Pain around the head of the penis

Pain around the head of the penis can be a symptom of injury, infection, or any condition that seems unrelated to the penis. These pains can be managed with treatment and lifestyle changes recommended by your doctor.

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Common Causes of Pain Around the Head of the Penis

1. Trauma (eg from excessive manipulation of the head of the penis).
2. Bites of the penis by humans or insects.
3. Pimples on the surface of the lesion of the penis.
4. Genital herpes (visible lesions and wounds can often be hidden for 5 or 6 days, after which time they are accompanied by burning, itching or pain at the site of infection).
5. Inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis).
6. Syphilis (can cause painlessness of the penis, pain in the head).
7. Non-specific urethritis caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea.
8. Infections under the foreskin of uncircumcised men (balanitis).
9. Reitara syndrome.
10. Priapism (a condition opposite to erectile dysfunction, i.e. a painful condition of prolonged erection).
11. Peyronie's disease.
12. Penile cancer.
13. An infected penis, in place of which a prosthesis is placed.
14. Sickle cell anemia.

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Structure of the penis

Penis (translated from Latin as penis, from Greek as φάλλος phállos). This is one of the external genitals, which refers to the reproductive system of the stronger sex - men. The penis serves to remove urine from the bladder, inject sperm into the vagina of a woman, it is also an organ of copulation (connection during sexual intercourse).

The phallus consists of a base and a root, as well as a trunk and a body, which are completed by a head. The trunk of the phallus is formed by one spongy body and two cavernous bodies. These bodies - both the cavernous and the spongy body - consist of a dense protein shell. From it, crossbars go into the sexual organ, there are many of them, and they are called trabeculae. It is the spaces between the trabeculae that form the so-called lacunae or caverns.

The cavernous bodies are located along the edges of the penis, and the spongy body is located between them, in a special groove, with the spongy body adjacent to the lower part. It contains the urethra, also called the urethra. At the end of the penis, the spongy body ends in a cone-shaped thickening - this is the head. Its edge covers the ends of the cavernous bodies and also fuses with them. At the place of fusion, a crown is formed, it goes around the circumference, it ends with a coronal groove.

The skin on the penis is very delicate and thin. It contains many glands. The head contains many caves - lacunae, which fill with blood when the penis is excited. The head of the phallus also has many nerve endings. This makes it very sensitive to friction and even touch. Because of the huge number of nerve endings in the head of the penis, it is the most sensitive part of it.

The head of the phallus is covered on the outside with skin - the foreskin, which is thin and very easy to move. It goes further into the skin of the pubis (this is at the top) and goes into the skin of the scrotum (located at the bottom of the phallus). There is a seam on the lower surface of the phallus, it goes from behind along the thin skin of the scrotum and then - the perineum. Why does pain occur in the head or around the head of the penis?

What is priapism?

Priapism is a prolonged, often painful erection that lasts more than four hours. The erection in priapism is not associated with sexual activity and is not relieved by orgasm. It occurs when blood fills the penis.

What causes priapism?

Common causes of priapism include:

1. Alcohol or drug abuse (particularly cocaine)
2. Certain medications, including some antidepressants and blood pressure medications
3. Spinal cord problems
4. Genital injuries
5. Anesthesia that is not administered correctly or causes allergies
6. Penile injection therapy (for the treatment of erectile dysfunction)
7. Blood diseases, including leukemia and sickle cell anemia

How to treat priapism?

Treatment of priapism is a medical emergency because prolonged erection can cause severe pain in the penis and glans and lead to long-term complications of erectile dysfunction if priapism is not treated. The goal of treatment is to relieve the condition of the penis and preserve penile function. In most cases, treatment involves draining the blood using a needle that is inserted into the glans.

Medications are also used to help narrow the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the penis. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to avoid permanent trauma to the penis and its sensitive head. If the condition is related to sickle cell disease, a blood transfusion may be necessary. Treating any underlying medical conditions or substance abuse problems will help resolve priapism.

What is balanitis?

Balanitis is an inflammation of the head of the penis. A similar condition, balanoposthitis, refers to inflammation of the head of the penis and foreskin. Symptoms of balanitis include redness or swelling of the head of the penis, itching, rash, pain, and foul-smelling discharge.

What causes balanitis?

Balanitis is most common in men and boys whose foreskin has not been circumcised (surgically removed) and who suffer from poor hygiene. Inflammation can develop if the sensitive skin under the foreskin is not washed regularly. This allows sweat, dust, dead skin and bacteria to collect under the foreskin and irritate the head of the penis. Having a tight foreskin can make it difficult to keep the area clean and can lead to irritation from foul-smelling substances (smegma) that can accumulate under the foreskin.

