Let's talk about your male sexual health? Penile Disorders

Have you ever noticed a change, pain, or discomfort in your penis and been afraid or embarrassed to talk about it? Many people find it difficult to talk about problems in such sensitive areas. However, today we are going to talk about various diseases that can affect the penis in men (Penile Disorders). It is very important to be aware of these, because if detected early, many things have good treatments.

What is a penis? Let's learn a little more!

Simply put, the penis is the external part of a man's urinary and reproductive system. It has three main parts:

• Root: This is not visible to us from the outside. It is located inside our perineum (the area between the anus and the genitals). This root contains the tissue that helps you get an erection when you have sex, as well as the muscles that help you expel urine and ejaculate through the urethra.
• Body or Shaft: This is the part that hangs down like a tube. Inside this is the special tissue that helps the penis grow. These are just two tubes running along the top of the penis (the corpora cavernosa), and one running along the bottom (the corpus spongiosum), and this is also where the urethra is located. When you get an erection, the thousands of tiny spaces inside these chambers fill with blood.
• Glans Penis or Head: This is the tip of the penis. This is where the urethral meatus, where urine and semen exit the body, is located. Most boys are born with a covering of skin called the foreskin. However, some parents remove the foreskin after the baby is born, which is called circumcision.

The skin on the penis is very elastic, which is why the size of the penis can change during erection.

What diseases affect the penis?

When we talk about diseases that affect the penis, we mean conditions that can affect your ability to have sex or urinate normally. There are many different diseases. Let's take a look at a few of them.

Priapism

What happens is that your penis becomes erect, and the blood doesn't flow back out of your penis and gets stuck. Imagine, without any sexual stimulation, your penis becomes erect, and that erection doesn't subside for four hours or more. This can be a very painful condition. This is a condition that requires emergency medical attention, because if left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to the penis.

Penile Fracture

This may sound a bit scary, but what actually happens is that when a penis that is still erect is bent too hard or hit somewhere, a strong membrane called the ``tunica albuginea`` inside it tears. This membrane is the one that surrounds the blood-filled chambers called the ``corpora cavernosa`` mentioned earlier.When this ruptures, there is a "pop" sound, followed by severe pain and loss of consciousness. There may be bruising or blood in the urine. This is also a condition that requires emergency medical treatment, usually surgery.

Peyronie's Disease

This is when scar tissue (plaque) builds up inside the soft tissue of the penis, causing the penis to shrink, bend, or lose length. This scar tissue often develops after an injury to the soft tissue, but not always. If the shrinking of the penis is not painful or uncomfortable, treatment may not be necessary. However, there are treatments, medications, and surgery for severe cases.

Balanitis

This is an inflammation of the glans penis, which means it becomes swollen and red. It is most common in men with a foreskin. This is because the warm, moist environment between the glans and the foreskin is a perfect place for yeast and bacteria to grow. Most often, this is caused by yeast and bacteria. This can usually be treated with antifungal creams or antibiotics. The best way to prevent this is to keep the area clean and dry.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

This is what many people know as the inability to get or keep an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. It is more common in men over the age of 40. It can also be a symptom of another underlying medical condition. For example, it can be caused by a problem with the blood vessels that supply blood to the body's tissues, including the penis. Other causes include:

• Injuries to the penis or the surrounding area.
• Conditions that affect the functioning of the nervous system or hormones.
• Some prescription medications and other drugs.
• Mental and emotional problems.

There are many treatments for ED, including medications, various therapies, and devices.

Ejaculation Disorders

These are problems that affect the way sperm is released from the body during sexual activity. There are three main types:

• Premature Ejaculation: This is when you or your partner ejaculate before you want them to, such as right after you start having sex.
• Delayed Ejaculation: This is when you take a long time to ejaculate during sexual intercourse, even if you want to.
• Retrograde ejaculation: In this case, during ejaculation, semen goes backwards into the bladder instead of coming out through the urethra.

There can be many different causes for these ejaculation disorders. Some can be psychological, some can be neurological. But there are treatments for all conditions. Treatments range from making lifestyle changes, talking to a sex therapist, changing medications, or starting over.

Phimosis

This is when your foreskin is too tight to pull back from the glans. This is normal in babies and young children (physiological phimosis). But as you get older, it should loosen. It can also be caused by certain skin conditions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and injuries (pathological phimosis). Normal phimosis often doesn't require treatment. Phimosis caused by a medical condition can be treated with corticosteroid creams, gentle pulling of the foreskin, surgery, or circumcision.

Paraphimosis

This is when your foreskin retracts and can no longer be pulled back to cover the glans penis. This is a medical emergency! This can cut off blood flow to the penis and cause permanent damage. A doctor may make a small incision in the foreskin to relieve pressure and help pull the foreskin back in. Or, they may recommend circumcision.

