It’s completely normal to have some curvature in the penis. Depending on which direction your penis is curved, you may actually have an advantage when it comes to pleasuring a woman in certain positions.
There’s one incidence where a curved penis may be a problem. A condition called Peyronie’s disease — which is caused by non-cancerous growth and scar tissue forcing the penis to curve to one side or another. The curve itself isn’t a problem, but the condition can lead to pain while erect.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about a curved penis and offer some tips on sex positions that can turn your curvature into an advantage, rather than a disadvantage.
Is it Normal to Have a Curved Penis?
Most men have some curvature in their penis, usually up or down, but sometimes to the right or left.
People with a severely bent penis (more than 10 degrees of curve) is usually caused by a condition called Peyronie’s disease (more on this later). It’s estimated that roughly 10% of men experience penile curvature due to Peyronie’s disease.
Are Curved Penises Better For Sex?
The curvature of the penis can be an advantage during heterosexual intercourse.
The G-spot in women requires direct stimulation in order to reach orgasm. A curvature can help reach this spot more easily than a straight penis (in certain cases). The G-spot is located on the clitoris, which runs from the top of the vagina and along the anterior (top) wall of the vagina.
The sexual position matters a lot when having sex with a curved penis, a slight curvature can be helpful for reaching the top wall of the vagina where the G-spot is located, but in the wrong position can make it even harder to stimulate this region.
The ideal sex position depends on many factors, so it’s important to take this information with a grain of salt and take time to explore what works best for you and your partner.
With that said, here are the ideal sexual positions based on the curvature of your penis.
1. Curved Upward
This shape has a bit of an advantage for reaching the G-spot in women while in the missionary position, or cowgirl. The upward curve is more likely to rub against the top wall of the vagina in these positions.
2. Curved Downward
This shape gives an advantage for any rear-entry positions, such as reverse cowgirl or doggy style. Allow the woman to adjust the angle as needed while in this position — the best angle will vary by the curvature of the penis, and the shape of the woman’s vagina.
3. Curved Left or Right (C-Shaped)
This shape offers fewer advantages for causing orgasm and you may need to try a few different positions to find what works best for you. The level of curvature in this direction can affect the optimal position. The “T-position” is usually the best for this curvature. Your partner should lie down, and you enter from a perpendicular angle with the curvature of your penis facing upward in relation to your partner.
What is Peyronie’s Disease?
Peyronie’s disease is a non-cancerous growth that forms in the penis. Scar tissue forms beneath the skin of the penis within an elastic membrane called the tunica albuginea. This membrane is used to help keep the penis rigid while erect.
As the scar tissue builds up, it can cause tension on one side of the penis while erect, causing it to bend.
The scar tissue may worsen over time, making the bend more pronounced. In some cases (rare), the curvature may be so prominent it can cause pain while erect, and may interfere with the ability to engage in sexual intercourse.
Peyronie’s disease is rare to find in men in their 20s and 30s but becomes more common with age.
Signs & Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease
The main symptoms of Peyronie’s disease is a gradually worsening curvature of the penis, but there are other signs to watch out for as well.
The signs and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease includes:
- Hard lumps on one or both sides of the penis
- Pain during intercourse
- Painful erections
- A curve in the penis
- Narrowing or shortening of the penis
- Erectile dysfunction
What Causes Peyronie’s Disease?
The scar tissue ‘plaque’ that forms during Peyronie’s disease is usually caused from an injury to the penis, or from autoimmune disease.
The actual cause of the condition is not well understood, but it’s common for men with Peyronie’s syndrome to have underlying health conditions affecting the connective tissue or various autoimmune disorders.
Other causes are related to injuries to the penis. This can involve single injuries that cause swelling or bruising, or repetitive, micro-injuries. Micro-injuries can happen through rough sexual activities or sports that put pressure on the groin region — such as cycling.
The risk factors for Peyronie’s disease include:
- Engaging in rough sexual activities
- Non-sexual trauma to the penis (such as sports)
- Certain connective tissue disorders (Dupuytren’s disease, plantar fasciitis, scleroderma)
- Autoimmune disorders (lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, Behçet’s disease)
- Old age
- Family history of Peyronie’s disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Erectile dysfunction
- History of being treated for prostate cancer (surgery)
The Stages of Peyronie’s Disease
This condition usually involves two stages — an acute stage, and a chronic stage.
