Bent penis

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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

When you become sexually aroused, blood flows into sponge-like spaces inside your penis, expanding and stiffening it. A bent penis generally occurs when these spaces don't expand evenly. Most often, this is due to normal differences in penis anatomy, but sometimes scar tissue or another problem causes a bent penis and painful erections.

Possible underlying causes of a bent penis include:

  • Autoimmune disorder
  • Certain medications, particularly beta blockers
  • Inherited fibrous tissue (collagen) abnormality
  • Injury to the penis
  • Normal differences in penis anatomy
  • Peyronie's disease (a curved erection caused by one of a number of underlying conditions)

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

References
  1. Ferri FF. Peyronie's disease. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011. Philadelphia, Pa. Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1142647106&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00025-1--sc0135&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00025-1--sc0135&uniqId=238832862-3. Accessed April 7, 2011.
  2. Peyronie's disease. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/peyronie/index.htm. Accessed April 6, 2011.
MY00759 July 15, 2011

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