Have you ever wondered why your dick hangs at the angle it does? Maybe it dangles to the right because it’s so used to being, ah, tugged in that direction by your right hand? Or maybe it droops to the left because that’s the pant leg it’s trapped in for most of the day?
In both cases, you’d be wrong.
According to male reproductive health specialist Dr. Muhammad Mirza, nothing you do on a day-to-day basis can actually affect which way your penis leans. Here’s the thing: At a distance, the human body appears to be symmetrical; up close, however, it’s usually not quite perfect. Be it uneven patches of facial hair or one leg that’s slightly longer than the other, you’re full of little imperfections — yes, even your dick.
Many mammals — including most other primates — have a penile bone, which aids in reproduction and gives the erect penis its structure. For humans, though, the penis is made solely of spongy tissue, which hardens when blood rushes into it. This tissue is anchored to the pubic bones via a two-sided root, and this is where the asymmetry arises. In most men, one side of the root usually just happens to be slightly longer on the right or left, with the result that the penis hangs down farther on that side — and well, gravity does the rest.
More extreme cases can be explained by a condition called Peyronie’s disease. This is a rare form of erectile dysfunction where the bend in the penis is so pronounced it makes erections painful. This is usually caused by some kind of trauma to the penis, however.
When it comes to your natural curve, as with the size and shape and everything else about your penis, it’s just what you were born with. So if you have complaints, address them to your parents.
Brian VanHooker
Brian VanHooker is a staff writer at MEL specializing in pop culture, food (especially pizza) and long form oral histories. He is the co-creator of the comic book "Barnum & Elwood" and "The Tramp," a comedy pilot starring John O'Hurley. He also hosts a TMNT interview podcast called "Turtle Tracks" and was once called a "Good Guy" by Mr. T.