Penile Cancer

This is a relatively rare type of cancer. It most often starts in the glans or foreskin of the penis. Doctors and researchers aren't exactly sure what causes penile cancer. But there are several risk factors:

• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): HPV is a virus. There are more than 100 types, about 30 of which can affect the genitals, including the penis.
• Smoking: Smoking, using other types of tobacco, and vaping increase the risk of developing cancer.
• Smegma: This is a thick, white substance that accumulates under the foreskin. When it accumulates, it can cause irritation and inflammation in the area, increasing the risk of cancer.

Doctors most often recommend surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy as treatments for penile cancer.

What are the common symptoms of penile diseases?

Be concerned if you notice any of these changes in your penis:

• Any changes to the skin of the penis – rashes, sores, wart-like bumps.
• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Color change (red, white, gray, or purple).
• A rash on the skin.
• Pain when urinating (dysuria).
• Difficulty urinating.
• Bleeding from the penis.
• Blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Blood in the semen (hematospermia).
• The penis becomes erect without any stimulation.
• Inability to completely empty the bladder (urinary retention).
• Changes in the way semen is released.

How to heal damage to the penis?

Treatment for penile injuries depends on the cause and severity of the injury. Minor injuries may heal without treatment. However, more serious injuries may require surgery. A doctor will explain your treatment options to you so you can make an informed decision.

How are penile function problems treated?

It also depends on the condition you have and its severity. Common treatments include:

• A "wait-and-watch" approach for asymptomatic conditions.
• Oral medication.
• Medicine given as an injection.
• Skin care products (creams or gels).
• Psychotherapy (or talk therapy) with a sex therapist.
• Surgery.
• Chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy.

What are the symptoms of not keeping the penis clean properly?

Regularly washing the penis and the surrounding area with soap and drying it thoroughly can help prevent:

• Smegma: This is a thick, white or yellowish, cheesy-looking substance that often collects under the foreskin. It is made up of oils, dead skin cells, sweat, and other fluids.
• Odor: Sweat, body odor, smegma, bacteria, and infections can cause a bad smell from the penis.
• Skin rash: Skin rash can cause itchy, painful, flaky , and discolored skin.
• Things like threads from clothes: Small pieces of thread from clothes can accumulate.

Remember: It's very important to stay clean. Especially if you have a foreskin, you should pull it back, wash the glans and the area around it, and dry it thoroughly.

What happens if you have a penile disorder?

Erectile dysfunction can make you feel a variety of emotions. Many people feel embarrassed and ashamed when they experience symptoms in this sensitive part of their body. However, there are treatments for many erectile dysfunctions. The sooner you see a doctor, the better your condition can be.

Can erectile dysfunction be prevented?

Not all penile disorders can be prevented, but following these tips can reduce the risk of some disorders:

• Use condoms every time you have sex.
• Get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) regularly. Make sure a new partner gets tested for STIs before having sex with them for the first time.
• Wash the penis and the surrounding area with soap regularly. If you have a foreskin, clean and dry the area thoroughly.
• Stay away from things that cause allergies and skin rashes.
• When playing certain sports, wear a protective cover (athletic cup) to prevent injury to the penis.
• Follow healthy lifestyle habits – like eating well, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight that suits you.
• Stop smoking.
• Use medication as prescribed by a doctor.
• Avoid accidents during sex – use lubricants, use caution when inserting the penis, and be careful when changing positions.

When should you see a doctor?

If you notice any changes in your penis, such as pain, discomfort, skin changes, changes in vitality, changes in the way you ejaculate or urinate, or changes in your libido, see a doctor right away. Don't be shy about talking about these things, because doctors see these things all the time, and they are there to help you.

When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If you have any of these symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room immediately:

• If you hear a loud "thud" sound from your penis during sex or masturbation.
• A sharp, severe pain in the penis.
• A vitality that does not diminish for more than four hours.
• Pain or burning when urinating.
• Bloody urine.
• Discolored or foul-smelling discharge from the penis.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

You can ask these questions when you see the doctor:

• What kind of penis disorder do I have?
• What is the cause of my penile disorder?
• What treatment do you recommend for my condition?
• How long will it take for me to recover?
• Will I have any long-term complications?
• Will I have to see the doctor again?
• Is there anything else I can do to reduce my symptoms?

Things to Remember (Take-Home Message)

Many people find it difficult to talk about problems in sensitive areas of their bodies. The penis is one such area. But if you have symptoms that affect your penis, don't be ashamed. There are treatments for many erectile dysfunction conditions. But in many cases, it's essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you see a doctor about your erectile dysfunction symptoms, the sooner you can get an accurate diagnosis and get better. Taking care of your health is your responsibility, so don't be afraid or ashamed to seek medical advice.

` Penile diseases, men's health, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders, sexual health, balanitis, phimosis