Diseases and Disorders of the Male phallus

December 13th, 2011, Posted by Roderick / Leave a comment

Diseases and disorder of the male phallus would lead to various adverse consequences. For example it would make it difficult to indulge in pleasurable intercourse with the partner which would in turn cause dissatisfaction to the female. This may also lead to end of kinship. In other cases it may also make it difficult or impossible to produce offspring. Some of the diseases and disorders of the male phallus are discussed in this article.

 

Priapism

Priapism is a condition that results in penile erections that last for prolonged periods of time and cannot be relieved by orgasm. It is not related to sexual arousal and is caused due to excess blood flow to the penile region and inadequate or deficient drainage.

It can be caused due to:

• Substance abuse or alcoholism
• Genital injury or trauma
• Antidepressants, hypertension medications and certain impotency medications such as Viagra
• Anesthesia
• Problems of the spinal cord
• Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and leukemia
• Penile injection therapy

Treatment of the condition involves:

• Blood drainage from penile using a needle
• A blood transfusion in the case of sickle cell anemia
• Medications to help shrink the blood vessels

 

Peyronie’s disease

It results in the formation of a lump or a scar in the upper or lower layers of the male phallus that contain the erectile tissue leading to the inflammation, irritation and reduction of elasticity of the affected area. This eventually results in bending of the penis during erections as well as pain and emotional distress.

Causes of peyronie’s disease are:

• The exact causes are not known but it may be caused due to penile injury
• Vasculitis or inflammation of the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels
• Connective tissue disorders that lead to thickening or hardening of the connective tissues
• A family history of Peyronie’s disease increases the risk

The treatment involves:

• The disease tends to disappear on its own in a few years
• Injecting medications to soften the affected area or intake of Vitamin E pills
• Surgery to correct the abnormalities or laser treatment

 

Balanitis

It results in inflammation of the foreskin and the tip or head of the penis and can lead to itching, pain, swelling, rashes, foul smelling discharge and redness.

Causes of balanitis are:

• It tends to occur more in uncircumcised men and children
• A poor hygiene that leads to the accumulation of bacteria, dust, dead skin and debris below the foreskin resulting in inflammation and irritation
• Diabetes, dermatitis or allergies, bacterial or yeast infections as well as sexually transmitted diseases can also lead to the development of balanitis.

Treatment for balanitis entails:

• Antibiotics or anti fungal medications
• In severe cases, a circumcision

 

Phimosis

• It results in increased tightening of the foreskin, preventing it from being pulled back
• Inflammation, injury, infection or balanitis may cause the condition
• Circumcision or other surgical procedures, manual exercises as well as certain topical medications can be used to treat phimosis

 

Paraphimosis

• The condition occurs when a retracted foreskin cannot return to its original position
• Erections, sexual activities or penile injuries can cause paraphimosis
• Treatment involves reduction of swelling, application of ice to the affected area, injections or circumcision.

 

Penile cancer

• It results in the growth of abnormal cells in the male reproductive organ
• HPV infections, accumulation of smegma, penis that is not circumcised, smoking, an increased age and treatment methods of psoriasis increases the risk to develop penile cancer
• Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and cryosurgery are some of the methods to treat penile cancer