Penis Infections Common Symptoms of STIs
Men often get alarmed when things seem a little off downstairs, and for good reason.Penis health is an essential component of overall physical well-being and quality of life. A number of problems can afflict the penis over the years, from minor surface irritations that heal up on their own to penis infections that require treatment. It’s important for men to know the signs of serious problems so that they may seek out treatment early, limiting damage to their favorite organ. The following five symptoms may indicate sexually-transmitted penis infections:
1) Itching within the urethra
2) Burning upon urination
3) Abnormal discharge from the urethra
4) Soft, flat bumps on and around the penis
5) One or more hard, round sores on the penis
If a man has any of the above symptoms, he should seek out diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional. The sections below explain which types of sexually-transmitted penis infections cause these symptoms.
Itching, Burning and Discharge
The first three symptoms - itching within the urethra, burning upon urination and abnormal discharge - indicate three types of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) as potential sources. Two of them are bacterial: chlamydia (caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria) and gonorrhea (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria). The third type of STI indicated by these symptoms is trichomoniasis, which is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is only symptomatic in about 30% of infected individuals.
Treatment of these three penis infections requires antibiotic medication. Men are susceptible to these diseases if they have unprotected sex with infected partners. Transmission is less likely, but still possible, even when men practice safe sex with someone infected.
Bumps on the Penis
Soft, flat bumps on and around the penis may indicate genital warts. These are caused by a form of the human papilloma virus (HPV). Bumps often form in clusters, and they may itch.
Genital warts spread easily through skin-to-skin contact. In some cases, a man’s body is capable of fighting off the virus that causes warts; when this happens, the warts go away without treatment. There are several treatment methods for warts, including:
- Surgery (cutting them off)
- Electrocauterization (burning them off)
- Cryotherapy (freezing them off)
- Medicated Creams
Not all penis bumps are caused by warts. Men should seek out professional diagnosis to determine whether or not HPV is the source.
Sores on the Penis
One or more hard, round sores on the penis may indicate syphilis, a serious STI that requires treatment as soon as possible. Caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum, this infection can, if, left untreated, result in devastating consequences including dementia, blindness, paralysis, deafness and even death.
However, men need not panic if they catch the infection in the early stage, at which point it is treatable. Men who have been infected for less than one year can usually take care of it with a single dose of penicillin. Alternative antibiotics are available for men who are allergic to penicillin.
Due to the seriousness of this STI, it’s imperative for men to seek out diagnosis whenever a sore or sore-like mark is detected on the penis.
Taking care of the penis requires safe sexual practices to reduce or eliminate a man’s risk of the above penis infections. In addition to safe sex - and, of course, proper hygiene - men can keep their members happy and healthy by using a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) that provides hydration, cell repair and optimal blood flow. Look for a crème that contains vitamins E, C and D along with nutrients like acetyl L-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid for a well-rounded boost in overall penis health.
