PENILE PAIN
Penile pain can affect males of any age and can affect the base, shaft, head, or foreskin of the penis. The pain may be accompanied by an itchy, burning, or throbbing sensation.
Penile pain can be caused by an injury or a sickness. The intensity of the pain varies based on the underlying ailment or disease. The pain from an injury might be great and come on abruptly. If you have a sickness or condition, you may experience modest pain that gradually worsens.
WHY DOES MY PENIS HURT? CAUSES OF PENILE PAIN
PEYRONIE’S DISEASE
Peyronie’s disease starts when an inflammation causes a thin sheet of scar tissue, called plaque, to form along the upper or lower ridges of the shaft of the penis. Because the scar tissue forms next to the tissue that becomes hard during an erection, you may notice that your penis bends when it’s erect.
PRIAPISM
Priapism causes a painful, prolonged erection. This erection can happen even when you don’t want to have sex. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition is most common in men in their 30s.
If priapism occurs, you should get treatment immediately to prevent long-term effects of the disease that may affect your ability to have an erection.
Priapism may result from:
- Side effects of drugs used to treat erection problems or drugs used to treat depression
- Blood clotting disorders
- Mental health disorders
- Blood disorders, such as leukemia or sickle cell anemia
- Alcohol use
- Illegal drug use
- Injury to the penis or spinal cord
BALANITIS
Balanitis is an infection of the foreskin and the head of the penis. It usually affects men and boys who don’t wash under the foreskin regularly or who haven’t been circumcised. Men and boys who have been circumcised can also get it.
Other causes of balanitis can include:
- A yeast infection
- A sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- An allergy to soap, perfumes, or other products
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS)
An STI can cause penile pain. STIs that cause penile pain include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Genital herpes
- Syphilis
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTIS)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in women, but they can also happen in men. A UTI occurs when bacteria invade and infect your urinary tract. An infection might happen if you:
- Are uncircumcised
- Have a weakened immune system
- Have a problem or blockage in your urinary tract
- Have sex with someone who has an infection
- Have an enlarged prostate
INJURIES
Like any other part of your body, an injury can damage your penis. Injuries can happen if you:
- Are in a car accident
- Get burned
- Have rough sex
- Put a ring around your penis to prolong an erection
- Insert objects into your urethra
PHIMOSIS AND PARAPHIMOSIS
Phimosis occurs in uncircumcised men when the foreskin of the penis is too tight and can’t be pulled away from the head of the penis. It usually happens in children, but it can also occur in older males if balanitis or an injury causes scarring in the foreskin.
A related condition called paraphimosis happens if your foreskin pulls back from the head of the penis, but then can’t return to its original position covering the penis. Paraphimosis is a medical emergency because it can stop you from urinating and may cause the tissue in your penis to die.
CANCER
Penile cancer is another cause of penile pain, although it’s uncommon. Certain factors increase your chances of getting cancer, including:
- Smoking
- Not being circumcised
- Having a human papillomavirus infection (HPV)
- Not cleaning under your foreskin if you’re uncircumcised
- Being treated for psoriasis