3 Penis Problems That Effect Sexual Health

There are several disorders that can have serious effects on the male penis, each impacting the sexual health of men suffering from them. This article will discuss 3 penis problems and what can be done to treat them effectively.

These disorders are called Peyronie's Disease, Priapism and Penile Cancer.

What Is Peyronie's Disease?

The actual cause of Peyronie's disease is still unknown. If the disorder develops rapidly, it will last only a short duration and quickly goes away without any clinical treatments. On the other hand, if the disorder develops slowly, it will probably require surgery to resolve.

Peyronie's disease is essentially, a condition of the penis that is characterized by a hard lump or a plaque forming outwardly. The plaque can form on the upper or lower sides of the penis, but always where the layers of erectile tissues reside. This hard lump causes swelling, irritation and eventually develops into a hardened scars. This scarring causes the penis to become less elastic, in the areas affected. As the scarring becomes harder, it reduces flexibility painfully and causes unnatural bending of the penis during an erection.

Peyronie's disease may be treated with prescription drugs, penile implants, surgical methods or laser therapy. Most physicians will advise patients to wait for 1 to 2 years before attempting any corrective surgery, since many cases of the disorder disappear within 6 months.

What Is Priapism?

When blood flow to the penis doesn't get proper drainage, this is called priapism. It is becoming more common in this century. The disorder is characterized by a constant, painful and unintentional erection that lasts over 4 hours. Generally, this condition is not preceded by sexual intercourse or having an orgasm.

Priapism has a number of root causes. These common causes include injury to the genitals, an undiscovered blood disease like leukemia, spinal problems, medications for blood pressure, using antidepressants, drug abuse and alcoholism. Occasionally priapism occurs due to local anesthesia or penile injection therapy.

Priapism must be treated immediately, if a person has this condition, seek medical attention. A extremely prolonged erection will scar the penis itself, possibly resulting in erectile dysfunction or other complications. The most common treatment involves using a needle to drain the penis of excess blood. Once blood flow has returned to a normal level, the penis will return to normal again. Treatment of the underlying conditions that causes the condition will be necessary.

What Is Penile Cancer?

A very rare form of cancer can happen to the penis, this cancerous growth causes abnormal cell structures to divide within the member itself. These tumors can become penile cancer, even if they are benign. The cause of penis cancer is still unknown.

Sores on the penis, discharge from under the foreskin, and abnormal bleeding are symptomatic of having penile cancer. Certain risk factors have been identified for penile cancer, as well. These include smoking cigarettes, age factors, being uncircumcised, Smegma, phimosis, being treated for psoriasis and having HPV or the Human Papilloma Virus. To have one or more of these risk factors, makes the chances of contracting penile cancer much greater.

Penile cancer usually requires surgery. The necessary treatment maybe more or less invasive, but it depends on when the cancerous growths get diagnosed. The earlier cancer gets diagnosed in any form, the better the patient's chances of recovery, remission and survival. Penile cancer in extreme cases can require amputation of the male genitals. Other methods include local extractions, cryosurgery, microsurgery, laser treatment or performing a standard circumcision.

If you or someone you know suffers from any of these conditions, advise them to get to a hospital for medical care immediately. It could save their life and their overall male sexual health.