There are many diseases and conditions that can affect the penis, below is a general guide to some of them.
Priapism - The medical condition Priapism gets its name from the Greek God of fertility Priapus. Priapism however, refers to a condition where men experience a sustained and painful erection for a number of hours. This condition often occurs without sexual arousal and if not treated can lead to permanent damage. Priapism needs to be treated immediately to avoid the likely outcome of permanent erectile dysfunction. Priapism does not usually resolve itself so medical attention is definitely required. The condition is most common between the ages of 5 to 10 years and 20 to 50 years.
Phimosis and Paraphiomosis - Phimosis, or preputial stenosis, is a term that usually means any condition where the foreskin of the penis cannot retract. Phimosis can be caused by failure of foreskin to loosen during growth, infections such as balinitis, deformities caused by trauma and diseases of the genitals. Paraphiomosis is an inability to pull back the foreskin into position over the head of the penis and this can cause pain, swelling of the head of the penis and the foreskin. It may cause restricted blood flow, causing the head of the penis to become dark purple in color. If this occurs emergency treatment is required.
Peyronie's Disease -This is curvature of the penis which may occur for a variety of reasons. When hardening of the tissue is accompanied by pain the condition is likely to be diagnosed as Peyronies disease. This condition can be painful and difficult to treat. Peyronie's disease is thought to occur in about one per cent of the male population and although it is most common between the ages of 45 to 60 it can happen in the young and the elderly. Men in general tend not to seek medical attention unless the condition is severe. It is a condition that is probably under reported. The onset of signs of the disease can be sudden or slow and can vary in severity.
Curvature of the penis is often associated with accompanying pain as the penis becomes increasingly distorted. A bend in the penis, usually at the top of the shaft causes an upward bend. Curvatures can also appear at the bottom of the penis shaft causing a downward bend. Most angulations are up or down. In rare cases hardening of tissue can occur on the top and the bottom and if this happens the penis may shorten. The hardening of the tissue is in an area called the tunica albuinea, the sheath surrounding the erectile tissue. Unfortunately in some men this condition can cause impotence or an incomplete erection.
Balanitis - Men over the age of 40 are most prone to balanitis, a rare but harmless skin disease affecting the penis. More common in men over 40 it is characterised by a shiny red to orange plaque (area). It can also present as a yellow hue with red pinpoint spotting. The causes of balanitis are not yet known for sure but it could be due to friction, poor hygiene, a reaction to infection or chemical or due to heat. The cure for balanitis is to be circumcised.
Cancer of the Penis - Cancer of the penis is a malignant growth of cells in the tissue and/or external area of the penis. It is a very rare but aggressive form of cancer that has a tendency to spread. Signs of cancer and treatment vary from person to person. Medical advice should be the number one priority in these cases.
Hypospadias - Around 1 in every 100 male childbirths results in hypospadias. Hypospadias is a male birth defect where the opening of the urinary tract, the urethra, is not located at the tip of the penis but opens part way up. This affects approximately 1 in every 150 to 300 male births with varying degrees of severity. Hypospadias is 21 per cent more likely to happen where another close family member has experienced the same defect.
Jock Itch - Jock itch refers to a fungal infection of the skin in the groin area. The skin naturally has microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi on its surface. When the right conditions apply these bugs multiply and can cause Tinea cruris, or jock itch. The main treatment is good skin care and hygiene. Topical antifungal ointments, creams and powders are available without prescription.
Male Urinary Incontinence - The causes of male urinary incontinence may be many and varied. Urinary incontinence is the loss of urine control. It can be a temporary or permanent condition depending on the underlying cause and is more common in women than men. These include; prostate problems, head injury and spinal cord injuries, disease, infection, toxins, medications, the aging process and the mental state.
Testicular Cancer - Every year too many men die from a cancer that responds very well to treatment. Despite the number of deaths, testicular cancer is not very common. Even so, it's important to know the signs, symptoms and treatment options.
