Because a lot of guys are too embarrassed to ask their doctors certain questions about their sexual health, they turn to Google. It's not always easy to figure out if the information is good or bad. I can help answer your questions and sort out fact from fiction on everything from penile curvature to low testosterone.

1. Why is my penis newly curved?

Peyronie's disease is a curvature of the penis, typically during erection. Usually plaque or scar tissue is the source of the curvature. Peyronie's disease affects 2 to 8% of adult men – of all ages.

2. How does a penis become curved?

Anyone with trauma or injury to the penis is at risk for Peyronie's disease. Men who have their prostate removed surgically for prostate cancer are also at higher risk. But sometimes it happens without any obvious reason. Peyronie's disease isn't genetic.

Penile curvature usually develops slowly. You may first notice curvature or pain during an erection.

3. Does a curved penis affect sex?

For some men, not at all. It just looks different and doesn't feel different. For others, it can be painful for them or their partner. It's important to know that penile curvature is not dangerous to your health in any way. It only looks different. Unless curvature causes you or your partner pain and discomfort during intercourse, or if it causes undue psychological distress, there is no need for treatment.

4. What kind of treatments are available to straighten the penis?

Before any treatment, we discuss options. It's important to make sure the curvature is stabilized and not getting worse.

There is no FDA-approved oral treatment for penile curvature, and no off-label oral therapies have shown success. There is one FDA-approved, doctor-administered injectable therapy that shows reasonable improvement. 

Surgery is also an option to straighten out the penis, with some side effects possible. About 10% of men will have worse erection function because of surgery.

5. Can stress or diet cause penis curvature?

No, neither of these things can cause Peyronie's disease. But sometimes the penile curvature itself can be a source of stress. 

6. What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

A lowered sex drive or lower libido, as well as decrease in erectile function might mean low testosterone. Other complaints are lower energy overall, sometimes decreased concentration or trouble focusing. Physically, guys will say that they're having difficulty keeping muscle mass on or losing muscle mass. Sometimes men will gain weight or have a hard time keeping weight off despite regular exercise. 

7. How can I increase my testosterone?

If you aren't at an ideal body weight, getting in shape will lead to modest increases in your testosterone levels. That includes regular cardiac exercise and a healthy diet. No specific diet (like the Adkins or Mediterranean diets) is needed. As long as it gets you to an ideal weight, any healthy diet is good.

Limiting alcohol will also increase your testosterone. Alcohol converts testosterone to estrogen, lowering your testosterone levels. Alcohol also tends to put on extra weight, which affects your ideal body weight. 

8. Does depression affect testosterone levels?

Not necessarily, although depression and low testosterone can definitely coexist. 

9. Does a vasectomy affect testosterone levels?

No, a vasectomy leaves testosterone unchanged. All a vasectomy does is snip out part of the vas deferens. The blood vessels and everything else still stay there. The testosterone made in the testicles stays steady and keeps getting delivered into the bloodstream. 

10. Do low testosterone levels cause erectile dysfunction?

It depends. Erectile dysfunction – the inability to get or maintain an erection – is based on a number of factors. Your testosterone and other hormones, along with blood flow to the area (nerves and blood vessels) affect the ability to get an erection. But psychology has a big impact as well. If you have a weird day at work or a big fight with your partner, those psychological factors can affect your erectile function. 

11. What else can cause erectile dysfunction?

Diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) and other conditions, even being overweight, can cause ED. 

Medications such as antidepressants and hypertension medications can cause ED. In the case of hypertension, both the condition and the treatment can cause ED.

Any surgery or severe injury in the abdominal area that damages the nerves may result in ED.

Men of any age experience ED, although older men are more likely. ED affects 5% of men in their 50s; between 15 and 20% of men in their 60s; and about half of men 75 and older.

Erectile dysfunction can predate other related conditions by a few years. If you have ED with no obvious causes, see your doctor or a urologist. You may benefit from early diagnosis of a serious condition or rule it out altogether.

12. How can I get rid of ED?

There are many treatment options for ED. If ED is caused by your medication, simply changing or reducing your medication, if possible, may help. If your ED is due to surgery, I usually advise waiting at least 6 months before providing any therapy to see how much function you regain.

Other options include: oral medication, injectable medication, and surgery. Depending on your condition, I usually start with oral medications that improve blood flow (you've seen the commercials on TV). You may receive injectable medication that increases blood flow by dilating the blood vessels.

Surgery to implant devices for treatment of ED is almost always the last option, and is only indicated if all other available therapies do not work. There are several types of implant devices, and I have several examples in my office that you can look at during your first appointment. And be sure to bring your partner!

Guys, remember, you can always ask your doctor. Whatever your question, you can bet he or she has heard it all.

Dr. Deibert is the only fellowship-trained urologist in andrology and men's health in Nebraska. If you've got questions, Dr. Deibert has answers. Call 800.922.0000 to schedule an appointment at the Men's Health Program.