Penile Bruising – A Guide to Injuries and Conditions

The penis is a closely guarded treasure; most men take great pains to avoid any sort of injury to the delicate equipment. But bumps and bruises are a part of life, and even the best-protected member is likely to run into a solid object - a misplaced knee or football, or even a partner’s body - from time to time. The resulting penile bruising and pain can be alarming, and for good reason: A serious penis injury can cause disfiguration and even loss of function if not treated properly. Fortunately, most injuries are not serious, and at-home penis care may be all that is needed to manage any pain and swelling - but it is always advisable to check in with a doctor when bruising does occur.

Causes of penile bruising
1) Trauma. Perhaps the most common, and the most obvious, cause of penile bruising is blunt-force trauma - in other words, impact with a solid object. While the resulting bruising is usually superficial, a heavy blow to the area can result in deep tissue damage that can lead to long-term problems, so it is best not to ignore this type of injury. To minimize the chance of experiencing trauma to the penis, men should wear the proper protective gear for any type of athletic activity. Extremely aggressive thrusting and bending or twisting moves should be avoided during partner sex.

2) Masturbation. Self-inflicted damage is also fairly common. Men who use a tight grip and/or bending and twisting motions during manual stroking may be susceptible to bruising of the penile tissue, as are those who thrust into a bed, cushion or other object during masturbation.

3) Priapism. This is a serious medical condition in which men experience a persistent erection that is not caused by sexual stimulation. Usually, it is the result of an injury to the groin area that causes blood to become trapped inside the penis. The resulting erection can be quite painful, and it may be accompanied by bruising. Priapism should be treated as a medical emergency; failure to seek treatment can result in penile tissue death.

4) Injection of medications or illicit substances. Men who have prescription medications injected into the penis for treatment of erectile dysfunction may develop bruising around the injection site; the same issue may affect men who inject recreational substances into the penis.

5) Clothing entrapment. If the penis becomes trapped in a zipper or other part of a man’s clothing, bruising to the site may occur. This is generally not serious and can be treated at home.

At-home treatment for a sore, bruised penis
A penis injury that results in pain, swelling, bruising or any other noticeable symptoms should always be checked by a doctor, even if it seems fairly minor; if penile bruising develops without any obvious injury, immediate medical attention is required. Once the problem has been diagnosed and treated, there are several things that men can do at home to help reduce any swelling, minimize the discoloration of bruising and ease the pain:

- Apply cool compresses to the penis. A soft washcloth or towel soaked in cool water and applied to the penis for 20 minutes at a time can help ease discomfort and reduce swelling. Ice should never be placed on the penis.

- Add heat. On the second day after an injury, a warm compress, rather than a cool one, can be applied to the bruised area. This can help draw blood to the area to slough away the damaged tissue and speed the healing process.

- Try over-the-counter pain relievers. For more intense pain, some men may want to try an NSAID (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) to take the edge off. Keep in mind that some pain relievers may interact with other medications, so always check with a doctor first.

- Follow up with a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). A nutrient formula that contains a rich mix of vitamins and amino acids - especially vitamin C, which is needed for the growth of healthy circulatory tissue - can help support the healing process, as well as improve the general look and feel of the manhood.

Penile Bruising – What Causes It and How to Help

Most active men take bumps and bruises in stride; in fact, in most cases, they might not even notice when they occur. However, when penile bruising develops, men tend to take note - a penis bruise can be disconcerting and worrisome. Fortunately, most causes of bruising on the penis are not serious, but it is helpful to know what can cause the problem and to be aware of issues that might require specialized penis care.

Some common (and less-common) sources of penile bruising are described here, followed by tips for managing discomfort and speeding healing.

Blunt force trauma
A heavy blow to the groin area, whether caused by a flying object, a misplaced knee or a clumsy maneuver, can result in sore, damaged tissue. This occurs when the capillaries under the skin are broken by the force of the impact, allowing blood to flow freely under the skin. While the majority of bruises caused by such injuries are minor and heal on their own, it is worth bringing them to the attention of a doctor, especially when accompanied by severe pain, to rule out something more serious.

Penile fractures
While the penis does not contain any bone, it is possible to rupture the erectile tissue when it is rigid, resulting in a penile fracture. This usually occurs during aggressive sexual maneuvers. Men who experience a loud popping sound that is accompanied by severe pain and/or signs of bruising should seek immediate medical attention.

Thrombosed lymphatic vessels
The penis is lined with lymph vessels that carry lymph fluid. These vessels can develop blockages during vigorous sex. The blockages may appear as raised lumps on the penis, and they may be tender to the touch and/or develop a bruised appearance. This condition is not serious, and generally, the blockages resolve on their own within a few days or weeks.

