Sore Penis Syndrome: Could it be Behcet’s Disease?

A man can get a sore penis from any number of reasons, including using his equipment too much or not keeping his manhood well lubricated during extended sexual encounters. There can also be some penis health concerns, such as a sexually-transmitted disease, that might cause a sore penis as well. But sometimes that soreness comes from a medical issue that goes beyond the penis - and such can be the case when a guy has Behcet’s disease.

What it is

Also called Behcet’s syndrome, Behcet’s disease is named after a Turkish doctor who is credited with discovering it in the 1930s. It is both an autoimmune and an autoinflammatory disease.

Autoimmune means that the body, for some reason usually unknown, starts to sense a normal body part or function as abnormal and therefore initiates a defense against it; in other words, the body starts fighting itself. Autoinflammatory diseases come about when a genetic mutation is the reason that the immune system starts fighting against a normal body part of function.

With Behcet’s, this brings about serious inflammation in blood vessels. When this happens, it may manifest in several different ways: as skin rashes, as sores in the mouth, as red eyes, as arthritis pain in joints - or as penis sores. And those penis sores can make for a sore penis.

There are an estimated 16,000-20,000 people with Behcet’s disease in the United States, and it is more likely to occur in men than in women.

Sometimes it can be severe and cause pain and inconvenience; in other people, it may be very mild and hardly noticed. While the sore penis can be a problem, there are other potential complications, including vision loss or stroke, that are of greater concern.

Many men find that when a Behcet’s disease flare-up occurs and results in penis sores that their sex lives are affected. The sores can give the impression that the penis may have a sexually-transmitted infection when, in fact, Behcet’s is not contagious. But even if a partner is willing, many men find that the sore penis impacts the pleasure that they would otherwise feel from engaging in sex.

Treatment

Scientists still do not understand the cause of Behcet’s, despite knowing there is a genetic component associated with it. Diagnosing it can sometimes take a while, especially if one has only minor symptoms.

In terms of the sore penis, treatment typically involves topical corticosteroid medications. This help reduces the swelling and the pain. If a flare-up is mild, the sores may resolve on their own without intervention.

However, especially with more severe cases, it often is necessary to maintain continuing treatment in order to reduce the number or severity of flare-ups. This usually involves continued use of corticosteroids, but with other medications added to help suppress the overact immune response.

During flare-ups, it’s also important that a person gets sufficient rest. This can help the body "re-group" and aid it in resolving the flare-up more quickly.

Even when sores from Behcet’s disease go away, a guy may still experience a sore penis. Once sores are gone, it may be helpful to regularly apply a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Soreness is often a sign of damaged penis skin, so try finding a crème that contains helpful moisturizing agents, such as a high end emollient (look for shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E). Try to locate a crème which also lists vitamin D among its ingredients. Vitamin D has proven benefits in fighting diseases and supporting healthy cellular function and can provide important health benefits.

Penis Ulcers Might Signal Behcet’s Disease

Penis ulcers - sores that can pop up on the penis - are both painful and unsightly. And understandably, they often cause a man to panic. The presence of penis ulcers may denote a serious penis health issue, such as an STI, but they can be caused by other things as well, such as Behcet’s disease.

About penis ulcers

Ulcers are more often associated with body parts other than the penis. For example, many people are familiar with the mouth ulcers that accompany many colds and viruses, and stomach ulcers are often the subject of considerable discussion.

But penis ulcers do exist and are classified as a dermatological issue. These open sores cause concern, as they tend to be associated with the presence of an STI, such as syphilis or herpes. But they can also be caused by other things, such as tuberculosis or a reaction to some antibiotic treatments.

About Behcet’s disease

A condition known as Behcet’s disease may also bring about penis ulcers. Behcet’s disease (sometimes called Behcet’s syndrome) is named after a Turkish doctor who first detailed it back in 1937.

Behcet’s disease is classified as an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system mistakenly perceives something in the body itself to be an "enemy" and attacks it. In the case of Behcet’s syndrome, the result is an inflammation of the blood vessels, which over time can damage them.

Behcet’s disease is accompanied by numerous symptoms, including ulcers that may appear in the mouth or on the genitals. Other symptoms include eye irritation, skin lesions, joint pain, headaches, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever and digestion issues.

Cause

There is still a great deal science doesn’t know about Behcet’s disease. It is fairly rare, affecting about 20,000 people in the United States, and so little is known about what causes it. There are several theories, including:

- Genes. Many doctors believe there is a genetic component for the condition which may make some people more likely to contract it than others.

- Virus or bacteria. There is also some evidence that suggests a virus or certain bacteria can trigger Behcet’s in an individual.

- Environmental. The area in which a person resides and its specific environmental characteristics may include triggers - but just what those may be have not yet been positively identified.

Fortunately, Behcet’s is not contagious, so it is not passed by direct contact between people. However, men who develop penis ulcers due to Behcet’s are likely to want to avoid sex during the period in which they are present (typically 1-3 weeks), for a couple of reasons. The ulcers are likely to remind partners of an STI, so their presence may affect a mate’s comfort level where sex is concerned. Perhaps more importantly, the penis ulcers are typically accompanied by a fairly significant degree of pain - and the friction associated with sex is likely to irritate them even further.

Treatment

There is no cure for Behcet’s, which is chronic and tends to "come and go," so treatment involves alleviating symptoms. Corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunosuppressants may be used.

Once the penis ulcers from Behcet’s disease have healed and are no longer open sores, a man needs to strengthen the health of his penis by applying a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Make sure the crème includes vitamin A, well-known for its anti-bacterial properties. Ulcers often add to an already-existing penis odor issue, and vitamin A is uniquely qualified to help stem that odor emergency. Scarring may result from ulcers, so a crème that can rehydrate the skin through high-end emollients like Shea butter and natural moisturizers like vitamin E is needed.