A curvature of the erect penis can be congenital, but can also occur later in life. We call this Peyronie's disease. Due to calcification, for example, in the front of the penis, it curves towards the abdomen during an erection. The disease typically progresses in 2 phases: in the first phase, the curvature increases and pain is present. During the 2nd phase, the curvature stabilizes and the pain disappears. During the 1st phase, a drug treatment may be instituted, but surgery will never be performed. For example, despite the drug treatment the curvature is too pronounced and makes sexual relations impossible, the curvature can be treated surgically in a second phase. The method of treatment will depend on the severity of the curvature and the size of the calcification.