Common Penile Disorders - Causes, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment

Introduction

The health of the penis plays a significant role in your overall health. The penis is much more than erection and ejaculation. Penile disorders can affect your other areas of life, such as relationship status, and can cause stress and poor self-esteem. Not all penile conditions require treatment. This article will provide some detailed information about common penile disorders, their causes, and their symptoms.

What Are Penile Disorders?

The penis is the external organ of the male reproductive system. It is a cylindrical pendant-shaped organ that is located anterior to the scrotum. The primary function of the penis is to carry the sperms to the vagina. It also acts as a conduit for urine to leave the body. Penis has three parts:

• Root - This part of the penis attaches to the wall of the abdomen.

• Body or shaft.

• Glans Penis - This is the head of the penis. The tissue that covers the glans is the foreskin called the prepuce. In uncircumcised men, the glans are covered by a moist pink tissue known as the mucosa.

The penis is covered with two columns of tissue running along the sides of the penis called the corpus cavernosum. For an erection to happen, blood is filled in these columns of tissue. And there is a column of sponge-like tissue running along the front of the penis and ending at the glans of the penis called corpus spongiosum.

Urethra - This is located at the tip of the glans penis. The urethra connects the urinary bladder to the penis. Once the urinary bladder is full, the urine flows through the urethra and leaves the body at the urethral meatus, which is located at the tip of the penis.

Penile Disorders:

When there is a problem with the penis, it can affect the sexual life and overall well-being. Some of the common penile disorders include:

• Erectile dysfunction.

• Balanitis.

• Peyronie’s disease.

• Phimosis.

• Paraphimosis.

Among all the penile disorders, these are the most commonly seen penile illnesses:

1) Erectile Dysfunction:

The erection typically occurs when there is increased blood flow to the penis. This blood flow is usually stimulated by sexual thoughts or when there is direct contact with the penis. Generally, when the person is sexually excited, the penile muscles relax, allowing an increased blood flow to fill the chambers present inside the penis. And when the chambers are filled with blood, the penis becomes rigid. Similarly, when the penile muscles contract, the accumulated blood from the chambers flows out through the penile veins, and the erection ends. Erectile dysfunction means the inability to get an erection and keep it firm enough to have sexual intercourse.

Causes

Various factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Some of which includes:

• Certain diseases and conditions:

• Diabetes.

• Atherosclerosis.

• Hypertension.

• Chronic kidney disease.

• Any injury following the treatment for prostate cancer.

• Any injury to the penis.

• Certain medications like:

• Blood pressure medications.

• Antidepressants.

• Tranquilizers.

• Medicines for ulcers.

• Certain psychological conditions:

• Anxiety.

• Depression.

• Stress.

• Fear of sexual failure.

Symptoms

• Trouble getting an erection.

• The other symptom is getting an erection that does not last longer for having sexual intercourse.

Treatment

Aging does not cause erectile dysfunction. So this condition can be treated at any age. First and foremost is that the underlying cause needs to be treated. You need to consult your doctor and choose the right treatment that suits your condition. The various treatments options include:

Medications

• Sildenafil.

• Vardenafil.

• Tadalafil.

• Avanafil.

These medications can help get an erection and maintain it. These work by relaxing the penile muscles and by increasing the blood flow to the penis.

NOTE: You need to talk to your doctor about the medication you are taking for other medical conditions as there can be certain interactions resulting in some serious adverse effects.

Exercises

Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through exercise can be beneficial for treating erectile dysfunction. Exercises like Kegel exercises, squeeze and release, and squats can help improve the condition.

2) Balanitis:

When the head of the penis (glans penis) gets inflamed due to some infection or other causes, it is referred to as balanitis. Balanitis is a common condition that affects around 3 to 11 % of males. It can occur in males of any age and is most commonly seen in uncircumcised males.

Causes

The predictable cause of balanitis is poor hygiene. The other causes include:

• Candidiasis.

• Sexually transmitted diseases.

