. But the top side of the penis has a hampered elasticity and responds to the underside growth by bending upward.
This can not only cause difficulty in performing intercourse, but can be physically painful as well - often intensely so, making erections quite uncomfortable.
Connective tissue disorder
Peyronie's disease is considered a connective tissue disorder - that is, a condition in which tissue which performs a connecting function between structures of the body is impacted; connective tissue is made up of collagen and elastin, and includes cartilage, tendons, bones, etc. Some common connective tissue disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma. The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 30% of men with Peyronie's disease are or will be affected by other connective tissue disorders. Often, the disorder is localized in the hands and/or feet.
Treatment for connective tissue disorder can vary widely, depending on the form of disorder and what tissues are involved. Most often, the goal of the treatment is to reduce the inflammation that is keeping the collagen and elastin from functioning properly. A man with Peyronie's disease should check with his doctor to see if he is likely to develop any connective tissue disorders in other parts of his body; similarly, a man who finds he has a connective tissue disorder not localized in the penis may want to be on the lookout for signs that Peyronie's disease may be developing.
Treating Peyronie's disease
In very mild cases of Peyronie's disease, the inflammation may resolve by itself and the excess curvature then gradually goes away, as well. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to correct painful cases.
Many men find relief from the bent penis caused by Peyronie's disease through the application of a high quality penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). The key here is to use a cream that includes ingredients proven to have an impact on the causes of penile connective tissue disorder. It is essential that the cream includes acetyl L-carnitine, which is a neuroprotective ingredient that helps heal peripheral nerve damage and can impact the scar tissue build-up that causes curvature. Also essential: a cream rich in vitamin C, which is very important in the production of collagen; as healthy collagen is a major component of connective tissue, this can significantly influence treatment of Peyronie's disease.
Posted by John Dugan. Posted In : Men's Health
