Let's Shorten the Learning Curve About Chordee

Chordee is a condition also known as congenital penile curvature, a term that describes the symptoms and nature of the condition quite accurately. It is distinguishable by a curvature in the penis during an erection. Yes, many men and boys have a slight or more significant curve in their penis, but chordee occurs during fetal development and can create issues later in life if it is not addressed during infancy.

The condition is present at birth, though it may not be detected immediately by parents or doctors due to a lack of observable symptoms. It is sometimes associated with hypospadias, in which the opening of the urethra develops on the underside of the penis rather than the tip.

Hypospadias can make chordee easier to diagnose, but because chordee is frequently only visible during an erection, the individual with the condition may not be aware of it until after puberty. The exact cause of chordee in fetal development is unknown, but there are multiple theories about circumstances during fetal and penile development that may contribute to penis curvature at birth.

How does chordee affect adults?

Treatment may not be required for an individual with chordee, though if the condition causes pain, discomfort or difficulty having sex, physicians may determine otherwise.

Chordee is most successfully corrected in children before the age of 2, and if erectile curvature is determined to be potentially harmful or severe, pediatricians will likely recommend surgery for the child, especially when hypospadias is present. In other cases, doctors may determine during infancy that chordee is unlikely to cause significant problems later in life, and no surgery is required.

For adult men with chordee and hypospadias, a healthy and happy sex life is possible. Some partners may even enjoy the penile curvature during penetrative sex or other sexual acts, and there's certainly nothing to be embarrassed about when this congenital condition carries into adulthood.

The curvature can be quite sharp, however, so there is the possibility of pain, which could lead to difficulty enjoying satisfactory sexual relationships. The curvature frequently occurs in a downward direction but can also curve upward or laterally. For fairly clear reasons of anatomical coordination and pleasure fulfillment, this deviation from common penile development may motivate some adult men to seek treatment via surgery.

Can chordee be treated?

Chordee is most frequently treated when a doctor finds the bend in the penis to be 30 degrees or more in the year or two following childbirth. Hypospadias, if present, will generally be corrected at the same time.

In older boys or adults living with chordee, surgical treatment can be more complicated than during the one or two years following birth. Various techniques may be utilized to alter the penile tissue and give the penis a straighter appearance, with the approach varying based on the severity and direction of the penile curvature. Adult hypospadias correction is possible, as well, though multiple surgeries may be required to adequately correct either the curvature or the placement of the urethral opening.

Most chordee operations are outpatient procedures that allow the patient to leave medical care the same day as surgery without heavy or intensive follow-up outside of standard protocols for any invasive or reconstructive operation.

Chordee surgeries do not necessarily come with the risk of unique side effects. Potential post-surgical complications tend to include scarring, infection, allergic reactions to anesthetics and the need for additional surgeries, especially when chordee is treated in adults.

How is chordee different from Peyronie's?

The biggest difference between chordee and Peyronie's disease, another condition marked by significant bending in the shaft of the penis, is that Peyronie's is not a congenital condition. Peyronie's is caused by scar tissue, or plaque, building up inside the penis and creating curvature in an erect penis. It generally results from physical damage or trauma to the penis, which can occur during physical activities such as athletics, an accidental hit or even a physically intense sexual encounter. There may be a genetic component to Peyronie's, and the condition is primarily visible during an erection, but it is not a congenital condition associated with fetal development as is the case for chordee.

No body's normal

Penises come in all shapes, sizes, orientations and angles. Barring any unpleasant pain or other symptoms, there is no reason to be concerned if you think your penis is different from the next person's. Chordee can be a manageable condition or it can be remedied through surgery, so if you are an adult with a slight or significant bend in your penis, you should know that you have options.

Be sure to consult your doctor if you think there might be an issue with your penis that demands medical attention. Nobody should live with pain or sexual dissatisfaction if treatment is available to address the issue.

Similarly, if you face judgment or unwarranted criticism from others regarding the size, shape or any other aspect of your anatomy, consider telling those people to get bent.