Penis problems

If you have a problem that affects your penis, go to your GP or a sexual health clinic to get it checked.

Some of the most common penis problems are:

• itchy pubic area
• blisters on the penis
• spots on the penis
• discharge from the penis
• intense itching around the penis
• small fleshy growths
• inflamed penis head
• foreskin problems

Penile cancer can also affect the penis. It's rare and usually affects men over the age of 50. Symptoms of early penile cancer include changes in colour, swelling or a lump on the penis.

Itchy pubic area

Itchy spots in the pubic hair region may be a sign of a pubic lice infection, also called crabs.

If you have pubic lice, you may notice itching and:

• a dark-coloured powder on your skin or underwear from lice droppings
• blue spots on your skin from lice bites
• white, oval dots at the base of your hairs - these are empty lice eggshells (nits)

You can treat pubic lice with medicines. You can buy these in most pharmacies without a prescription.

Blisters on your penis

Painful blisters on and around your penis could be a sign of genital herpes. The blisters may burst to leave open sores.

Genital herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can spread through sexual contact.

Many people who have the virus do not have symptoms. If you have symptoms, contact your GP.

They may prescribe antiviral tablets. Treatment does not cure genital herpes but it can help you heal more quickly.

Spots on the penis

Spots on and around the skin of the penis could be a sign of molluscum contagiosum (MC). MC is a viral infection.

The spots are about 2mm to 5mm wide. They are raised with a white dimple in the middle. The clusters may spread to your tummy and thighs. If the spots burst, they release a yellow or white substance.

MC usually clears up by itself. But the virus is very infectious. To prevent the spread of MC, avoid squeezing or scratching the spots.

Molluscum contagiosum - sexualwellbeing.ie

Discharge from the penis

It’s normal to release some white or clear fluid from the tip of your penis:

• when you are sexually excited
• first thing in the morning

But a thick white, yellow or green discharge and pain when you pee may be symptoms of gonorrhoea or chlamydia. These are infections caused by bacteria.

The treatment for both is antibiotics. If they are left untreated, they can lead to serious long-term health problems and infertility.

Gonorrhoea - sexualwellbeing.ie

Intense itching

Intense itching around your penis that gets worse at night could be a symptom of scabies. You may also have an itchy rash or tiny red spots. The rash may leave dark spots on brown or black skin.

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. It is mainly spread through skin-to-skin contact. It can take up to 8 weeks after contact for symptoms to appear.

You can get a cream or lotion to treat scabies at a pharmacy without a prescription.

Small fleshy growths

Small fleshy growths that are firm and raised with a rough surface could be genital warts. This is a common type of sexually transmitted infection (STI).

You may have a single wart or clusters of warts, with a cauliflower-like appearance. Genital warts are usually painless. But they can be itchy and unpleasant to look at.

Contact your GP if you think you have genital warts. Your GP can prescribe a cream or freeze them with liquid nitrogen.

Bent penis

It's common for the penis to curve slightly to the left or right when it's erect.

Sometimes a bend in the penis can improve on its own. You may not need treatment if the bend does not cause discomfort.

Peyronie’s disease can cause a bend in the penis. Other signs include a thickened area or hard lump in the shaft of the penis. The condition mostly affects men age 40 and older. But it can happen at any age.

Many cases are mild and do not need treatment. But contact your GP if the bend causes pain, distress or makes it difficult to have sex. They may refer you to a urologist for treatment. Non-surgical treatment and surgery is available.

Inflamed penis head

Swelling, redness and soreness in the head of the penis and lumpy discharge under the foreskin may be a sign of balanitis.

Balantis is when the foreskin or head of the penis become inflamed and infected.

Causes of balanitis include:

• thrush
• skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
• germs building up under the foreskin
• poor hygiene
• unprotected sex

Treatment is usually daily washing of the area. Wash the head of your penis with warm water and dry it gently. If you have foreskin, gently pull it back and wash it. Avoid certain skin irritants such as perfumed soap.

If your symptoms do not improve with good hygiene, contact your GP. They may prescribe a cream or do tests to find the cause of the problem.

If balanitis does not clear up after treatment, they may refer you to a specialist.

Foreskin conditions

Conditions that can cause pain and discomfort around the foreskin of the penis include:

• tight foreskin (phimosis)
• paraphimosis
• balanitis xerotica obliterans

There are different treatment options for these conditions. If these do not work, your GP or specialist may consider circumcision (removal of the foreskin).

Tight foreskin (phimosis)

Phimosis is where the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the head of the penis (glans). This can sometimes cause pain when the penis is erect. In rare cases, it may be difficult to pee.

Topical steroids can be used to treat most cases of phimosis. These help soften the skin and make it easier for the foreskin to retract.

Paraphimosis

Paraphimosis is when the foreskin cannot return to its original position after you pull it back. It causes the head of the penis to become swollen and painful. Immediate treatment helps to avoid serious complications. For example, restricted blood flow to the penis.

To treat paraphimosis, a specialist may:

1. rub a local anaesthetic gel on the head of your penis to reduce pain and inflammation
2. apply pressure to the head of the penis while pushing the foreskin forward

In severe cases, they may:

1. apply a local anaesthetic gel to your penis
2. make a small slit in the foreskin to help relieve the pressure

Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO)

BXO causes tight foreskin. In some cases, it also affects the head of the penis. The head can become scarred and inflamed.

Treatment for BXO is usually surgery, such as circumcision (removal of the foreskin).