What Causes Penis Pain?

UTIs are common in women. But men can also experience them. 

Pain caused by a UTI will be felt in the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis, typically while urinating. 

It may be a sharp, intense and burning sensation. You might also see blood in your urine and feel the need to urinate frequently. 

If you’re a man and think you might have a UTI, you need to arrange a face-to-face consultation with your GP. 

STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, syphilis, can cause penis pain. The pain that results from an STI may be burning or itchy in sensation. It may come with discharge, redness or a rash.

Men who have recently engaged in unprotected sex, especially with multiple partners, are particularly susceptible to STIs. 

If you’re sexually active, you should test for STIs regularly. You can do this at your nearest sexual health clinic. Or you can buy at-home testing kits here.

Peyronie’s disease results in pain during an erection. It’s caused by inflammation of scar tissue in the shaft of the penis, which is adjacent to the tissue that becomes firm during an erection. It may also cause the penis to bend when erect. 

The disease occurs for a number of reasons, including bleeding inside the penis and a connective tissue disorder. It may also run in families. 

Priapism is a condition that causes prolonged and painful erections. 

It’s most common in young boys and men between 20 and 50 and it can occur for a number of reasons. This includes mental health disorders, blood clotting disorders and alcohol or illegal drug use. It could also be a side effect of certain drugs (including drugs to treat erectile dysfunction).

Priapism can lead to long-term health problems, so it needs to be treated right away.

Balanitis is an infection of the foreskin. It’s usually the result of not regularly washing under the foreskin.

As well as irritation felt on the head of the penis, it may also result in itchiness, redness, swelling and a foul smell.

It’s most common in uncircumcised men. Although circumcised men can also develop the condition. 

Direct injury can also cause penis pain, like anywhere else on the body. It can also be caused by:

• Playing sports, especially contact sports such as football and rugby
• Rough or prolonged sex
• The use of penis rings, sometimes used to prolong an erection
• The insertion of an object into the urethra

Penile cancer is a rare form of cancer, most typical in men over the age of 50. Penile cancer can cause pain in the penis, as well as a sore or growth, bleeding under the foreskin, a foul-smelling discharge and a thickening of the foreskin. 

Men who suspect penile cancer should consult a doctor urgently.  

Other potential causes of penis pain include:

• An infected penile implant
• Activities such as horse riding or motorcycle riding
• An allergic reaction, e.g. from a soap or detergent
• Bladder stones
• Insect or animal bites
• Acne on the penis
• A tight or swollen foreskin

Treatment for penis pain will depend on the underlying cause and how severe it is. 

Doctors can treat a UTI or STI using antibiotics. Peyronie’s disease or cancer may require a more invasive treatment method, such as surgery.

It’s important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing penis pain. A doctor will be able to evaluate the cause and recommend the most appropriate course of treatment.

• Consult a doctor if you’re experiencing penis pain. Especially if it occurs during an erection, if it prevents urination or is accompanied by discharge, sores or swelling.
• There are a number of causes of penis pain. Common causes include UTIs, STIs and injury.
• Other causes included Peyronie’s disease, priapism, which causes prolonged and painful erections, and balanitis, an infection of the foreskin.
• Penile cancer, a rare form of cancer, also causes pain.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on July 24, 2019. It has been updated for accuracy, readability and comprehensiveness.