Chordee: What You Should Know
Chordee is a disorder of the penis that results in a malformed curvature and makes it difficult or uncomfortable to sexually approach or pee. This can result from birth defects, especially in boys, but also trauma or scarring in adults. Everyone who has, or is susceptible to, chordee should be familiar with its causes, symptoms and treatment.
Understanding Chordee
Chordee typically occurs as a downward or upward arching of the penis, sometimes varying in degree. In some instances, it can occur at birth due to a condition called hypospadias in which the urethra is not located on the tip of the penis but rather on the bottom. In other cases, chordee can arise later in life as a result of conditions like Peyronie’s disease, which causes the penis to curl up with fibrous scar tissue.
Types of Chordee
1. Congenital Chordee
Congenital chordee develops at birth and is often accompanied by hypospadias – a condition in which the urethra opens only from the base of the penis rather than the tip. Congenital chordee curvature is usually caused by an inconsistency in the length of penile tissue. Sometimes, this condition can cause even greater issues, especially if surgery is required to correct the curvature and the location of the urethra.
2. Acquired Chordee
Colonised chordee occurs late in life, and can be accompanied by conditions such as Peyronie’s disease, a syndrome in which a fibrous scar tissue forms around the penis. The scarring can produce a malformed curve, which results in discomfort and sexual dysfunction. Other causes of acquired chordee include penile trauma, which may modify the structure of the tissues of the penile to produce the same curves.
Symptoms
Chordee symptoms depend on the degree of curvature and its effects on sexual function. Common signs may include:
Curvature of the Penis: The most noticeable symptom is curvature and this might increase during an erection. This bend is either up or down, depending on its severity.
Pain or Sickness: Some chordee patients may experience discomfort during an erection or sexual encounter, and this can severely impact quality of life and sexual satisfaction.
Trouble urinating: In severe cases, especially when chordee is related to hypospadias, urination can become difficult. This can cause additional pain and urination.
Social Anxiety: Chordee is not only physiological but can be psychologically devastating. People can develop anxiety, depression or a negative sense of self, especially if the condition interferes with sexual partners or makes them feel ashamed.
Causes of Chordee
The chief predictor of chordee is structural distortion via hypospadias. In the womb, abnormal growth of the urethra and surrounding tissues can lead to hypospadias and chordee. Other potential factors may include:
1. Genetic Predisposition
Recently, a couple of articles suggest chordee and hypospadias could be genetically identical. Research has also revealed that these conditions run in families – meaning that, in some instances, there could be variants in the genes that increase a person’s risk. This genetic susceptibility will help us identify those at risk and perhaps point the way forward in understanding how these diseases function.
2. Environmental Factors
Other than genetic, environmental factors are equally important in chordee development. In pregnant women, some of these teratogenic factors – such as certain medications, chemicals or even hormonal disruptions – can negatively impact foetal development. Such exposures can interfere with the normal mechanism of urethral and penile development, creating disorders such as chordee and hypospadias.
3. Scar Tissue Formation
Curiously, chordee can occur in people who’ve previously had surgery or had injury to the penis. From scar tissue, these interventions may enclose the penis in tight bandages that force the penis to bend. This kind of chordee is often acquired rather than birth-related, and it highlights the need for appropriate surgical and post-operative care to avoid such problems.
Diagnosis
Chordee usually arises as a result of a physical exam, particularly in infants or children. Urologists and paediatricians can inspect for curves and evaluate the genitalia in general. Hypospadias, if present, can often be mistaken for chordee.
In some cases, imaging scans or advanced urodynamic evaluations might be suggested to determine the function of the urinary tract and to determine the extent of the problem.
Treatment Options
The cure for chordee is different from person to person, depending on severity of the disorder and whether it is inherited or born:
1. Surgical Intervention for Congenital Cases
In congenital chordee, surgery is frequently required when curvature compromises function or self-esteem. The procedure usually involves relocating the penis and fixing the urethra to its original position. It can come in a multitude of forms, depending on the anatomy and severity of the disease:
Perimetrical Techniques: If one side of the penis is narrower, an augmentation can lengthen it to appear symmetrical.
Urethral Repositioning: If the curve pushes the urethra out of position, surgeons may have to move it so as to not cause urinary complications.
These treatments are often carried out in infancy or early childhood to ensure healthy development and to deal with functional or psychological disturbances.
2. Medications for Acquired Chordee
The acquired chordee can also result from disorders such as Peyronie’s disease, where plaque thickens and curves the penis. When it comes to men who suffer from this kind of chordee, various medical interventions can manage symptoms and even reduce curvature:
Meds: Some drugs work to reduce the curvature and reduce the pain, but it depends on how well it works.
Injectable Treatments: These injections directly into the plaque reduce inflammation and sometimes soften the plaque allowing for straighter erections.
Topical Treatments: Creams and gels can be prescribed to penetrate the skin and treat symptoms.
These medications are a part of a broader plan to address the mental and physical components of acquired chordee.
3. Therapy Options
Non-operative chordee treatment includes penile traction therapy in some instances. They do this using a traction machine that gently flattens the penis and straightens the angle. Penile traction is especially useful for those who are either unwilling to undergo surgery or who are prematurely chorded.
4. Observation: A Conservative Approach
Even conservative observance is sufficient for mild chordee that doesn’t sting or interfere with sex. The approach is to keep track of the state over time without responding to it in real time. A routine doctor visit can ensure any changes in symptoms or curvature are treated quickly.
Long-term Implications
If properly treated, the vast majority of people with chordee can lead normal lives with few or no major problems. The sooner one intervenes – often in childhood – the better. But chordee left undiagnosed can create years of chronic suffering, difficulties with sexual relationships, and chronic emotional disorders.
Conclusion: Chordee: What You Should Know
Chordee is a condition that can dramatically impact someone’s quality of life. Whether hereditary or acquired, there are various treatments to cure the curve and symptoms. If you or someone you know exhibits chordee, a medical professional can diagnose chordee and treat you. Attention to detail can allow you to assert control over your sexual health and wellbeing.
