Congenital Penile Curvature 

Congenital penile curvature (chordee) is a condition found in males at birth. 
Congenital penile curvature is a severe curving of the penis and is most apparent during an erection. Although there are other penile curvatures that exist, such as Peyronie’s disease, stark differences separate congenital penile curvature from other conditions. For instance, while Peyronie’s disease is an acquired curvature and involves scarred tissue on the penis, congenital penile curvature is a condition that males are born with and that does not involve scarred tissue. The severity of congenital penile curvature can be determined when the penis is erect. 

Causes of Congenital Penile Curvature 

Although the exact causes of congenital penile curvature are unknown, this condition is believed to occur due to uneven growth between opposing sides of the erection chamber. 

Symptoms Associated With Congenital Penile Curvature 

Common symptoms experienced by patients with congenital penile curvature can be physical or psychological. 

Physical symptoms include: 

• Penile torsion, where the penis appears to be naturally rotated almost perpendicularly 
• Skin tethering
• Difficulty getting and maintaining an erection
• Painful erections
• Pain or difficulty while engaging in sexual intercourse 

Psychological symptoms include: 

• Diminished self-esteem 
• Feelings of shame during sex 

Diagnosing Congenital Penile Curvature 

Curvature in the penis to the right or left can be normal to some degree. Congenital penile curvature can be detected when the penis is in an erect state and most often causes it to curve downward, laterally or a combination of both. The condition is often detected in young males by parents when diapering or dressing them. Other times, a male can discover the curvature himself after puberty. 

Congenital penile curvature cannot be diagnosed based on the appearance of a penis that is not erect. Moreover, a male with a slight curve of the penis to the right or left is not diagnosed with congenital penile curvature. 

Treatment for Congenital Penile Curvature 

Congenital penile curvature can often be left untreated if a man is not bothered by its appearance or it does not impede on his ability to have sexual intercourse. In more serious instances where a man’s sexual ability or enjoyment of sexual intercourse is hindered, the urologists at Tampa General Hospital can perform a surgical procedure to correct the curvature.