Sometimes Penis Pain May Suggest Reiter’s Syndrome

The body is a marvelous creation, and one the complexity of which is often taken for granted. One reason that physicians may have difficulty initially diagnosing a medical problem is because one symptom can be common to so many different conditions – and often the symptom doesn’t directly correspond to the characteristics of the condition. That’s why sometimes a penis health issue, such as simple penis pain, can indicate a problem seemingly unrelated to penis health. This is essentially the case with penis pain as a possible prognosticator of a condition known as Reiter’s syndrome.

Reiter’s syndrome

More commonly known as reactive arthritis, Reiter’s syndrome causes painful swelling in the joints, usually the knees and ankles, although other joints may also be affected. In addition, there may also be an infection of the eyes that accompanies Reiter’s syndrome.

Often, however, before the joint pain starts and continuing throughout the time the condition is noticeable, a man with Reiter’s syndrome will experience penis pain. Indeed, some think that an infection in the penis, or in some other part of the body, is what is ultimately responsible for the painful arthritic characteristics. (The fact that the arthritis occurs in reaction to an infection not located in the joints is why it is sometimes referred to as reactive arthritis.) In most cases, the penis pain is not ongoing but sporadic, occurring usually during urination and/or ejaculation.

Beyond the penis pain, the prostate is also sometimes affected. This can in turn bring about chills and fever in some men. Finally, there can sometimes be skin rashes that eventually develop, sometimes occurring on the head of the penis.

Causes

But what causes the infection that ultimately brings about joint pain and swelling? There can be a number of causes. Frequently, Reiter’s syndrome has been associated with salmonella, or more accurately, with the bacteria that causes salmonella. Other bacteria that cause other forms of food poisoning also have been implicated in the penis pain that can precede Reiter’s syndrome.

There also can be a sexual component to the infection. Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, can sometimes cause the infection, and this again can sometimes lead to cases of the arthritic syndrome. Men with HIV are also more prone to developing Reiter’s.

But there appears to be a strong genetic component as well. About four-fifths of cases of Reiter’s syndrome occur in people with a specific genetic type (known as HLA-B27). The genetic type does not cause the condition, but it does make it much more likely that someone who is exposed to the bacteria associated with Reiter’s will develop the condition.

Treatment

So how is Reiter’s syndrome treated? Assuming that the infection that provoked the condition still persists, it is likely that the doctor will prescribe antibiotic treatment. The arthritic issues are likely to be dealt with via a number of possible options, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, topical steroids (for skin conditions), and/or rheumatoid arthritis drugs. If the arthritis has been long lasting or severe, then physical therapy may be needed to get the body back into proper shape.

In terms of prevention, wearing condoms to help prevent the spread of chlamydia and storing food at appropriate temperatures and cooking it thoroughly can help reduce the risk of infection that can lead to Reiter’s syndrome.

Penis pain from Reiter’s syndrome might be more easily managed if penis health is maintained at a high level. This can be aided by the daily application of a superior penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The best oils are those that include the full range of necessary vitamins, including A, B5, C, D, and E. In addition, look for an oil with L-arginine, an amino acid that helps produce nitric oxide. This in turn allows penile blood vessels to expand and remain open when needed.

Penis Pain from Reiter’s Syndrome

Proper penis care can be tricky sometimes, especially when the penis can be affected by seemingly unrelated problems. For example, if a man has penis pain, it’s not unreasonable to expect the cause to be something obvious, like a kick to the penis or a sexually-transmitted infection. But sometimes discovering the penis pain cause can be circuitous. A case in point is when that penis pain is linked to a condition known as Reiter’s syndrome.

Explaining Reiter’s syndrome

Named after a German physician who described it during World War I, Reiter’s syndrome is also known by numerous other names, including reactive arthritis, arthritis urethritica and polyarteritis enterica. It’s a form of arthritis which manifests in seemingly unconnected areas of the body.

When a person has Reiter’s syndrome, they experience the following:

- Arthritis (a stiffness or pain in the joints, especially knees, ankles, feet and wrists);

- Conjunctivitis (itchy, red inflammation of the eyes); and

- Inflammation of the urinary and/or gastrointestinal system. (In men, this typically presents as penis pain.)

Reiter’s syndrome is generally thought to occur as a reaction to an infection somewhere in the body. For example, in one medically famous case, a salmonella outbreak among police officers caused Reiter’s syndrome to show up in some of them several months later. Several bacteria are strongly associated with Reiter’s, and salmonella is one of them. So, for that matter, are the bacteria associated with chlamydia, a sexually-transmitted infection.

While bacteria are a major factor, there also seems to be a genetic factor. The current working theory is that some people are more genetically disposed to develop Reiter’s syndrome than others. When these people are exposed to the right kind of bacteria, it can trigger the development of Reiter’s.

The condition itself is therefore not contagious; however, the bacteria that trigger it can be passed from one person to another.

Penis symptoms

Penis pain is not the only discomfort that can be associated with Reiter’s. It often causes men to need to urinate much more frequently and with greater urgency. And when urinating, there is often a burning sensation, as well as some form of discharge. In some cases, a man may develop some painful feelings in the prostate as well. If the prostate pains develop into prostatitis, they will usually be accompanied by fever and chills.

In some cases, a man may also develop lesions or sores on the penis, typically on the tip. Although usually painless, they can be off-putting visually. Occasionally, other rashes may develop.

Treatment

Proper diagnosis is important to begin treatment. Reiter’s syndrome cannot be cured, so the emphasis is on managing the symptoms. There are several lifestyle corrections, including getting plenty of rest and initiating exercises aimed at strengthening joints, which may be employed. Among the medications typically utilized in treating the disease are corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs. Treatment is effective in most people, although some may have recurrences.

Reiter’s syndrome is one of the less common sources of penis pain. In general, of course, the better health of the penis, the more resilient it is to common forms of penis pain - so regular application of a top notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) is strongly advised. The best crèmes are those which contain L-carnitine. Often, a penis will lose sensation over time, especially if it is handled too roughly (even if such handling is pleasurable at the time). The amino acid L-carnitine has neuroprotective properties which can help to prevent diminishment of penis sensitivity in the often-handled penis. The finest crème should also include alpha lipoic acid. This is a potent antioxidant and as such is well-positioned to fight excess free radicals and thereby prevent damage from oxidative stress.