10 Most Common Penis Disorder and Solutions

Penile health is an important part of your health. It goes beyond your ability to get and maintain an erection, ejaculate, and reproduce. Penis problems may be a symptom of an underlying health disorder. Continuing health issues affecting your penis can also impact other areas of your life. This can cause tension, relationship problems, or low self-confidence. Know the signs and symptoms of problems with the penis and the solution.

What are penis disorders?

Penile disorders are conditions and illnesses affecting the male genital organ. They can negatively affect one’s sexual function and fertility. Penile issues can include both conditions and infections such as: 

• Balanitis, 
• Phimosis, 
• Peyronie’s disease, 
• Candidiasis (thrush), 
• Ejaculatory problems, 
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Here are some of the more common disorders and conditions that affect the penis are:

1. Balanitis

Balanitis is an infection of the glans (head) of the penis. If the foreskin is still inflamed, this disease is called balanoposthitis. Symptoms of balanitis may include: 

• Penile pain
• Swelling and itching
• A rash on the penis
• A strong-smelling discharge from the penis

Poor hygiene in uncircumcised males is the most common cause of balanitis. If you do not clean your penis properly under the foreskin, bacteria, sweat, dead skin cells, and debris may build up around the glans and lead to inflammation.

Treatment

If the infection is the cause, the treatment will require antibiotics or antifungal medicines. Circumcision could be the safest treatment choice if balanitis is serious or recurrent.

2. Epispadias: A Congenital Penis Disorder

Epispadias is a rare birth defect characterized by a urethra that does not develop entirely. It causes the body to be unable to pass urine properly. When it happens in males, they are generally born with a short, wide penis that is curved abnormally. Instead of opening the urethra at the tip of the penis, this may open at the top of the side of the penis. Or it may open along the length of the penis.

Treatment

Mild cases do not require surgery. But most cases of epispadias may need to be surgically corrected. The goal of treatment is to optimize the function and length of the penis and to create a more natural appearance, the penis. There are two common surgical procedures to correct epispadias: 

• The modified Cantwell technique 
• And the Mitchell technique.

3. Hypospadias: An Early Penis Disorder

Hypospadias is a birth condition in which the opening of the urethra occurs on the underside of the penis. The disorder ranges in severity, depending on where the opening is formed. Many times, the urethral opening is similar to the head of the penis. Signs and signs of hypospadias include: 

• Abnormal urethral opening, 
• Chordee (lower curve of the penis), 
• Abnormal urination spraying, 
• Foreskin abnormalities that make the penis look hooded.

Treatment

Many men born with hypospadias experience normal sexual function as adults if they are treated. Treatment requires surgery to reposition the opening of the urethra and, in some cases, to straighten the shaft of the penis.

4. Penile Cancer

Penile cancer is a rare type of disorder that develops when abnormal cells in the penis divide and develop out of control. So, certain benign (non-cancer) tumors can progress to cancer. The exact cause of penile cancer is unknown, although there are certain risk factors for the disease.

Treatment

Although cancer removal surgery is the most common treatment for penile cancer. A doctor may also consider one of the following treatments for cancer:

• Wide local excision only removes cancer and some normal tissue on either side.
• Cryosurgery is using liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells.
• Laser treatment uses a narrow light beam to remove cancer cells.
• Circumcision is a method for the removal of the foreskin.

5. Peyronie’s disease: A Penis Disorder That May Affect Sex Life

Peyronie’s disease is a penile disorder that occurs when scar tissue, or plaque, develops within the penis and causes erections to be curved and painful. Therefore, many men have a slight curve to their erect penis, which disorder doesn’t pose any problems. But when it is painful, or the bend is severe, it can lead to erectile dysfunction and even make sexual intercourse impossible. 

Treatment

In some cases, Peyronie’s disease is mild and does not cause serious complications. And, treatment might not be necessary for that situation. However, if you have penile discomfort or a penis curve that causes sexual intercourse problems, call the doctor.

6. Priapism: A Short-term Penis Disorder

Priapism is a chronic erection that lasts more than four hours and is not relieved by orgasm. Erections that occur in this disorder can be painful and are not always linked to sexual intercourse. Common factors include: 

• Drugs
• Alcohol and drug abuse 
• Spinal cord issues
• Some blood diseases

Treatment

Priapism is a medical emergency. If you have an erection that has lasted longer than four hours, you should seek care in the emergency room. Although treatment usually involves draining blood from the penis. Medications that may help reduce blood flow in the arteries can also be used. Nevertheless, surgery will rarely be needed to correct the problem and avoid permanent damage to the penis.

7. Phimosis

Phimosis is a disorder that makes it impossible to remove the foreskin from the penis. Whereas, paraphimosis is a disease that makes it difficult to reposition the foreskin. Both conditions can occur in boys and men uncircumcised (who have not had their foreskin removed).

Treatment:

If guys cannot retract their foreskin as long as they are adolescents, they may need treatment. Hence, treatments require the use of steroid creams and circumcision if steroid cream is unsuccessful.

8. Paraphimosis: Penis Disorder That needs Urgent Attention

Paraphimosis happens when the foreskin cannot return to its original location after it has been retracted. As it is a medical emergency that can cause severe complications if you do not treat it. Therefore, it may cause discomfort, swelling, and impair the flow of blood to the penis. In extreme cases, loss of blood supply may lead to tissue death (gangrene), and amputation of the penis may be necessary.

Treatment

The treatment of paraphimosis focuses on the removal of glans and foreskin swelling. Applying ice can help to reduce swelling. If these steps fail to minimize swelling and allow the foreskin to return to its normal position, it may be necessary to inject medication to help drain the penis.

9. Lymphangiosclerosis

Lymphangiosclerosis occurs when a lymph vessel in your penis hardens, forming a bulge under your skin. As a result, it looks like there’s a thick cord around the penis head or penile shaft base.

Treatment

Although many cases with lymphangiosclerosis go away in a couple of weeks without any treatment. But, if it’s due to an STI, you’re going to need to take an antibiotic. You will also need to stop having sex until the virus is fully gone. 

10. Ejaculation disorders: A Very Common Penis Disorder

The most common sexual dysfunction in men is the ejaculatory disease. These include:                     

• Rapid or premature ejaculation (75%), 
• Delayed ejaculation (8%) often caused by nerve or drug, 
• No ejaculation, and retrograde ejaculation due to the incompetence of the bladder neck

Treatment

Common treatment methods for premature ejaculation include: 

• Behavioural techniques
• Topical anaesthetics
• Drugs
• Therapy

Keep in mind that it may take time to find a medication or combination of treatments that would work for you. Behavioural treatment plus drug therapy could be the most effective course of action.

The Bottom Line

Not all penis problems can be prevented. Daily inspection of your penis, will make you more aware of the state of your penis and help you see changes. Daily tests will also help ensure that problems affecting the penis are diagnosed as quickly and efficiently as possible.