There are a number of concerns or problems that the penis can encounter. The information below lists the most common difficulties and how to deal with these. (You will find more information on the penis in the young people section of the website).
Penile Cancer
Cancer of the penis is a very rare condition, and even rarer in circumcised men. It is uncertain as to what causes it, however there is possible link to poor hygiene in uncircumcised men.
Warning signs may include a growth or ulcer on the head of the penis, the foreskin or the shaft, which does not go away even after treatments for possible Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). It is very important to report these to your doctor as the sooner action is taken, the less damage will result to the penis and the greater is the chance of long term survival.
Inflammation
Inflammation (reddening) of various parts of the penis can occur for differing reasons. They include; Balantisis/Posthitis; Inflammation of the head of the penis (balantitis) and of the foreskin (posthitis) can occur if the head is not kept clean and ÒsmegmaÓ is allowed to gather under the foreskin. There can also be a discharge of pus. In severe cases, circumcision may be required. Improving hygiene should prevent any inflammation, and treatment is usually antibiotics. Inflammation can also be caused by STIs.
Urethritis/Meatitis; Inflammation of the urethra(urethritis), the tube out of which passes urine and semen, is usually caused by an STI and will require treatment. The symptoms include a discharge of pus and pain which is made worse with urinating. Inflammation of the tip of the urethra (meatitis) can occur if contact is made with a spermicide or another irritating substance, or it may have been irritated simply by sexual activity. This should go away by itself, but if it does not then it may indicate an STI.
To avoid any unwanted irritation remember to keep your penis clean and always use a condom when having sex, as this will protect you from most sexually transmitted infections.
Injury to the penis can happen as the result of any accident, during sexual activity or be self-inflicted. Such injuries include:
Cuts & tears
Physical damage to the penis can happen from injuries such as when the skin is caught up in a zip. Smaller injuries normally heal by themselves but larger cuts will need medical attention. If you decide to experiment by doing something sexually adventurous always take precautions to protect sensitive body areas such as the penis. In some cases where the penis has been amputated entirely, it is still possible for it to be reattached, if the severed piece is placed quickly in salty, ice water to preserve it.
Penile fracture
This is extremely rare but can occur if an erect penis is bent too far. A crack may be heard if it happens. There will be pain and possibly bleeding from the urethra. This can happen during very energetic sex. A cold compress can be applied until medical help is obtained. Surgery may be required to repair the damage. If an erect penis is pulled too far down at the base it can also break (flail penis). When experimenting with different positions during sexual activity, take precautions to avoid any damage to the penis if you or partner(s) should slip suddenly.
Strangulation
This can occur when something is used to restrict the outflow of blood from an erection in order to keep it hard for longer than usual. A Òcock ringÓ, leather straps, or string could be used by being fastened or tied around the penis or both the penis and scrotum together. Anything which is worn in this fashion must be easy to remove or strangulation may develop and permanent damage may be done to the penis. If you cannot remove a device which is causing strangulation get medical help immediately in order to prevent any long term damage.
Urethral damage
Some sexual practices, including body piercing, may involve the insertion of objects into the urethra. If this is done, you should be aware that you run the risk of starting an infection in what is normally a sterile area of your body, and puncturing the urethra itself. There is also a danger that objects may become stuck or may travel along the urethra into other body areas, causing quite serious problems.
Peyronie's Disease
Peyronie's disease is indicated by a curvature, or bend, of the penis and is associated with pain within the shaft. It is a relatively common condition which increases in incidence with age, the most affected being men aged 50 to 60 years.
The bend in the penis is noticeable when the penis is erect. This should not be confused with the slight bend which occurs naturally in many men's penises, present from puberty, and the normal angle of erection, which increases with age from upright towards the horizontal.
The cause of Peyronie's disease is not known. It results in the growth of an area of what is known as ÒplaqueÓ at the site of the bend, with the pain felt being caused by inflammation. This growth can be felt as a hard lump. The bend may develop over a period of from 1 to 3 months and may become so extreme as to prevent penetrative sex or cause pain to your partner during sex.
Treatment for Peyronie's disease may not be necessary in cases where it does not create any great difficulties. There is no definitive cure for Peyronie's disease, but when treatment is required, it is largely directed towards a reduction in pain and the slowing or halting of the disease's progress. Surgery may eventually be considered where necessary in more severe cases, but this tends to be used only when the disease has run its course.
Phimosis
Phimosis is the condition where it is not possible, or is very difficult, for the foreskin to be pulled back over the head of the penis because it is too tight. It can be a naturally occurring situation or it may develop from repeated infections. Phimosis can cause some degree of pain in any penetrative sex. Skin stretching exercises may solve the problem where the foreskin is not too tight, otherwise circumcision should be considered.
Paraphimosis
Paraphimosis occurs when a tight foreskin is pulled back over the head of the penis and cannot be returned forward. The restriction around the head of the penis which is caused by this can be painful as collected blood cannot leave the head. Usually, squeezing the blood from the head for a few minutes will reduce swelling enough to allow the foreskin to be pulled forwards again. If not, then medical assistance will be required. In the longer term, circumcision may have to be considered to prevent recurrences.
Priapism
Normally, following ejaculation (coming), the penis loses its stiffness and returns to a flaccid (soft) state. When an erection lasts for a prolonged period of time - 3 to 4 hours - this condition is known as priapism and can become very painful. It results from the inability of the additional blood needed for producing an erection to leave the penis when it is no longer needed.
Priapism can occur if treatment for erectile dysfunction has been too successful (see the section on sexual problems for more information), or less likely, but still possible, it may be a side effect of other medication. More rarely, it can be related to other physical conditions such as sickle cell disease.
In the early stages, the erection may respond to quite simple treatments such as exercising - a brisk walk may be enough to resolve the problem. Otherwise a cold compress such as a wet towel or an ice bag (even a bag of frozen produce from the fridge) held against the erection may work.
If these simple measures don't work then medical attention should be sought to prevent permanent damage and further injury or loss of ability to get erections in the future. Emergency action is recommended if the erection lasts beyond 3 to 4 hours. If this were to happen to you then you should go to your nearest Accident & Emergency Department if no other medical assistance is immediately available. Remember to take into account the amount of time it will take you to reach such help. Medical treatment for priapism is fairly simple and largely consists of draining some blood from the penis.
