When most people think about penis health, they think about sexually transmitted infections (S.T.I.s) and erectile dysfunction (E.D.) only. While these health issues can indeed affect the health of your penis, penile health is about so much more than that.
One thing you must know is that keeping your penis healthy is essential to keeping healthy. A healthy penis removes urine and allows you to enjoy sex and reproduce.
A healthy penis should be free of lesions, warts, and abnormal discharge.
Your health provider can sometimes get helpful clues about your health from problems you may have with your penis.
Penis health involves more than erections. Read on to find out more
What conditions affect penis health and function?
—Penis injury, swelling or pain: The foreskin and scrotum have susceptible skin which can become swollen, inflamed and painful after an injury. More rarely, the shaft or head of the penis can appear swollen because of fluid tracking down from the abdomen due to gravity.
—Erectile dysfunction: The inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.
—Priapism: This condition happens when your penis stays erect for longer than four hours. If this happens, you need to see a doctor right away.
—Decreased libido, a reduced desire for sex, is one you must watch out for.
—Penile fracture: You can fracture your penis if too much force is put on it while erecting, including during sex or when masturbating.
—Anorgasmia: If your penis suffers from this, you may be unable to achieve an orgasm despite adequate stimulation.
—Phimosis, which occurs when the foreskin cannot extend over the head of the penis
—Yeast infection can cause inflammation of the head of the penis (balanitis), a reddish rash, white patches on the penis, itching or burning, and a white discharge.
— Whenever you notice a foul odour from the penis or groin area, see the doctor immediately. This may be a sign of severe penile infection.
—Penile cancer is very serious and may begin as a blister on the foreskin, head or shaft of the penis. The blister then becomes a wart-like growth that discharges watery pus.
