Men with penis problems usually only seek medical attention if they have painful erections and/or difficulty with intercourse. However, there are five other conditions believed to be common in most males.
Peyronie's Disease
The most common and visible symptom of Peyronie's disease is an extreme curving of the penis when erect. Other symptoms include pain set off by hardened, cord-like legions in the penis. The legions experience hardening as a result of the formation of hard plaque on either the upper or lower side of the penis in layers containing erectile tissue. Inflammation caused by the plaque eventually develops into a full scar with hard and inflexible scar tissue.
A penis with Peyronie's disease will have an obvious bend in one direction, often with the angle of curvature in excess of 45 degrees. The extreme curvature of the penis can make sex difficult, and can result in serious pain during erection.
There is no need to worry about a curved penis unless the curve appeared suddenly, and/or your penis has experienced some sort of trauma.
Symptoms of Peyronie's Disease can develop over time or overnight. Overnight appearances are usually due to some sort of serious penile injury, but not always.
Treatment is available, but may include surgery.
Hypospadias
Males born with Hypospadias have a urethral opening on the underside of the shaft of their penis (the orifice or opening in a penis used for urination and ejaculation) rather than at the end. Hypospadias affects up to one out of every 400 to 500 infants, and about 10 percent of boys born with this defect may also have undescended testicles.
Surgery is most often performed before the child reaches school age and puberty. The surgery involves creating a tube to extend the urethra to the end of the penis. The original hole is most often left as is since the urethra now bypasses it. Although the penis has two holes, only one is functional. Otherwise it will be a normal functioning penis.
Priapism
Priapism is an involuntary prolonged or painful erection that can persist for hours or days, and is not associated with sexual arousal. It can occur at any age and is a true emergency with risks of subsequent impotency. Primary priapism is the result of trauma or infection. Secondary causes include sickle cell disease, spinal cord injury and stroke. Various medications can also contribute to this condition.
Phimosis
Phimosis refers to a tightening of the foreskin that prevents the full retraction of the foreskin from the head of the penis. There are two typical forms of Phimosis, infant Phimosis and acquired Phimosis.
An infant Phimosis has an easily recognizable tubular form. This is common and healthy in infants.
The adult, or acquired, Phimosis is a thin contour of skin tissue located towards the front of the inner foreskin that narrows the opening of the foreskin. A phimotic ring can make retraction of the foreskin over and behind the glans impossible, painful and/or difficult, and the foreskin may even get stuck behind the glans. This condition is often treated by circumcision, although there are less extreme procedures depending upon the degree of Phimosis. For 'simple' Phimosis, stretching of the foreskin may be a method for treatment. Steroids and surgery are other options.
Large Penis Veins
It's normal for men to have prominent veins on their penis. For some men, the appearance or change in color of veins is a result of poorly functioning valves in their testicles.
Ask Your Physician
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult a urologist.
For more information on penis problems, see our additional information on urethritis, premature ejaculation and male yeast infection.
