Painful Erection | Symptoms Causes and Treatment

Erection is common when a person is sexually stimulated. But, if this erection comes along with the pain it is something you have to concern about. A painful erection is a hint of some disease or injury you are having but presumably unconscious of.

It is not always serious and the pain fades away almost immediately.

But, if it happens over and over again, it ultimately points out to be a serious issue. Well, there are a few diseases and infections that cause penis pain. And, I will discuss them plus how they can be treated.

What Causes Pain in the Penis?

As already mentioned, penis pain happens because of some disease or injury linked to the penis. It is time to get a little deeper and understand how it happens.

And, also have some safety measures to avoid its recurrence.

Honestly, if you follow a healthy lifestyle, you are unlikely to have such problems. And, even when you want to stop its recurrence, work for the betterment of your lifestyle.

In general, having sexual intercourse for longer than usual or often can also result in penis pain but it is always momentary. So, it is better to be patient and understand your state before starting any treatment.

Peyronie’s Disease

This disease happens when scar tissue produces a plaque that grows on the base or top of the penis. This plaque is thick and hard so when a person is sexually stimulated, it results from pain while it is erected.

You must have a question – Why does scar tissue build such plaque?

It is because such a person might have Immune System Disorder (ISD) or got his penis injured several times. Disease like ISD reduces injury recovery to an immense level. Hence, if an injury happens in the penis, its negative effect exaggerates too much.

And, because of no healing push from the immune, the injury becomes a serious disease.

Well, if you want to know whether you are suffering from this health issue or not, you can look for its symptoms. If you notice such symptoms, better consult your doctor and start with treatment.

Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease are;

• Sudden erectile dysfunction
• Pain while erection
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Twist in penis

A study in 2021 found that 36.7% of men with Peyronie’s disease experience penile pain, with 65.2% reporting pain during erections, indicating a significant impact on their quality of life.

Balanitis

Balanitis happens because of the inflammation on the head of the penis. This inflammation is the result of not having circumcision, diabetes, obesity or using chemical soaps on the penis.

Well, the treatment of this health problem is quite simple. All you have to do is to intake antibiotics on a regular basis for some time. And, this disease will be gone.

If you need over-the-counter medication, you can try candida dusting powder or clotrimazole cream. And, it is necessary to avoid sex without a condom. The inflammation may spread to the partner as well if you are not using a condom.

Balanitis’s symptoms are;

• Painful urination after erection
• Inflammation and itchiness
• Tight and shiny skin on glands
• Swollen glands close to the penis

Well, if you want to avoid its recurrence, maintain your hygiene, eat healthily, and stay hydrated. Having a good lifestyle will also help you stay away from many other health issues.

So, it is never a bad deal.

A 2020 study indicates that balanoposthitis, inflammation of both the glans and the foreskin, is common among uncircumcised males, highlighting the importance of hygiene to prevent infections.

Additionally, a 2022 report discusses balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO), characterized by whitish patches on the glans, which may require surgical interventions like circumcision in severe cases.

Priapism

It causes a long erection without any sexual stimulation. This disease makes the penis pretty painful.

The reason why this health condition arises is frequent injuries to the penis. It includes injuries to the spinal cord or genitals. This problem might also happen because of pelvic health conditions and sickle cell disease.

The symptoms of priapism are;

• An erection lasting longer than 4 hours
• Pain in the middle of shaft
• Redness and itchiness on penis

If you consider Priapism, you will also realize that it will harm the penis because of the long erection. While erection, the bloodstream locks in the penis and keep it erected. But, if it happens for longer than usual, it will come up as the blood blockage to the penis.

Well, if you are looking for its solution, you better consult your doctor. This disease can lead to some serious health problems if ignored.

Research highlights that ischemic priapism is a urological emergency that can result in irreversible erectile dysfunction if not treated promptly. 

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STI happens because of having sexual interaction with an infected. You might not even realize when its infection passes on to you. Initially, it does not even show any symptoms. Its effects start showing up with mild pain in the penis. And, it gradually increases and becomes worse to worsen.

Many people ask “Can gonorrhea cause painful erections?” and the answer is yes. Gonorrhea is a kind of STIs thus causes a painful erection.

The only way to avoid STIs is to avoid frequent sexual intercourse and sex without a condom. You can use antibiotics to treat these infections or consult a doctor for appropriate medication.

Some symptoms of STIs are;

• Rashes
• Pain while urinating
• Sore on penis
• Unusual bleeding

You should never ignore if you notice any symptom of STIs. And, immediately discuss symptoms with your doctor to initiate treatment. STIs might also spread to your partner through sexual intercourse. Hence, it is better to evade sex during the treatment or use a condom.

