Penis Symptoms

PENIS SYMPTOMS

DEFINITION

  • Penis symptoms include rash, pain, discharge, itching and swelling.
  • Not due to a known injury

General Information

Here are some common causes of penis symptoms:

  • Bladder infection (cystitis)
  • Contact dermatitis (e.g. latex condoms, lubricants, spermicides, perfumed soaps)
  • Irritation (small friction burns) after sexual intercourse or masturbation (inadequate lubrication)
  • Poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash
  • Skin cancer
  • Priapism
  • STD's (e.g., Herpes simplex, Syphilis, Chancroid, LGV, pubic lice, genital warts)
  • Trauma
  • Any preexisting skin disorders/rashes can also occur on the penis and scrotum (e.g., psoriasis, eczema, drug rashes)

Priapism

  • Definition: Priapism is defined as an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours.
  • Symptoms: Prolonged, unwanted, usually painful erection.
  • Causes: Sickle cell anemia and certain medications.
  • Treatment: Erections lasting longer than 4 hours may require specialized treatment in an emergency department.

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WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call your doctor now (night or day) if:

  • You feel weak or very sick
  • Large amount of blood from end of penis
  • Not circumcised, and foreskin pulled back and became stuck around head of penis
  • Fever and looks infected (e.g., draining sore, ulcer, rash is painful to touch)
  • Fever and burning (pain) with urination
  • Unable to urinate for more than 4 hours, and bladder feels very full
  • Painful erection lasting more than 1 hour

Call your doctor within 24 hours (between 9am and 4pm) if:

  • You think you need to be seen
  • Burning (pain) with urination
  • Pus (white, yellow) or bloody discharge from end of penis
  • Blood in urine
  • Looks infected (e.g., draining sore, ulcer, rash is painful to touch)
  • Rash with painful tiny water blisters
  • Swollen foreskin (not circumcised)

Call your doctor during weekday office hours if:

  • You have other questions or concerns
  • You are worried you might have a sexually transmitted disease
  • Blood in semen
  • Painless rash (e.g., redness, tiny bumps, sore) that has been present more than 24 hours
  • Antibiotic treatment longer than 3 days for STD (e.g., penile discharge from gonorrhea, chlamydia) and painful urination is not improving
  • All other penis symptoms (exception: painless rash present less than 24 hours, mild itchiness)

Self care at home if:

  • Painless rash (e.g., redness, tiny bumps, sore) that has been present less than 24 hours, and you don't think you need to be seen
  • Mild itchiness and no rash, and you don't think you need to be seen
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HOME CARE ADVICE

  • Causes of Mild Rash:
    • Irritation from a chemical product: perfumed soaps, latex condoms
    • Irritation from a plant (e.g., poison ivy), chemicals (e.g., insecticides), fiberglass, detergents.
    • Early finding of sexually transmitted disease (STD)
    • Small friction burns can occur from intercourse (if inadequate lubrication.)
  • Cleansing: Wash the area once thoroughly with unscented soap and water to remove any irritants.
  • Genital Hygiene:
    • Keep your penis and scrotal area clean. Wash once daily with un-scented soap and water
    • Keep your penis and scrotal area dry. Wear cotton underwear.
  • Call Your Doctor If:
    • Rash spreads or becomes worse
    • Rash lasts more than one day
    • Fever occurs.
    • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

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REFERENCES

  1. Burgher SW. Acute scrotal pain. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1998;16(4):781-809, vi.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-11):1-94.
  3. English JC 3rd. Dermatoses of the glans penis and prepuce. J Am Acad Dermatol.1997;37(1):1-24.
  4. Fazio L, Brock G. Erectile dysfunction: management update. CMAJ.2004; 170(9): 1429-37.
  5. Gresser U. Erectile dysfunction: comparison of efficacy and side effects of the PDE-5 inhibitors sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil--review of the literature. Eur J Med Res. 2002; 7(10): 435-46.
  6. Kodner C. Sexually transmitted infections in men. Prim Care. 2003; 30(1): 173-91.
  7. Montague DK, Jarow J, Broderick GA, Dmochowski RR, Heaton JP, Lue TF, Nehra A, Sharlip ID. Members of guideline update panel. American Urological Association guideline on the management of priapism. J Urol. 2003 Oct;170(4 Pt 1):1318-24.
  8. Montorsi F, et.al. Frequently asked questions about tadalafil for treating men with erectile dysfunction. J Men's Health Gend. 2005; 2(1); 141-157.
  9. Roberts RG. Evaluation of dysuria in men. Am Fam Physician. 1999;60(3):86-72.
  10. Rogers ZR. Priapism in sickle cell disease. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2005; 19(5): 917-28, viii.
  11. Rupke SJ. Fungal skin disorders. Prim Care. 2000;27(2):407-21.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

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