Exploration of Male Genitals: Their Purposes and Prevalent Disorders
The penis, a vital part of the male anatomy, serves two primary functions - sexual intercourse and micturition (urination). It is covered by skin, with some people having a retractable layer known as the prepuce or foreskin that covers the glans. The foreskin connects to the glans by a fold of skin called the frenulum.
Penises come in various lengths and girths, and these dimensions can change when flaccid or erect. The suspensory ligament holds the penis close to the pubic bone and supports it when erect. During arousal, the penis fills with blood, causing an erection.
Regular care is essential for maintaining penis health. This includes washing the penis regularly, avoiding abrasive or heavily scented products, and checking for anything unusual or different. People should also consider using barrier methods, such as condoms, during sexual intercourse and undergo regular sexual health screenings, even if they are in a monogamous relationship.
Common conditions that require medical attention include:
- Peyronie's disease: Formation of scar tissue inside the penis causing bending or kinks, often leading to painful erections and erectile dysfunction. Treatment can be injections or surgery in severe cases.
- Phimosis and Paraphimosis: Phimosis is a tight foreskin that cannot be retracted and can cause pain, infections, and urinary problems. It may be treated with steroid creams or circumcision. Paraphimosis is when the foreskin gets stuck behind the glans and cuts off blood flow, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
- Penile cancer: A rare but serious condition that presents as lumps, ulcers, or sores, especially on the penis head, mainly affecting older men. Treatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
- Priapism: A prolonged and painful erection lasting more than 4 hours, often caused by medications or blood disorders, requiring emergency care to avoid tissue damage.
- Balanitis: Inflammation of the glans penis leading to redness, pain, discharge, and difficulty retracting the foreskin. It is commonly caused by infections, poor hygiene, or underlying conditions such as diabetes.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Can cause symptoms like pain, discharge, sores, and discoloration on the penis; require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.
- Penile discoloration and purpura: Changes in penile color can indicate infections, blood disorders, or medication side effects and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
- Penile fractures and trauma: Serious injuries causing pain and deformity need urgent medical attention and often surgical repair.
In summary, medical attention is warranted for conditions involving pain, abnormal lumps or ulcers, prolonged erections, difficulty with foreskin movement, signs of infection, or discoloration. Early diagnosis and treatment by a healthcare professional, typically a urologist, can prevent complications and preserve penile function.
The penis contains the urethra, which allows passage of urine from the bladder to the urethral opening. The body, or shaft, of the penis contains three cylinders of erectile tissue. The root of the penis, attached to the body, also contains three erectile tissues. The fundiform ligament surrounds the penis like a sling and supports it.
Erectile function is closely related to cardiovascular health. Maintaining penis health also involves a healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, and trying to avoid smoking. Other tips include regularly washing the penis and considering the use of barrier methods during sexual intercourse.
References: [1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Phimosis. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phimosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20372031 [2] American Urological Association. (2021). Priapism. Retrieved from https://www.auanet.org/guidelines/priapism-guidelines [3] National Health Service (NHS). (2021). Peyronie's disease. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peyronies-disease/ [4] American Cancer Society. (2021). Penile cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/penile-cancer.html [5] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Penis problems: Conditions & treatments. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16728-penis-problems-conditions-treatments
- To maintain men's health and urinary health, it's crucial to practice good penile hygiene, such as washing the penis regularly and checking for any abnormalities.
- In discussions about health-and-wellness, sexual-health, and mens-health, it's essential to consider using barrier methods like condoms during sexual intercourse to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Scientific studies have shown that cardiovascular health plays a significant role in maintaining erectile function, making regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking vital for penis health.