Research from the National Cancer Institute shows STIs can be transmitted through bodily fluids during sexual activity and sharing needles. 

A study published in PMC indicates that young individuals, especially those aged 16 to 24, are at higher risk for STIs due to unprotected sex and multiple partners. 

The WHO has identified priorities for STIs, emphasizing the need for affordable, rapid diagnostic tests and new treatments, particularly for common STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Penile Fracture/Broken Penis

Well, you cannot call this problem a disease because it is not. The penile fracture may happen to any man who has got several injuries to the penis. Having injuries near or on corpora cavernosa and penile sheath most commonly causes a broken penis.

By the way, corpora cavernosa and penile sheath drive erection to men. So, it is clear that if you undergo from this matter, you might face erectile dysfunction as well.

Symptoms of penile fracture or broken penis are;

• Pain when peeing
• Sudden losing of erection
• Bleeding from the penis
• Variable pain from mild to severe

There are no over-the-counter medications to treat the penile fracture. Some sources say there are, but that is fictional. If you are looking for a cure, you must ask your doctor for proper treatment.

Research in 2017 that penile fractures are a urological emergency, with incidence rates in Iran estimated between 1.14 to 10.48 per 100,000 men.

Another study in 2014 found that most penile fractures occur during heterosexual intercourse, particularly in the “woman on top” position, emphasizing the need for prompt treatment to reduce long-term complications.

Penile Cancer

This is quite like a serious issue that needs an immediate medication once the symptoms are noticed. It commonly causes because of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and not being circumcised.

The most common symptoms of penile cancer are;

• Some area of the penis starts getting thicker
• Changing skin color of the penis
• Itchiness and redness on the skin
• Small bumps on penis

Treatment of penile cancer is not over-the-counter. You should not even try any because it might worsen the condition. You will have to follow the proper medication prescribed by your doctor. Discuss with the doctor symptoms you noticed for effective medication.

Research shows that penile cancer, though rare (less than 1% of malignancies in developed countries), poses a significant risk in many areas, with circumcision linked to lower rates, such as 0.1% in Israel.

Common Treatments for Painful Erection

Now I will be discussing about how we can prevent painful erection. And, even its recurrence by following some common patterns daily.

Let it be clear, I will not share any medication but speak about how you can stop the extension of your painful erection. You should always concern your problem with a doctor and come up with proper medication.

Avoid Injuries

Injuries to the penis can cause some serious problems including erectile dysfunction. It is better to be careful at every moment and ensure you do not have any injury. Penis is a pretty sensitive part in man’s body so having safety measures for it is crucial. It is understandable you cannot always focus on this but attempt at least.

Having several injuries may cause scar tissue that bends the penis when erected. If you are looking for the answer of how to get of the scar tissue, the only answer is to avoid injuries as much as you can.

Adopt a Better Lifestyle

You already know that immune system disorder (ISD) causes painful erection. Even diabetes and obesity may cause such problem. So, it is important to adopt a better standard of living. Some drugs like Generic Sildenafil citrate 200mg also minimize the chances of impotency in men and boost sexual stamina altogether.

Do not adopt only for better sex life but also for active and happy life. Try running, gymming and eating healthy food, you will see the change soon.

Be Careful of Reacting Medicines

It is common that you might be using some medicines for fever, pain or else. It is better to look for the medicine if it reacts with others. There are dozens of medicines including reacting Generic ED Drugs with the other one. Continuing the reactive treatment for any disease may have adverse effects.

Always discuss with your doctor before starting with any treatment. Reactions of medicines can also cause the problem of erectile dysfunction and even painful erection.

The Bottom Line

I discussed what causes pain in the penis and their symptoms as well. I even mentioned some common medications that may help in treating painful erections. This content is to help you understand how you can identify such disease through its symptoms to consult with your doctor. And, get the perfect medication.

If this content helped you, make sure to drop us a comment!

FAQs

Can medications cause painful erections? 

Yes, some medications, particularly those that affect blood flow or hormone levels, can contribute to painful erections as a side effect. Always discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider.

How long does it usually take to recover from a painful erection? 

Recovery time depends on cause and treatment; some issues are resolved so fast, while others may take more time with proper treatment.

When is it safe to resume sexual activity after experiencing painful erections?

Resuming sexual activity depends on your specific diagnosis and treatment plan. It’s best to wait until your healthcare provider gives the green light to avoid further complications.

Disclaimer: This information is intended for general knowledge only and should not be taken as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health.