Penis disorders are common and may lead to serious complications if left untreated, including scarring and impotence. To prevent these complications, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. A specialist can identify the problem and prescribe the proper treatment.
This kind of disorder can be embarrassing, frustrating, and even painful. If you’re experiencing a penis disorder, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that there are ways to treat and manage your condition.
Table of Contents
Here are some of the most common penis disorders and ways to identify and treat them:
1. Pearly Penile Papules
Pearly penile papules (PPP) are a benign condition that affects the head of the penis. They’re small, white bumps that can be found on the corona or ridge around the head of the penis.
PPP can sometimes cause itching or pain, but most men who have it feel no symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they may include:
- Lumps in the same area that may be red or irritated
- Itching or irritation in the area around your genitals
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- Discharge from the bumps
Treatment for pearly penile papules is usually unnecessary unless they cause pain or discomfort. Treatments include the following:
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Home Remedies:
- You may consider using a PPP kit stated on some reputable sites. You may also try a topical cream containing salicylic acid or lactic acid for two to three weeks. Alternatively, you may apply a light coating of wart remover containing salicylic acid or 20% liquid nitrogen once a week for up to six weeks. If you’re unsure about trying home remedies, you may see your doctor about other options.
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Laser Therapy:
- This treatment uses an intense beam of light to remove skin cells from the head of your penis. It’s generally effective at removing pearly penile papules but can be expensive and take several sessions to complete.
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Electrosurgery:
- An electric current is used to burn off the top layer of skin to remove pearly penile papules. This method is less expensive than laser therapy but requires multiple sessions and may cause scarring if done incorrectly.
Pearly penile papules may be confused with other skin conditions, such as genital warts. However, most doctors can tell the difference between these two conditions by just looking at them.
2. Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a condition that causes the penis to develop a plaque or scar tissue on its shaft. The plaque can make it painful for a man to have sex and cause an erection to curve or bend.
The plaque develops when the tissue in the penis becomes damaged, creating scar tissue. This scarring makes the penis less flexible, so it can’t straighten out completely during an erection.
The symptoms of PD may include:
- Pain during sex or erection
- Curvature of the penis that makes your erection uneven, curved, or bent toward your body
- Scar tissue on the penis that restricts blood flow and makes erections painful and difficult to achieve
Treatment for Peyronie’s disease includes the following:
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Medication:
- Oral medications that reduce inflammation may help improve pain and curvature. If the curvature is severe, surgery may be needed to correct it.
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Surgery:
- A procedure called plaque incision and grafting, also called penile prosthesis implantation, may be used if oral medications don’t work or if your curvature is severe. This procedure involves cutting away scar tissue and placing a silicone implant in its place to straighten the penis.
The exact cause of Peyronie’s disease isn’t known at this time, but there seems to be a link between trauma or injury to your penis, such as getting injured during sex, and developing Peyronie’s disease.
3. Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. While it can be embarrassing and difficult to talk about, you shouldn’t let embarrassment stop you from seeking treatment.
ED can have a physical cause, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or problems with blood vessels in the penis. It can also have psychological causes, such as a poor relationship with your partner or too much stress.
Symptoms of ED include:
- Not being able to get an erection at all
- Having difficulty getting an erection firm enough for vaginal penetration
- Being unable to maintain an erection long enough to have sex
Here are some of the most common treatments for ED:
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Viagra:
- This medication is the most commonly prescribed drug for erectile dysfunction. It works by helping the blood vessels relax and dilate, allowing more blood flow into the penis to cause an erection.
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Cialis:
- Similar to Viagra, Cialis increases blood flow to the penis, helping cause an erection. The main difference between the two drugs is that Cialis lasts longer than Viagra.
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Levitra:
- Levitra works like Viagra and Cialis by relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the penis for an erection. It also lasts longer than Viagra.
If your condition is psychogenic or due to psychological factors, your doctor may recommend therapy or medication to help treat the underlying condition causing your symptoms.
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Final Thoughts
If you or someone you know is experiencing a penis disorder, don’t panic.
A medical specialist will tell you that there are many ways to treat these disorders. They will also be able to identify what’s causing the problem, so you can get the help you need.
Penis disorders don’t have to be as scary as they seem. With the proper treatment, you’ll have them under control in no time.