Severe Penis Pain: Is it a Nerve Problem?

All those sensitive nerves in the penis are the reason that it feels so good when the penis is stroked, enveloped or otherwise made the subject of physical attention. Without those nerves, sex literally would be a whole different ballgame. But that special nerve sensitivity also means that penis pain can be heightened when it occurs. Usually penis pain is fleeting, as when the penis is accidentally struck. But there can be some penis health issues in which the pain is longer lasting or recurrent, which can be very difficult to deal with. One such situation is neuralgia, specifically pudendal neuralgia.

Pudendal neuralgia

Neuralgia is described as an intense burning or stabbing sensation caused when a nerve is damaged or irritated. First described in 1987, pudendal neuralgia is a specific kind of neuralgia, one which is sometimes known as pudendal nerve entrapment, cyclist’s syndrome or Alcock canal syndrome.

Pudendal neuralgia can affect both men and women, although it is more often seen in women than in men. In men, it causes pain in the penis, scrotum, anus and perineum (the area between the scrotum and the anus). Sometimes the pain is experienced in all of these areas, sometimes not. Often it presents as a burning sensation or as a tingling. In many cases, it causes a "numbness" to occur as well.

Frequently, the pain occurs when urinating or when engaged in intercourse. In addition, men may experience this penis pain when sitting, especially if sitting for an extended period of time. And in some cases, the pain occurs seemingly at random.

Causes

There are thought to be several things which can cause pudendal neuralgia. A sedentary lifestyle can be a cause (especially if one is obese), as can riding a bicycle for extended periods of time. Poorly managed diabetes can also cause damage to the nerves in the area. In some cases, trauma to the penis or the surrounding area may result in nerve issues. Excessive constipation is also a likely culprit, as are tumors which develop in the midsection.

Treatment

Treatment will depend upon the cause of the penis pain. Often lifestyle changes are recommended. Those who are sedentary are encouraged to limit the amount of continuous time they spend sitting and those who are overweight are encouraged to bring this issue under control. More effective management of diabetes can often help. In addition, working to relieve stress and keep stress levels down can be very effective.

Often a physician will recommend a nerve block. This involves using an ultrasound to locate the affected nerve and injecting it with an anesthetic. In more difficult cases, treatment by radio waves, cold temperatures or alcohol injection may be effective. If the pudendal neuralgia is stubborn, a doctor may recommend surgery as the best option.

Pudendal neuralgia can be a recurring problem in some people. Finding a treatment that works best for an individual with recurring penis pain may require trial and error.

Penis pain from pudendal neuralgia usually requires the advice of a doctor. Keeping the penis in good health can be helpful, so men should be sure that they make regular use of a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). What should a guy look for in a penis health crème? It helps if the crème contains L-carnitine, which is an amino acid which can be helpful in restoring sensitivity lost due to peripheral nerve damage (often the result of rough - if pleasurable - handling of the penis). In addition, the crème should include vitamin C. This popular vitamin is a key component of collagen, a tissue in the body that gives skin its tone and elasticity.