Urethritis Can Make a Sore Penis

Man, a sore penis can be a real pleasure killer! A guy may be all set for an exciting sexual encounter, but a truly sore penis can make that encounter much less satisfying – and can sometimes even derail it altogether. And even when a man is not getting all heated up over some delicious sex, a sore penis can cause pain and discomfort that simply interferes with his every day, non-sexual life. Maintaining proper penis health can help prevent a sore penis, and knowing about urethritis can enable a man to take steps to treat this sore penis cause.

About urethritis

Urethritis refers to a bacterial infection that affects the urethra, which in men is the tube that runs from the bladder down through the penis. It’s the tube which acts as the expressway through which urine leaves the body. It’s also the same tube that semen use when it is ejaculated from the body – although the semen joins the urethra outside of the bladder.

When a man has urethritis, he usually experiences pain in the urethra while he is urinating. It also may occur while he is ejaculating – and in some cases, the sore penis may occur during the arousal phase before ejaculation. In addition, urethritis may cause blood to appear in the urine or in the semen.

If urethritis is present, it may increase the frequency with which a man urinates; ironically, while it makes a man need to urinate more often, he often finds that when he gets ready to urinate, it can take a while to actually initiate the urination. And while the most intense pain occurs during urination or ejaculation, often there is a continuing lesser degree of soreness at other times. The penis may also be very itchy during this time.

Causes

The bacteria that causes urethritis typically enters the urethra through the meatus, the hole at the end of the penis through which urine and semen leave the body. In addition to common bacteria like e coli, urethritis may also occur from bacteria associated with sexually-transmitted infections, such as gonococcus (associated with gonorrhea) and chlamydia trachomatis (associated with chlamydia). Herpes simplex may also cause urethritis.

Prevention

Clearly, a man wants to avoid the sore penis (and other problems) that can result from urethritis. There are several steps he can take to do this:

Be clean. Practicing good hygiene can help to keep common bacteria away from the urethra. Washing hands frequently is a good idea, as is washing the penis on a daily basis – more if a man sweats a lot or is engaged in other activity which brings about potential bacterial infection. E coli bacteria is often found in the stool, so men should try not to touch the penis after defecating until they have washed their hands.

Use condoms. Having unprotected sex puts a person at greater risk of acquiring urethritis – and of more serious STIs. Consistent use of condoms (unless one is in a serious monogamous relationship) can be a big help in preventing spread of STIs. Some doctors also recommend urinating after intercourse, as this may help remove bacteria before they can “take hold.”

Treatment

Treatment of urethritis depends upon its cause, but various antibiotics and/or antivirals are typically prescribed.

Even after urethritis has been treated, a man may continue to have a sore penis for several days. 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) may provide some relief. Common soreness is often alleviated through use of a moisturizer-rich crème, so select one with both a high end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E). In addition, strengthen the delicate penis skin by finding a crème with a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid.