Penis is just like any other body part which can get infected and swell. Penis swelling is just a symptom that is most often hinting at an underlying medical condition that should be treated. Penis swelling can be just the swelling of the head of the penis (glans) or just the foreskin or both the foreskin and the glans. Following are certain conditions which can make the penis to swell.
- Balanitis
- Urethritis
- Priapism
- Paraphimosis
- Posthitis
- Peyronie’s disease
- Balanoposthitis
- Allergic reaction to chemicals
- Penile Cancer
Balanitis
Balanitis refers to the inflammation of glans of the penis. Most often it is caused due to fungal infection and rarely due to bacteria. If the penis and the foreskin is not kept in good hygiene, that can promote the growth of fungus. Just make sure that you use mild soap with no strong chemicals to clean the genitals. Balanitis can also be caused due to the strong chemicals used in making soaps, condoms, delay sprays, spermicides etc. Injury to the penis or its foreskin, diabetes can also promote the growth of germs that can lead to penis swelling.
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Urethritis
Inflammation of urethra (the pipe that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body) is most often caused due to sexually transmitted infection. When the urethra is swollen, it can show the following symptoms:
- Pain and burning sensation while having sex or urinating.
- Whitish-yellow discharge.
- Urge to urinate.
Priapism
Many men don’t want to lose erection after ejaculating. Did you know that some men don’t and they just have the erection for hours? Before you say ‘wow’, let us tell you that it could be an emergency medical condition called Priapism. The prolonged erection can happen even with stimulation or even after ejaculating after having sex. If your erection lasts for more than 4 hours, just admit yourself in an emergency room of a good hospital near you.
Paraphimosis
People who have tight foreskin find it difficult to move it smoothly to and fro on an erect penis. Sometimes, the foreskin may get stuck behind the head of the erect penis and may not retrace onto the head. This condition can lead to swelling of the penis head and is called ‘paraphimosis’. If you are suffering from tight foreskin, you should consider getting rid of it through circumcision. Paraphimosis can cause severe pain, discomfort, redness and swelling of the penis glans.
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Posthitis
An overgrowth of fungus under the foreskin can lead to its swelling. Such a condition is called Posthitis. This is often a result of improper hygiene. The foreskin may become red, tender to touch and the person may feel that it’s tight.
You need to wash your penis glans and the foreskin every time you take a shower or bath everyday. Oil and smegma can build up under the foreskin when not cleaned properly that can even lead to penile cancer.
Peyronie’s disease
Unusual bending of the penis due to the growth of scar tissue on the shaft of the penis is called Peyronie’s disease. Men suffering from too much bending of penis may have severe pain when the penis is erect and may not be able to have sex. Some men may even suffer from erectile dysfunction. Injury to the penis, autoimmune diseases or problems in the connective tissue (frenulum etc) can result in growth of scar tissue that can bend the penis unusually, even at right angles.
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Balanoposthitis
Balanitis + Posthitis = Balanoposthitis. Swelling of penis glans and the foreskin is called balanoposthitis. This can lead to discharge of fluids, stinking of penis, itching and redness.
Allergic reaction to chemicals
You need to watchout what your skin is allergic to before using any soap, cleaning agent, condom or delay spray etc. There may be some chemicals that may not suit your skin and can lead to inflammation or swelling of penis skin or the penis glans.
Try to use soaps with natural ingredients and mild chemicals to avoid irritation of skin and allergic reaction. Refrain from too much washing of genitals. That can also lead to foreskin irritation.
Penile Cancer
Penile cancer is rare but the odds are not zero. Improper hygiene can lead to deposition of body oils, dirt, and smegma under the foreskin of the penis. This can harbour growth of different types of fungus and bacteria and occasionally turn into tumour. Following are the symptoms of penile cancer:
- Thickening of the foreskin
- Inflammation
- Feeling of lump under the foreskin
- Foul smelling discharge
- In some cases, bleeding can also happen.
More on penile cancer
Conclusion
Don’t panic if you see that your penis glans is swollen. If you see that your penis glans or skin is swelling more often, opt for circumcision after consulting with a good sexologist near you. Removing the foreskin of the penis can save you from a handful of medical conditions and also ‘might’ help a little in controlling premature ejaculation. If you are having very long erections, just get admitted to the emergency room as said. Clean and good penis can help you stay healthy and active in bed. Remember, most kinds of penis swellings are treatable.