The acute stage is the initial onset of the condition. This is the period where the scar tissue begins to form. You may feel pain in your penis either while erect, or not erect, and you might notice your penis beginning to take on a curved shape. The acute stage can last anywhere from 3 to 18 months.
The chronic stage happens after the scar tissue has been fully formed. This stage usually begins about 12 to 18 months after the onset of the initial symptoms. The plaque will begin to stabilize and the pain you feel while erect may start to diminish. The condition usually doesn’t worsen during the chronic stage — however, some men experience erectile dysfunction during the chronic stage.
How is Peyronie’s Disease Diagnosed?
A doctor will usually refer you to a specialist to diagnose Peyronie’s disease — such as a urologist. They will examine your penis, check for plaque formation, and ask questions around family history when the symptoms appeared, and more.
Medical imaging is rarely necessary to diagnose Peyronie’s syndrome.
Some doctors will wait to diagnose the condition and ask you to take pictures of your penis over the course of several months to see if the condition is worsening over time.
Is There a Cure For a Curved Penis?
A penis with a curve less than 30 degrees is rarely treated — there’s simply no need. The only time a doctor will recommend treatment if the condition involves the following symptoms:
- Pain during intercourse
- Painful erections
- Problems with urination
- Problems engaging in sexual intercourse
- Curvature over 30 degrees
- Large plaque formation
Some people with mild symptoms will seek treatment anyway for cosmetic reasons.
The treatment for penile curvature is invasive and usually requires reconstructive surgery — however, there are a few non-surgical treatment options available to some men.
Nonsurgical Treatments for Curved Penis (From Peyronie’s Disease)
Non-surgical treatments may include injections, shockwave therapy, or mechanical traction. There are no prescription medications available for treating a curved penis, but non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Aspirin or Ibuprofen may be used to manage pain.
A) Injections
Injections can only be done during the acute phase of Peyronie’s disease when the plaque is still forming. The injections are made directly into the penis and can be done directly in the doctor’s office.
The only FDA-approved injection drug for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease is Collagenase (Xiaflex). This medication consists of an enzyme that breaks down collagen scar formation. The drug will no longer work once the plaque has stabilized during the chronic stage.
Other injections may be used to manage pain symptoms — such as Verapamil or Interferon-alpha-2b.
B) Shockwave Therapy
This is a newer treatment option still undergoing trials to determine its true efficacy. The idea is that hyper-focused, low-intensity electro-shock waves are directed at the plaque to reduce pain and potentially reduce the size of the plaque.
C) Mechanical Traction
Physical traction of vacuum devices can be used to stretch or bend the penis to offset the curve caused by Peyronie’s disease or other causes of a curved penis. These devices don’t always work, and there’s a lot of debate surrounding their efficacy.
Surgical Treatments for Curved Penis (All Causes)
With severely curved penises, or people looking for a cosmetic solution to straighten their penis — surgery is usually necessary.
In the cases of Peyronie’s disease, the scar tissue can be surgically removed only after it’s stabilized (chronic stage).
For cosmetic surgeries, a plastic surgeon will use various techniques to alter the shape of the penis to match your individual goals.
Surgery should not be taken lightly. It doesn’t always work, and there’s a possibility it can lead to complications.
Surgical Methods for Treating a Curved Penis
- Plication — a section of the tunica albuginea on the other side of the plaque is removed to counteract the curvature.
- Grafting — the plaque is removed and replaced with tissue from another area of the body, such as skin from an arm or leg
- Implantation — some devices can be implanted to help men achieve erection and straighten the penis while erect
The Bottom Line: Curved Penis
It’s completely normal to have a curved penis. In fact, most men have a mild downward, upward, or sideways curve. Most men have congenital curvature, which means it’s something you were born with.
In some cases, the curvature can form later in life, usually in men above the age of 40 due to a condition called Peyronie’s disease. A plaque made up of fibrous scar tissue forms in the penis and interferes with its shape while erect. In most cases the curvature and side effects like painful erections from this condition are minimal. In severe cases, treatment may be necessary.
If you have a curved penis, it can help to learn how to turn it into an advantage instead of a cause of concern or stress. The curvature can actually help your partner reach climax more easily while having intercourse in a position that leverages the shape of your penis.
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