My over-enthusiastic lovemaking left me with a very embarrassing curve and shrinkage downstairs (and lots of middle-aged men might be in the same position, too afraid to speak up)

My over-enthusiastic lovemaking left me with a very embarrassing curve and shrinkage downstairs (and lots of middle-aged men might be in the same position, too afraid to speak up) By Julie Cook For The Daily Mail Published: 12:07, 12 July 2024 | Updated: 12:21, 12 July 2024 e-mail View comments Richard was in the middle of a passionate love-making session when he suddenly experienced a sharp pain where it was least welcome. In the midst of what he describes as 'vigorous' sex, his penis had accidentally hit his partner's pelvis, causing him instant searing pain. 'I knew at once that I'd done something wrong,' he recalls.

'It felt like it had buckled. I just didn't realise it would impact the next 20 years of my life.' As a result of his injury, Richard (who does not want to give his full name), a retired businessman from central London , went on to develop Peyronie's disease.

This causes the penis to curve, as well as shrink in length and circumference. Peyronie's disease causes the penis to curve, as well as shrink in length and circumference Often painful, it leads to problems getting or maintaining an erection, which can have a devastating impact on men's sex lives and self-esteem. Not surprisingly, research shows that many with Peyronie's also suffer from depression.

The triggers for Peyronie's include sexual trauma, vascular disease, diabetes and a genetic predisposition to abnormal wound healing, according to David Ralph, a professor of urology at University College Lond.