What is the penis?
The penis is one of the external parts of the urinary system and reproductive system for people assigned male at birth (AMAB). The penis has three parts:
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- Root. You can’t see the root of the penis. It exists between a fibrous membrane in your perineum (the space between your anus and genitals) and connective tissue (superficial perineal pouch) in your pelvic floor. The root contains tissues that help you get an erection, which allows for penetration during sexual intercourse, and muscles that help remove urine (pee) and semen (ejaculate) from your urethra.
- Body (shaft). The shaft of the penis looks like a tube. It hangs from a joint between the left and right hip bones. It contains your erectile tissues: two tubelike chambers that run the length of the top of the penis (corpora cavernosa) and one tubelike chamber that runs along the bottom of your penis (corpus spongiosum), which also surrounds the urethra. These chambers contain thousands of spaces that fill with blood when you get an erection.
- Glans penis (head). The glans is the tip of the penis. It contains the end of the urethra (urethral meatus), which is where pee and semen exit your body. Most children AMAB have a foreskin at birth. The foreskin is an outer layer of skin that covers the glans. But some parents choose to remove their baby’s foreskin shortly after birth (circumcision).
The skin of the penis is loose and stretchy. The stretchy skin allows for changes in penis size when you have an erection.
What disorders affect the penis?
Penile disorders are conditions that can affect your ability to have sexual intercourse or pee as expected. Many different disorders can affect your penis. These include:
Priapism
Priapism occurs when you have an erection and blood can’t drain from your penis. It’s often painful and can last four or more hours. It can occur without sexual arousal or any sexual stimulation of your penis. Priapism can cause permanent damage to your penis without emergency treatment.
Penile fracture
A penile fracture is when you severely bend or hit your erection so hard that you tear your tunica albuginea. Your tunica albuginea is a strong, fibrous connective tissue layer that covers your corpora cavernosa. When it tears, you’ll often hear a cracking or popping sound and pain followed by immediate loss of your erection. You may also have bruising or blood in your pee. A penile fracture is a medical emergency that usually requires surgery.
Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease is when scar tissue (plaque) forms in your erectile tissue and causes your penis to curve, bend or lose length. The scar tissue usually forms after an injury to your erect penis, but not always. You might not need treatment if the curve doesn’t hurt or cause you discomfort. But therapies, medications and surgery can treat more severe cases.
Balanitis
Balanitis is inflammation on the head of your penis. It typically affects those who still have their foreskin because the warm, damp area between your glans and foreskin creates an ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to grow. Yeast and bacteria are the most common causes, which most people can treat with antifungal creams or antibiotics. You can help prevent balanitis by regularly cleaning and thoroughly drying the area.
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a chronic (long-lasting) inability to get or keep an erection that’s hard enough to have sexual intercourse. It’s more common in people over 40. It may be the symptom of an underlying condition that affects how blood vessels deliver blood to tissues throughout your body, including your penis. Other causes may include:
- An injury to your penis or the surrounding area.
- Conditions that affect how your nerves or hormones work.
- Certain prescription and nonmedical drugs.
- Psychological and/or emotional conditions.
There are many available treatment options for ED, including medications, therapies and devices.
Ejaculation disorders
Ejaculation disorders are a type of sexual dysfunction that affects how semen leaves your body. The three main ejaculation disorders include:
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- Premature ejaculation. Premature ejaculation occurs when you orgasm and release semen sooner than you or your partner would like before or shortly after starting sexual intercourse.
- Delayed ejaculation. Delayed ejaculation is when it regularly takes a long time to orgasm and ejaculate during sexual intercourse, even though you want to.
- Retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation is when semen goes backward into your bladder when you orgasm instead of out of your urethra.
Ejaculation disorders can have many different causes — some of them may relate to your thoughts or emotions (psychological), while others may relate to your nervous system (neurological). But treatment exists for each condition, ranging from making lifestyle changes and talking to a sex therapist to switching or starting medications.
Phimosis
Phimosis is when your foreskin is so tight that you can’t pull it back from the head of your penis. It’s normal in babies and younger children (physiological phimosis). But it should loosen with age. It can also develop from skin conditions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and injuries (pathological phimosis). Physiological phimosis usually doesn’t require treatment. Pathological phimosis treatment may include corticosteroid creams, gradually stretching the foreskin, surgery or circumcision.
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Paraphimosis
Paraphimosis is when your foreskin pulls back toward your shaft, and you can’t bring it back to its position over the head of your penis. It’s a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment because it can cut off blood flow to your penis and cause permanent damage. A healthcare provider may make a slit in your foreskin to alleviate pressure and allow you to move your foreskin back over the tip of your penis. Or they may recommend circumcision.
Penile cancer
Penile cancer is a rare type of cancer that most commonly starts on the head of your penis or foreskin. Healthcare providers and medical researchers aren’t sure what causes penile cancer. But risk factors include:
- Human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a virus. There are over 100 types, 30 of which can affect your genitals, including your penis.
- Smoking. Smoking and using other forms of tobacco, including vaping, increase your risk of developing cancer.
- Smegma. Smegma buildup can cause irritation and inflammation, increasing your chances of getting cancer.
Healthcare providers most commonly recommend surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy to treat penile cancer.