Penile Problems: 5 Penis Conditions that Can Occur In Kids And Adults

Updated on August 5, 2019

Around 30% of men aren’t satisfied with their penis size. But if you have one of these serious penile problems, your penis size is the least of your worries.

Penis-related health issues are more common than you think. However, due to the stigma, people don’t talk about these issues enough. Many who suffer from these conditions are too ashamed to report it, so the statistics aren’t 100% accurate.

Learning about penile conditions will make you more informed about penis health. You deserve to learn how to recognize certain penis conditions before it’s too late.

Here are 5 penile conditions you should know about:

1. Balanitis

Balanitis is an inflammation that causes swollen penile glans (the head of the penis). Symptoms include swelling, rashes, itchiness, and a foul-smelling discharge.

When you think of common “dick infections,” you’re probably thinking of balanitis. If an uncircumcised penis isn’t cleaned properly, things like bacteria, dead skin cells, sweat, and debris build up and cause penile infections or balanitis. Other causes of balanitis include dermatitis, yeast infections, and STIs. 

2. Peyronie’s Disease

Peyronie’s disease is when plaque (scar tissue) forms inside of the penis. As a result, erections become painful and curved.

For the record: Many healthy types of penis have a curve. The curvature in healthy penises doesn’t cause pain or dysfunction like the severe curvature in Peyronie’s disease does.

If you suspect that you have Peyronie’s disease, you need to consult a health professional. The aforementioned link will not only educate you about this disease, but also refer you to an experienced treatment team.

3. Priapism

Priapism occurs when an erection lasts for 4 or more hours and isn’t relieved by stimulation. These persistent erections are painful and unrelated to sexual activity.

Healthy penis types can have long-lasting erections, but there’s no pain and orgasm brings relief. If your erection lasts longer than 4 hours and won’t go away, seek medical help immediately. 

4. Phimosis

Phimosis is when the foreskin is so tight, it can’t retract or move off of the penis’s head. It occurs in all age groups, but becomes more apparent around 10 years old.

Symptoms include a swollen penis head, painful erections, difficulty/pain during urination or intercourse, redness, foreskin pain, urinary tract infections, and blood in urine or semen. Phimosis also causes a white ring around the opening of the foreskin.

Untreated phimosis can lead to this next condition:

5. Paraphimosis

Paraphimosis occurs when the foreskin of a penis with phimosis finally retracts, but gets stuck behind the head. Thus, the foreskin can’t return to its resting location.

This condition cuts off blood flow to the penis. The common symptoms are swelling, redness, painful urination/intercourse, bruising, and discoloration. If left untreated, paraphimosis can cause serious complications.

Don’t Let These Penile Problems Get Worse

Experts think 20 million men have ED. However, these penile problems take erectile dysfunction to a much more painful level.

You can’t manage any of these penile conditions on your own. Only professional treatments can curb their symptoms.

In the meantime, get informed about health⁠—check out our articles about health care. You’ll be surprised by what you’ll learn.

+ posts

Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.