Priapism
This condition, characterized by a painful erection that will not subside, occurs when blood becomes trapped inside the penis. Darkening of the skin or bruising may also appear. Men who experience an erection that lasts for several hours, and that is not brought on by sexual stimulation, should seek immediate medical attention, as this is considered a medical emergency.
Dealing with a penis bruise
Obviously, in the case of a traumatic injury, or when bruising appears on the penis for no apparent reason, the first step in treating the problem should be the emergency room. But for minor cases of bruising, and for ongoing treatment after the initial check with a doctor, men can follow the steps below to ease the pain and restore the skin to normal:

1) Apply cool, and then warm compresses. In the first hours after an injury, applying a cool compress (or simply a washcloth soaked in cool water) to the affected area can slow the spread of blood under the skin, reduce discoloration and decrease the level of discomfort. Ice or frozen gel packs should not be used directly against the skin, as frostbite may occur. In the following days, a warm washcloth applied to the area may help to increase the flow of blood to the area, allowing faster healing to take place.

2) Take an over-the-counter painkiller. Anti-inflammatory medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may help to ease the pain caused by an injury to the penile skin. Men should only take these as recommended and should check with a doctor first if they are taking any other medications.

3) Allow time for healing. As difficult as it may be, it is important to leave the penis under wraps for a time to allow the healing process to take place; rough handling or the bending and twisting that come with sex can cause not only pain, but further injury to the already damaged tissue.

4) Try a penis health crème. Men who are not already using a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to nourish and protect the penis may opt to try a product like this during the healing process. A crème that is enriched with vitamins C and D may support healing of the circulatory tissue and damaged skin, while emollients like Shea butter and vitamin E promote recovery and overall penile health.

Sore Penis TLC - Help for Bruised Penile Tissue

Bruises can be painful and a little disconcerting no matter where they appear on the human body, but when they show up on the penis, men might reasonably react with more than a little alarm. Thankfully, most cases of penile bruising are mild, and they tend to dissolve and disappear on their own, with a little supportive penis health care. But there are times when a bruised, sore penis merits a trip to the doctor for more advanced healing options.

Bruising Basics

The tissues of the penis are lined with blood. Deep channels inside the penis fill up with blood when a man is aroused, and this movement of fluid makes an erection possible. Even when a man isn't focused on sex, however, the penis is nourished by blood flowing into thick veins and arteries that line the penis, as well as tiny capillaries that lie beneath the skin.

Both large blood vessels and the smaller channels can burst when they're subjected to pressure or some other form of trauma, and when they burst, bruises are soon to follow, as the blood rushes out and flows freely beneath the skin. Penile trauma can come in many forms, but common causes of intimate bruising include:

• Surgical procedures;
• Rough or dry sex;
• Twisting motions during masturbation;
• Accidents or blunt trauma.

A typical bruise looks reddish when it first appears, but as the bruise heals and the blood is reabsorbed into nearby tissues, the skin can take on spectacular colors, including purple, green and yellow.

Cause for Concern

Some bruises are best handled with the help of an expert. For example, some bruises develop when a man hits his penis on something hard, like a partner's pubic bone, and the impact can break delicate internal tissues. Such trauma won't heal on its own, and it is often very painful, so incidents like this require a trip to the doctor's office or ER.

Helping the Healing

An ordinary bruise that has no other complicating factors tends to disappear within a few weeks, no matter what a guy might do. Human physiology is adept at healing these sorts of damaged tissues, and the body’s cleanup crews head to the site mere minutes after the original injury and make sure that all is progressing as it should. There are some things men can do, however, to ensure that this process moves as quickly as it possibly can.

Allowing time for healing is vital, as continued pressure or friction on bruised tissues can allow yet more blood cells to escape, and the bruise might spread instead of disappearing. Even if a man isn't experiencing pain, it might be best to avoid sexual activity until the discoloration begins to fade and the tissue returns to its normal color.  If pain accompanies the bruising, letting the injured tissues rest is especially important.

Washcloths dipped in cool water can provide relief in the 24 to 48 hours following the injury, but in the days that follow, warm compresses can also help to speed healing. The warmth allows blood vessels to expand, so the damaged cells can be accessed and swept away as quickly as possible. A washcloth soaked in warm water, applied several times per day, should help the discoloration to fade.

Applying a high-quality a penis health creme (most experts recommend Man1 Man Oil) may also help to promote healing. While penile creams are not intended as a cure for damaged tissue, vital nutrients such as vitamin C can help to promote the restoration of circulatory tissue, while natural moisturizers such as shea butter keep the skin feeling soft, supple and responsive to the touch.