• Allergy to soaps or any chemicals.

• Scabies.

• Certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

• Diabetes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of balanitis can develop gradually or suddenly. A few of the symptoms include:

• Redness on the penis.

• Pain and irritation on the head of the penis.

• Itching under the foreskin.

• Swelling.

• Discharge under the foreskin.

• Pain while urinating.

• Sores on the glans penis.

Treatment

The treatment for balanitis varies according to the cause that is responsible for it. Mainly improving hygiene practices can reduce the risk to a greater extent. Other treatments available are:

• Topical antifungal creams.

• Antibiotics if sexually transmitted diseases are causing it.

• If there is a recurrence of balanitis, then circumcision is recommended.

3) Peyronie’s Disease:

Peyronie’s disease is a condition in which fibrous scar tissue develops on the penis causing curved and painful erections. This disease can prevent you from having sex, or it can create trouble to get an erection and to maintain it.

Symptoms

• Scar tissue on the glans penis.

• The penis might curve upward or downward or to one side.

• Trouble getting an erection.

• Shortening of the penis.

• Pain in the penis. The pain can be present with or without an erection.

Treatment

• Penile traction therapy.

• Medications such as Collagenase, Verapamil, and Interferon.

• In some instances, when the deformity of the penis is severe, then surgery is recommended.

5) Phimosis:

Phimosis refers to the condition when the foreskin of the penis cannot be pulled back from around the tip of the penis.

Causes:

Phimosis usually occurs naturally. It is still not clear why it occurs in some boys and not in some. Phimosis can also occur when the foreskin is forcibly retracted even before it is ready.

Symptoms:

The major symptom is the inability to retract the foreskin by the age of three years. Around 17 years, the boy should be able to easily retract his foreskin as the foreskin usually loosens over time. And the other symptom is swelling of the foreskin while urinating.

Treatment:

The treatment depends on the cause that is responsible for the condition. If phimosis is caused due to bacterial infections, then antibiotics help resolve the condition, and if a fungus causes the condition, it is treated with antifungal ointments. And if an infection or disease does not cause phimosis, in that case, it is a naturally occurring development and whether treatment is needed or not depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, gentle retraction or applying steroid creams can make the foreskin soft, making retraction easier. But in severe cases, circumcision or simple surgical procedure may be required.

6) Paraphimosis:

Paraphimosis is when the foreskin can be retracted but cannot move back. This can affect the normal blood flow to the penis, causing severe consequences.

Causes:

• Vigorous sexual activities.

• A foreskin that is left retracted long enough for swelling to occur or when a tight foreskin is retracted, resulting in not being able to get back to its original position.

Symptoms:

Paraphimosis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Swelling of the end of the penis.

• Pain and discomfort.

• Redness.

• Not being able to urinate.

• Darkening of tissue on the end of the penis.

Treatment:

The foremost treatment is applying pressure to the swollen penis for a few minutes using a saline swab or ice. If this treatment is not successful, then a puncture technique is recommended.

How Are Penile Disorders Diagnosed?

Most penile disorders are easy to diagnose from the symptoms and physical examination. But if your symptoms do not point to any specific condition, then a few other tests may be suggested. Some of which includes:

• Imaging tests such as ultrasound, pelvic X-ray, CT (computed tomography), and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan to detect any abnormalities that could explain the symptoms.

• Blood tests to check for any infection.

• Biopsy of tissues of the foreskin of penis to look for any cancers.

Can Penile Disorders Be Prevented?

Not all penile conditions can be prevented. But you can follow some ways to keep your penis healthy. Some of which includes:

• Practice safe sex by using condoms.

• Be physically active by doing some moderate exercises.

• Maintain proper hygiene.

• Try to maintain a healthy weight to reduce the risk factors that can contribute to developing penile disorders.

• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

Maintaining proper hygiene practices can keep your penis healthy. Regular checkups can provide you with good awareness of your condition and help in early detection. It can be distressing to talk about penile disorders but do not let embarrassment cost your health.