Other causes of balanitis may include these diseases:

Dermatitis/allergy. This is an inflammation of the skin, often caused by irritants or contact allergies. Sensitivity to chemicals in certain products – such as soaps, detergents, perfumes and spermicides – can cause an allergic reaction of the penis, including irritation, itching and a rash on the head of the penis.

Infection. A yeast infection called Candida albicans (thrush) can cause an itchy, red, spotty rash on the head of the penis. Some sexually transmitted diseases — including gonorrhea, herpes, and syphilis — can cause symptoms of balanitis and pain in or around the head of the penis.

In addition, people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing balanitis. Glucose (sugar) in the urine serves as a breeding ground for bacteria under the head of the penis.

How to treat balanitis?

Treatment for balanitis depends on the cause. If there is an infection, treatment will include appropriate antibiotics or antifungal medications. In cases of severe trauma or persistent inflammation, circumcision may be recommended.

By taking proper hygiene measures, a person can help prevent future bouts of balanitis, such as retracting the foreskin and adequately cleaning and drying the glans penis daily. It is also important to avoid chemical-laden soaps or chemicals in lotions, especially those that cause irritation of the glans penis and pain around it.

What is phimosis?

Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin of the penis is so tight that the man cannot open the head of the penis.

Causes of Phimosis

Phimosis, which is seen most often in children, can be present at birth. It can also be caused by infection or scar tissue that forms as a result of injury or chronic inflammation. Another cause of phimosis is balanitis, which causes scarring and tightness of the foreskin. See a doctor immediately if urination is difficult or impossible.

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How to treat phimosis?

Treatment of phimosis can be gradual with medication. Sometimes the foreskin can be loosened with medications used to treat the penis. Circumcision, the surgical removal of the foreskin, is often used to treat phimosis. Another surgical procedure involves separating the foreskin from the head of the penis. This procedure is less traumatic to the foreskin than circumcision. The pain around the head of the penis is greatly reduced and then disappears.

What is paraphimosis?

Paraphimosis occurs when the foreskin first retracts and then fails to return to its original place, becoming inflamed and encircling the glans in a ring. Paraphimosis is also called a stranglehold or Spanish collar. This condition requires emergency medical attention, which can cause serious complications if paraphimosis is not treated.

What causes paraphimosis?

Paraphimosis can begin to develop after an erection or sexual activity, or as a result of injury to the glans penis. In paraphimosis, the foreskin does not cover the glans penis. Pain may develop around the glans penis due to the constricting and pressing ring. If paraphimosis continues, it can cause pain and swelling in the glans and disrupt blood flow to the penis. In extreme cases, lack of blood flow can lead to tissue death (gangrene) and amputation of the penis.

How to treat paraphimosis?

Treatment for paraphimosis is aimed at reducing swelling of the glans and foreskin. Applying ice may help reduce swelling, or applying pressure to the glans penis may help force blood and fluid out of the glans penis.

If these measures fail to reduce the swelling and prevent the foreskin from returning to its normal position, injections are used. In severe cases, the surgeon may make small incisions in the foreskin to release the glans. Circumcision may also be used to treat paraphimosis.

What is penile cancer?

Penile cancer is a rare form of cancer that occurs when abnormal cells in the penis divide and grow uncontrollably. Some benign (non-cancerous) tumors can develop and become cancerous.

What causes penile cancer?

The cause of penile cancer is unknown, but there are certain risk factors for developing the disease. Risk factors are anything that increases a person's chance of getting cancer. Risk factors for penile cancer may include:

Lack of circumcision. Men whose foreskin is not circumcised at birth have a higher risk of developing penile cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV includes more than 100 types of viruses that can cause warts (papillomas) on the head of the penis and pain around it. Some types of HPV can infect the genitals and the anal area. These types of HPV are transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact.

Smoking: Smoking involves many carcinogenic chemicals that enter the body and affect the lungs.

Smegma. Oily secretions from the skin can accumulate under the foreskin of the penis. The result is a thick, foul-smelling substance called smegma. If the penis is not cleaned thoroughly, the presence of smegma can cause irritation and inflammation around the head of the penis and pain in the area.

Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin becomes narrow and difficult to retract.

Treatment for Psoriasis: Psoriasis and other skin conditions that tend to cause penile pain are sometimes treated with a combination of medications and exposure to ultraviolet light, which can increase the risk of penile cancer.

Age: More than half of penile cancer cases occur in men over 68.

What are the symptoms of penile cancer?

Symptoms of penile cancer include growths or ulcers on the head of the penis, abnormal discharge under the foreskin, and bleeding from the head.

What procedures can be used to treat penile cancer?

Surgery to remove the cancerous tumor is the most common treatment for penile cancer. Your doctor may treat penile cancer with one of the following surgeries.

