Health Encyclopedia

Penis pain

Definition

Penis pain is any pain or discomfort in the penis.

Alternative Names

Pain - penis; Priapism

Common Causes

Injury (such as that due to too much manipulation)
Bites, either human or insect
Pimples
Genital herpes
Inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis)
Syphilis
Nonspecific urethritis caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea
Infection under the foreskin of uncircumcised men (balanitis)
Reiter syndrome
Priapism (persistent erection that does not go away)
Peyronie's disease
Cancer of the penis
Infected penile prosthesis
Sickle cell anemia

Home Care

The ability to treat penis pain at home depends on the underlying cause. Consult your health care provider about treatment. Ice packs may help ease the pain.

If penis pain is caused by a sexually transmitted disease, it is important for your sexual partner to also be treated.

Priapism is a medical emergency, so seek care immediately if you have a painful, prolonged erection that does not resolve. For penis pain caused by priapism that is being treated, ask your health care provider about treatment for the underlying disorder.

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if you notice any of the following:

Pain persists for more than 4 hours
A persistent erection (priapism) -- seek immediate medical attention
Pain with other unexplained symptoms

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and will obtain a medical history, which may include the following questions:

When did the pain develop?
Is it always present?
Is it a painful erection (priapism)?
Is there pain when the penis is not erect?
Is the pain in all of the penis or just a specific part of it?
Have you had any open sores or other lesions?
Has there been a trauma to the area?
Are you at risk for any sexually transmitted disease?
Have you been knowningly exposed to a sexually-transmitted disease?
What other symptoms are present?

The physical examination will probably include a detailed examination of the penis, testicles, scrotum, and groin.

The pain can be treated once its cause has been identified. For priapism, a urinary catheter may be inserted to relieve urine retention, and medications or surgery (occasionally) will be discussed with you if they are necessary. Antibiotics, antiviral medications, or other antimicrobials may be prescribed for infections. Rarely, circumcision is advised for chronic infection under the foreskin.

Review Date:10/24/2006
Reviewed By:Marc Greenstein, DO, Urologist, North Jersey Center for Urologic Care, Denville, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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