Introduction
A penis is part of a man’s body. It is one of the parts of his reproductive system which is very crucial. Normally, it has three parts: the glans, the shaft and the root. The glans is shaped like a cone while the root attaches to the abdominal wall. At the tip of the glans is the urethra which is a tube that transports urine and semen. The penis’s body is shaped cylindrically and it has 3 chambers internally. The chambers are made of special, spongy erectile tissues. When the penis is filled with blood, it becomes erect and rigid. This allows it to penetrate the vagina of a woman during intercourse. Its skin is elastic and loose in order to accommodate for it to change its size when a male gets an erection. Sperms are the male reproductive cells and are contained in semen. The sperms are released from the tip of the penis when the male reaches climax. This is what is referred to as an orgasm. However, the penis can acquire certain disorders or penis diseases which will be explained later.
Common penis diseases
Here is a list of some of the common penis diseases and their possible history.
- Priapism - It is a painful erection which does not go away fast. It can last several hours or days.
History - Alcohol or drug abuse, medication like antidepressants and blood pressure medicine, problems of the Spinal cord, injured genitals, anesthesia, penile injection therapy, blood diseases, sickle cell anemia and leukemia. - Peyronie’s - It is a disorder in which a hard lump or a plaque, forms itself on the penis.
History - Heredity, vacuities, connective tissue disorders, dermatitis/allergy, infection like Candida. - Balanitis - It is a skin inflammation that covers the head of the penis.
History - Not being circumcised (had their foreskin surgically removed), and Poor hygiene, not washing the penis regularly, diabetes and persistent inflammation. - Phimosis - Phimosis occurs when the fore skin of the penis is too tight for it to be pulled back.
History - Phimosis is common at birth, infection, scar tissue due to an injury. - Penile cancer - It occurs when abnormal cells in the penis divide and grow uncontrolled.
History - Not being Circumcised, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, smoking, smegma, phimosis, treatment for psoriasis and age.
Common symptoms of penis diseases
- Abnormal bleeding and discharge from the penis and sores.
- Sores on the penis.
- Penile pain or discomfort.
- Painful blisters or scabs on the penis.
- Brown flecks on the hair around the penis.
- Discharge from the penis.
Treatment
These penis diseases and disorders should be prevented if they can but incase occur, there is treatment for each.
- Priapism: Treatment for priapism is aimed at relieving the erection and preserving the penile function. The treatment involves draining the blood in the penis by using a needle which is placed inside the penis. A patient can also make use of medication that helps him decrease flow of blood in the penis or shrink the blood vessels. Surgery in this case is rare, unless necessary. If the condition has been brought about by sickle cell anemia, blood transfusion may be important.
- Peyronie penis diseases: Treatment of these penis diseases involves either of these two surgical techniques. One of them involves removing the plague and placing a patch of artificial material or skin later. The second one involves pinching the tissue sideways to cancel out the effect. This second method causes a shortening of the penis that was erect. A patient can also be injected with medication right into the plaque to try and make the affected tissue to soften. A penile implant can also be used in the case where the Peyronie’s disease has had an effect on the man’s ability to have and maintain an erection.
- Balanitis: Treatment for this disease depends on what has caused it. If it is because of an infection, antibiotics or antifungal medication are used. Circumcision is recommended when the inflammation is persistent. To avoid, one is supposed to maintain proper hygiene and not use very strong soaps.
- Phimosis: Treatment of phimosis includes gently stretching the foreskin for some time. Te foreskin an also be made loose by applying medication on the penis. Removal of the foreskin is also used to treat the disease. There is also another proceuder referred to as preputioplasty which involves separating the foareskin from the glans.
- Penile cancer: A doctor may take out the cancer using one of the following operations:
- Wide local excision
- Microsurgery
- Laser surgery
- Circumcision
- Amputation of the penis
