Sores on the penis can indicate various causes, such as trauma, herpes, balanoposthitis, or penile cancer. However, the correct diagnosis depends on a urologist, who will analyze the characteristics of the lesion and request tests, then recommend the appropriate treatment. Learn more.
1) Trauma and microtraumas post-intercourse
It is possible that, after vigorous or inadequately lubricated sex, traumas and microtraumas may appear on the penis. Generally, these problems are temporary and can be treated simply.
How to identify
In most cases, injuries that appear immediately after sexual intercourse tend to be superficial and appear as scratches, cuts, or mild abrasions on the penis skin.
Symptoms
Along with the sores, a man may notice redness, swelling, pain, and discomfort in the affected area.
Causes
Excessive friction, accidental blows, abrupt movements, or inadequate lubrication can cause injuries after sexual intercourse.
Treatments
Treatment can vary from local care, such as rest and application of healing ointments, to prescribed medications for infections or specific skin conditions, if the case worsens.
It may also be recommended to avoid sexual relations until the sore is completely healed.
2) Skin irritation
The skin of the penis can become irritated due to various factors, including friction, allergies to chemicals, or fungal or bacterial infections. If the irritation persists or worsens, it is advisable to seek medical guidance.
How to identify
Generally, these sores on the penis manifest mainly with redness. However, in more severe cases, they can evolve into open and painful ulcers.
Symptoms
The lesions on the penis may be accompanied by inflammation, redness, swelling, burning, pain, and discomfort in the affected area.
Causes
Men who already have some type of sensitivity or allergy in contact with materials such as latex from a condom, for example, may end up with minor injuries. Conditions such as contact dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis can leave the penis prone to injuries.
Treatments
Mild cases require treatments to relieve symptoms and promote healing, such as washing and drying the area, using healing ointments, and wearing comfortable clothes. Avoiding contact with irritating substances is essential.
In severe cases, it may be necessary to resort to antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medications, as well as invest in care for hygiene and healing.
In both situations, sexual rest is recommended until full recovery.
3) Penile cancer
Penile cancer is a serious condition that occurs when cells of the organ begin to grow abnormally and out of control. Learn how to identify:
How to identify
This type of sore on the penis can start small and gradually increase, as well as worsen, becoming persistent lesions or ulcers that do not heal and are painful.
Symptoms
The lesions represent a serious sign of this disease in the penis, which also presents symptoms in this area, such as changes in skin color, skin thickening, appearance of nodules, pain, bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
Causes
Penile cancer is associated with risk factors such as HPV, lack of proper hygiene, smoking, phimosis, balanitis, and conditions that cause chronic irritation of the penis skin.
Treatments
The treatment depends on the stage of the disease, the location of the tumor, and the health of the patient.
It can be done with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy. In about 25% of penile cancer cases in Brazil between 2012 and 2022, according to the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU), amputation of the member was necessary.
4) Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a viral infection, usually transmitted through sexual contact. After the first contact, the virus can remain in the body in an inactive state and reactivate periodically, causing recurrent outbreaks.
There is no cure for this sexually transmitted disease, but medications help reduce the frequency and severity of herpes.
How to identify
The sore on the penis due to genital herpes manifests as small clustered blisters or ulcers, which may burst and form crusts.
In addition to the penis, they may be present on the scrotum, anus, and around the genital area.
Symptoms
The men with this disease on the penis will feel some discomfort in the region before the lesions appear. Common symptoms include itching, tingling, or pain.
In addition, the lymph nodes in the groin are swollen, there may be pain during urination and during sexual intercourse.
Causes
Herpes is an STI, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Transmission mainly occurs through direct contact with an infected person, whether during vaginal, anal, or oral sex without protection.
The virus can be transmitted even when there are no visible symptoms. This complicates preventing the spread of the disease and reinforces the need to use a condom.
Treatments
There is no cure for cases of herpes.
Available treatments, made with antivirals, aim to alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of recurrences.
The patient may also need painkillers in case of pain.
5) Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, it can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person. It can progress and cause serious complications when not diagnosed and treated.
How to identify
In the initial stage of the disease, the man encounters a fissure on the penis, anus, or even mouth. Generally, this injury does not cause pain and, therefore, tends to be ignored by men.
Symptoms
As the disease progresses, skin rashes may appear, including on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. They may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and muscle pain.
In its most severe stage, if untreated, syphilis can lead to complications such as damage to internal organs, neurological problems, and cardiovascular issues.
Causes
Syphilis is considered an STI, transmitted by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, during unprotected contact with an infected person.
Treatments
The treatment for syphilis is done with an antibiotic. The choice of medication will depend on the stage of syphilis and the presence of allergies.
If not treated, the disease leads to serious complications that can reduce a man’s health and quality of life.
6) Balanoposthitis
Balanoposthitis is an inflammation that affects the head of the penis and the foreskin in uncircumcised men. Derived from bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, the disease is curable and can be primarily treated with creams.
How to identify
Balanoposthitis usually does not manifest with a sore on the penis. If it does, we are talking about a severe case of the disease.
In these cases, ulcers, blisters, or erosions may occur in the affected area.
Symptoms
Balanoposthitis causes redness, swelling, and irritation in the glans and foreskin. There may be the presence of abnormal secretion under the foreskin.
It is common for these symptoms to cause itching and pain or sensitivity during urination and at the moment H.
The patient also begins to have difficulty retracting the foreskin.
Causes
Balanoposthitis is an infection of bacterial, fungal (such as candidiasis), or viral origin, which may evolve from balanitis.
Men who do not perform proper hygiene of the penis, who use products not indicated for the region, or who have allergies to items of personal hygiene products or to topical medications are more prone to developing the disease.
Treatments
The treatment of balanoposthitis depends on the cause of the condition.
Topical or oral antibiotics and antifungals, for example, can be prescribed. If irritation due to the use of products is identified, avoiding the irritating agent can be an effective treatment.
It is also recommended to intensify hygiene care, and if the problem is recurrent, circumcision surgery may be an indicated treatment.
Is it common for sores to appear on the penis?
If you are a healthy man, having a sore on the penis is not common.
Sometimes, they may be associated with minor accidents at the moment H, and, in this case, they do not raise concerns.</p
How long do sores and injuries take to disappear?
The time it takes for lesions to disappear will depend on the cause, severity, and effectiveness of the treatment.
Minor sores may heal in a few days or, at most, a week.
However, more concerning cases may result in persistent sores that take one to two weeks, even with appropriate treatment, to heal completely.
There are also cases of recurrent sores, which take much longer to resolve.
When to seek medical help?
Sores on the penis that last longer than normal or are associated with other worrying symptoms require medical assistance.
Generally, a sore on the penis can, indeed, represent a more serious condition that requires specific treatment. Therefore, it is essential to seek a urologist promptly in order to have the evaluation and appropriate treatment.
By seeking help early, the patient has more chances of accessing care that will treat the disease as early as possible without impacts to their quality of life.
Therefore, do not hesitate to contact us in case of changes in the penis – including deformities such as curvatures, thinning, and reduction in size.
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