Dear Doc | My penis is crooked!
Published:Monday | August 6, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Q Dear Doc, I am a middle aged man with a serious issue. My penis is crooked! And as if that wasn't bad enough, whenever I get an erection,it hurts! Why is this happening?
A It is quite common for the penis to curve slightly to either the left or the right when it is erect. However, if you have a significant bend in your penis, which is causing you to have pain or difficulty having sex, you may have what is called Peyronie's disease.
Peyronie's disease causes the penis to become curved when it's erect. The condition mostly affects men over 40, but it can happen at any age.
Common symptoms of Peyronie's disease include:
- A thickened area or hard lump on the shaft of the penis.
- A curve in the penis when it's erect (it usually curves upwards).
- Pain in the penis during an erection.
- The penis looking like an hourglass.
- Loss of length or thickness of the penis.
In severe cases, the curve in the penis can make having sex difficult, painful, or even impossible.
Peyronie's disease can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Options for the management of Peyronie's disease (PD) include observation, medical therapy, or surgery, depending upon the severity and psychological impact of the disease.
Many men do not need treatment, because they do not have pain and the condition is not affecting their sexual function. The condition also sometimes improves without treatment.
There are various non-surgical treatments available, including medicines and injections of steroids into the affected area.
Not interested in sex
Q-I have an issue that has been of concern for quite some time now. I am usually embarrassed to tell my doctor, so I figured it would be easy to write you. I simply do not like sex. I just am not interested in it and I don't want to do it, and when I do, it seems to always hurt. Is there anything be it medicine or counselling that can take to change this?
ASexual problems that women might have can include any or all of the following:
- Having pain during sex
- Not becoming aroused or "excited" during sex
- Not having an orgasm during sex
- Not wanting to have sex ("low desire")
Sometimes these can come and go, and might not cause any distress. However, if you are very worried about your problems, there are treatments that can help.
Some women may have problems with sex throughout their adult life, while in other women, problems develop later in life. The cause and management depends on which category you fall into.
Sexual problems can be caused by many things.
For instance, a woman might have sexual problems if she has unresolved issues with her partner or in her relationship.
Sexual problems can also be linked to medical events in a woman's life. Common examples are that sex can be painful for a woman in the weeks or months after child birth; and some women lose interest in sex and have pain during sex as they get older and after they go through menopause.
Some medical conditions can also lead to sex problems. These include:
- Dryness to the vagina.
- Pain in the lower belly, such as from an infection, post surgery, or endometriosis (this condition is also associated with painful periods).
- Changes in the muscles near and around the vagina.
- Mood problems, such as depression.
Sexual problems can also be a side effect of certain medicines. For example, medicines to treat depression or heart disease.
Treatment usually depends on the underlying problem.
So, If you are having relationship problems, you can try to improve your relationship with your partner by
- Talking to your partner about how to make sex better.
- Making an effort to have more fun together.
- Going to counselling.
Women with pain or dryness during sex often feel better if they use vaginal lubricants. These are sold over the counter without a prescription. An example os a lubricants that can be used during sex is K-Y Jelly.
If using a lubricant is not enough, a woman can also use a vaginal moisturiser. Vaginal moisturisers are used several times a week, but not necessarily during sex. Examples include Replens and K-Y SILK-E.
It is also important to stay as healthy as possible and get treated for any medical problems you have. Women who feel healthy and happy are more likely to be happy with their sex life.
If you don't know why you are having sexual problems, your doctor can help you figure it out. However, you need to find one who you are comfortable with in order to have the discussion.