Wide local excision of the area with cancerous tumors

Removing cancer by scraping away the tumor with a curette (thin, long instruments with a scraped edge) and applying an electrical current to the affected area to kill the cancer cells.

Cryosurgery – This method uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells.

Microsurgery (Mohs surgery) is a procedure that removes as much cancerous and normal tissue as possible. During surgery, the doctor uses a microscope to look at areas of cancerous tumors and make sure all cancer cells are removed.

Laser surgery uses a narrow beam of light to remove cancer cells. Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin.

Penectomy is a surgery that removes the penis. It is the most common and most effective treatment for penile cancer. In this method, part of the penis is removed. As a result, the entire penis will be removed. The lymph nodes in the groin may be taken into account during the surgery.

What is Peyronie's disease?

Peyronie's disease is a condition in which a plaque, or hard lump, forms on the penis. The plaques can develop on the top (usually) or bottom of the penis, in the layers that contain erectile tissue. The plaques, or hard lumps, often develop as localized areas of irritation and swelling (inflammation), and can develop into a hardened scar. The scars reduce the elasticity of the penis and its head. Pain in the head can be a common problem for a man.

Peyronie's disease can develop in a mild form, which heals without treatment in six to 18 months. In these cases, the problem is aggravated by the inflammatory phase. In severe cases, the disease can be permanent. Hardened plaque on the head of the penis reduces its flexibility, causing pain and forcing the penis to bend into an arc during erection.

In addition to the curvature of the penis, Peyronie's disease can cause general pain as well as painful erections. It can also cause emotional stress and affect a person's desire and ability to function during sex.

What causes Peyronie's disease?

The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is unknown. In men who develop the disease quickly, it lasts a short time and goes away without treatment. A likely cause is trauma (a blow or too much bending) that causes bleeding inside the penis. However, in some men, Peyronie's disease develops slowly and is serious enough to require surgical treatment. Other possible causes of Peyronie's disease include:

Vasculitis. This is an inflammation of the blood or lymph vessels. This inflammation can cause scar tissue to form on the penis or head of the penis and cause pain in the head of the penis.

Connective tissue development disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 30% of men with Peyronie's disease develop disorders that affect connective tissue not only in the penis but also in other parts of the body, such as the arms and legs.

These conditions typically cause a thickening or hardening of the connective tissue of the penis. Connective tissue is specialized tissue - such as cartilage, bone, and skin - that acts to support other tissues in the body.

Heredity: Some studies show that people who have relatives with Peyronie's disease have an increased risk of developing the disease.

How is Peyronie's disease treated?

There are two ways in which treatment for Peyronie's disease may be considered: surgery or non-surgical treatment.

Because the plaque from Peyronie's disease often diminishes or disappears without treatment, many doctors suggest waiting one to two years or more before attempting to correct the situation with surgery. In many cases, surgery produces positive results. But because complications can still occur, and many problems associated with Peyronie's disease (such as penile shortening) are not corrected by surgery, most doctors prefer to operate only on men with curvature of the penis so severe that sexual intercourse is impossible.

There are two surgical methods used to treat Peyronie's disease. One method involves removing plaque from the head of the penis and the penis itself and then inserting a patch of skin or artificial material (skin graft). With the second technique, the surgeon removes or clamps tissue from the side of the penis opposite the plaque, which compensates for the curvature. The first method may involve partial loss of erection. The second method causes shortening of the penis.

A penile implant may be used in cases where Peyronie's disease has affected a man's ability to achieve or maintain an erection.

Non-surgical treatment for Peyronie's disease involves injecting medications directly into the plaques in an attempt to soften the affected tissue of the penis, reduce pain in the penis and head, and correct penile curvature. Vitamin E and anti-inflammatory pills also help some men with Peyronie's disease. Less invasive options include laser therapy to liquefy the plaques of Peyronie's disease.

Home Care for Pain Around the Head of the Penis

Home treatment for pain around the head of the penis depends on the cause of the pain. Talk to your doctor to see if ice can help relieve the pain.

If the pain in the penis is caused by a sexually transmitted disease, it is important to treat the sexual partner as well.

Priapism is a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.

Call your doctor if

• The pain does not go away over a long period of time.
• The penis does not fall down (priapism). This can lead to impotence if this condition continues permanently.
• Diseases that are difficult to explain and identify.

The physical examination will likely include a detailed examination of the penis, particularly the glans penis, examination of the testicles, and groin.

Pain can be treated once the cause is identified. Priapism requires relief of the penis to relieve urinary retention and medication or surgery if needed. Antibiotics, antiviral medications or other medications may be necessary to clear up infections. Sometimes circumcision may be necessary. This is recommended to prevent and clear up chronic infection.

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