How to Know you Have Penile Problems

Penis health goes beyond your ability to get and keep an erection, ejaculate, and reproduce. Penis problems can be a sign of an underlying health condition and these problems can affect sexual relationships, cause stress, cause poor self-confidence, and affect other areas of the sufferer`s life. What are the signs and symptoms of penis problems and what you can do to protect your penis health? Let`s talk about this.

12 Common Penile Conditions

Erectile Dysfunction

This is the inability to get and keep an erection that is firm enough for the sufferer or his partner to enjoy sex.

Ejaculation Problems

Ejaculation problems include various conditions such as the inability to ejaculate, premature ejaculation, painful ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, reduced ejaculation, or retrograde ejaculation, a condition in which the semen goes into the bladder instead of getting out through the penis.

Anorgasmia

Anorgasmia is the inability to have an orgasm despite sufficient penile stimulation. This inhibits sexual satisfaction.

Yeast Infection

Yeast infection may cause inflammation to the balanitis, which is the head of the penis. This usually appears as white patches on the penis, reddish rash, itching or burning, as well as white discharge.

Peyronie’s Disease

Peyronie`s disease is a chronic condition that entails the development of abnormal scar tissue inside the penis and resulting in painful erections.

Decreased Libido

Low libido is a decrease in sex drive that may develop as a result of medical conditions or psychological or emotional issues.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

There are numerous infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, and genital herpes that can cause penis discharge, painful urination, sores, and blisters on the penis or other parts of the genital area.

Paraphimosis

Paraphimosis is difficulty in returning the foreskin to its normal position after it is retracted. This may cause impaired blood flow and painful swelling of the penis.

Penile Fracture

A penile fracture is a rupture of the fibrous, tubelike tissue in the penis during an erection.  It is usually caused by the forceful striking of the penis on the female pelvis during sex.

Penile Cancer

Penile cancer usually begins as a blister on the foreskin, head, or shaft of the penis and further develops into a wartlike growth that discharges watery pus.

Priapism

Priapism is a persistent painful erection. This condition is not caused by arousal or sexual stimulation.

Phimosis

Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis cannot be retracted from the penis head, thereby causing painful erections and urination.

10 Factors that Increase the Risk of Penile Problems

Neurological Conditions

Neurological conditions such as spinal cord and back injuries, stroke, dementia, and multiple sclerosis can affect the transfer of nerve impulses from the brain to the penis, thereby causing erectile dysfunction.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Radical prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate gland and surrounding tissue, is a treatment for prostate cancer. This treatment might cause erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of erectile dysfunction, and of course, causes other health challenges.

Excessive Drinking

Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause erectile dysfunction, low libido, among some other sexual issues.

Some Medications

Erectile dysfunction can be a side effect of some medications such as antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, ulcer drugs, prescription sleep medicine, and drugs for prostate cancer.

Hormone Levels

Hormone imbalances, especially testosterone deficiency, put men at risk of erectile dysfunction.

Aging

Aging causes a decline in testosterone levels and increases the risk of erectile dysfunction, weaker orgasms, less penile sensitivity to touch, and decreased force of ejaculation.

Unsafe Sex

Unprotected sex and sex with multiple partners increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections which will definitely affect penile health.

Psychological Factors

Men who suffer depression, anxiety, severe stress, or other mental health conditions, or are on medications for these conditions, may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. Also, erectile dysfunction may cause or worsen depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, and stress due to poor sexual performance.

Piercings

A penis piercing can cause a skin infection and obstruct urinary flow. Piercings on certain parts of the penis may also affect orgasm and erection.

Other factors that affect penile health are:

• heart disease
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• obesity

Symptoms of Penile Disorders

• Abrupt changes in sexual desire
• Bleeding during ejaculation or urination
• Changes in the way you ejaculate
• Bumps, warts, lesions, or a rash on your penis or in your genital area
• A severely curved penis that causes pain or impedes sexual satisfaction
• Severe pain after trauma to your penis
• Burning sensation during urination
• Discharge from the penis

Tips for Keeping your Penis Healthy

• Keep a mutually monogamous relationship with your partner.
• You and your partner should be tested and free of sexually transmitted infections.
• Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce the risk of high blood pressure, developing high cholesterol,  type 2 diabetes, and other risk factors for erectile dysfunction.
• Practice good hygiene, particularly if you’re not circumcised. Clean beneath your foreskin regularly with soap and water.
• Use condoms if you must keep multiple sexual partners.
• Get vaccinated for the human papillomavirus (HPV) if you’re age 26 or younger.
  You`re advised to exercise regularly. Moderate physical activity will reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction.
• Stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake, or stop if you can. If you need help quitting,  smoking or drinking, talk to your doctor.
• Always discuss medication use and possible side effects with your doctor.
• Pay careful attention to your mental health. Seek treatment whenever you experience symptoms of mental health issues.
• Routinely examine your penis and go for medical checkups for early awareness of penile conditions.
• Don`t let embarrassment stop you from discussing penile health issues with your doctor.

Some Penis Facts you Should Know

• Frequent sex has loads of health benefits; it particularly boosts sex drive.
• Contrary to popular belief, there’s no evidence that chastity can damage the penis.
• Perceived ejaculate volume reduction (PEVR) causes a reduction in the volume of semen ejaculated.
• PEVR is usually caused by diabetes, depression, some testicular conditions, and side effects of some medications.
• Carrots and tomatoes can increase motility and sperm count and motility.
• Uncircumcised penises are more susceptible to balanitis and STIs.
• Circumcised penises are more likely to get irritated or chafed, so you`re advised to always wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
• Science has no proof that being a shower or grower is healthier.
• It is natural for the groin to smell when you sweat. Thorough washing will eliminate the smell.
• If your groin smells terrible all the time, you might want to see your doctor, as that may be an indicator of a condition such as gonorrhea, UTI, balanitis, yeast infection, or chlamydia.
• Many STIs are asymptomatic, so may not have any noticeable symptoms.
• It is safe for you and your potential sex partner to run tests before engaging in any sexual activity.
• Your urine gives an idea of your health condition. Clear urine could mean you’re overhydrated, yellow to amber urine is usually normal, while brown or orange urine could mean you’re dehydrated.
• Other urine colors such as cloudy, green, bloody, or blue could be signs of an infection or a health condition.
• If you urinate too often, it could be a sign of diabetes, interstitial cystitis, or urinary tract infection (UTI).