Penile Nerve Damage: Dealing with Diminished Sensitivity

Penile nerve damage and numbness can be at the heart of many men’s sexual problems. The penis is a very sensitive organ filled with tiny nerves. These nerves are messengers that communicate information from the brain to the different organs of the body. When the nerves get damaged, the information gets disrupted and causes a variety of problems, such as reduced pleasure and loss of sexual function.

What are the Symptoms of Penile Nerve Damage?

The most common symptoms of penile nerve damage are numbness, loss of sensitivity, and lack of expected sensation when touched or stroked. Symptoms can differ depending on the cause of penile nerve damage. Here are a few of the most common issues a man might face:

- A tingling sensation

- A burning or chilling feeling

- A feeling of "pins and needles" or like lightning is shooting through the penis

- A bluish color

What are the Causes of Penile Nerve Damage?

There are several different causes of penile nerve damage. Here are a few of the most common things that can cause penile numbness and nerve damage.

1) Penile Injury - As it's a delicate organ, there are many ways to injure the penis. A few of these include vigorous sex, intense workouts, prolonged erection, sports (especially cycling), chafing, and excessive self-gratification. Use of sex toys and enhancements like cock rings and penis pumps can also damage the delicate nerves of the penis. For activity-induced issues like sports and sex, take a break and be sure the penis is not straining too much or having too much pressure put on it. For chafing concerns, wear looser fitting clothing, use lubricant when self-pleasuring, and always use a moisturizer after showering to keep the penile supple and healthy.

2) Illness or Disease - Many people who suffer from illnesses that affect nerves experience loss of penile sensation due to nerve damage or neuropathy. Common examples of these type of diseases include:

-Multiple Sclerosis

-Diabetes

-Pyronine’s disease

-Cancer

-Lupus

-Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)

-Lyme disease

-Hepatitis C

-HIV

-Guillain-Barré syndrome

Medications prescribed for these conditions can also make numbness or tingling worse.

3) Low Testosterone or "Low T" - This cause is more common for men over 40. As people age, testosterone levels decrease and result in lower libido and less sensation during sex.

Treating Penile Nerve Damage

There are many ways to treat penile nerve damage, but the best way is to start by treating the root cause of the issue. So, for those suffering from penile numbness due to diabetes, an enthusiastic commitment to reducing their diabetic symptoms through diet, exercise, and medication could help bring back sensitivity. For men who cycle, simple changes such as investing in padded biking shots and changing seat angle could yield big benefits. For those with Low-T, medications of several varieties from oral to patches could increase libido and sensitivity.

In addition to treating the root cause, be sure to practice daily healthy penis habits such as a thorough, gentle cleansing and moisturizing the member with a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). This crème is especially beneficial as it contains important ingredients designed specifically for penis health like vitamins A, C, D and E, and L-Carnitine which protects against peripheral nerve damage. It’s also important to choose a crème that starts with an all-natural base like Shea butter, which leaves delicate penile skin soft, supple, and strong.

Penis Rash Symptoms and Psoriasis: Is Phototherapy a Good Treatment Option?

There’s nothing pleasant about psoriasis, wherever on one’s body it occurs - and when it presents as a penis rash it can be especially distressing. Sexual partners may misinterpret it as a sexually-transmitted infection, and even those who realize it’s not that may still start to question a guy’s commitment to his penis health. Other men who see it at the gym may smirk or stare, causing further embarrassment and self-consciousness. Clearly, tending to this penis rash is important - so is it possible to use phototherapy as a treatment option for psoriasis on the penis?

About psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of those conditions that people have heard of but - unless they themselves suffer from it - may have only a passing understanding of. When a guy has psoriasis, it means that his skin cells are overproducing - skin cells start building up rapidly on the surface, creating an unsightly scales and red patches that can itch severely and often are tender and painful to the touch. The skin is also often dry and cracked, sometimes bleeding easily. In addition, psoriasis may sometimes cause one’s joints to stiffen as well.

Psoriasis can appear on many different parts of the body, including the penis and surrounding areas. It’s an autoimmune disease, and at this time there is no cure for it - only treatments which aim to address the symptoms and keep the disease from recurring. Exactly what causes it is unknown, but it results when the body’s T cells start attacking its skin cells.

Treatment also involves identifying potential "triggers" which cause flare-ups of psoriasis and working to eliminate r diminish these triggers. Some typical triggers are infections; skin injuries; bug bites; stress; smoking; too much alcohol; too little vitamin D; and some medications, like beta blockers and lithium.

Phototherapy

As mentioned, treatments often are focused on addressing the symptoms, such as the rash itself. Topical corticosteroids, usually in crème form, are often recommended. Sometimes simple moisturizers are recommended for the penis instead, due to the sensitivity of penis skin. (One trick for applying such moisturizers to a penis rash caused by psoriasis is to apply it to the penis, then apply it inside a condom. Slip the condom over the penis, and wear underneath clothing, in order to help keep the "moisturizing" continue throughout the day.) Vitamin D and several other medications are also often employed.

In recent years, phototherapy has been recommended by some doctors to treat psoriasis. UVB light is provided from a lamp or similar source, often being applied in "bursts" to the affected area. This has proven effective for many kinds of psoriasis.

However, using phototherapy for a penis rash caused by psoriasis is trickier than when using it elsewhere on the body. Again, because of the delicacy and the sensitivity of thin penis skin, phototherapy must be used at a lower intensity to avoid painful sunburns on the penis. It also can dry the penis skin out even more. And because it is used at a lower dose, it may not be as effective as when used at a higher dose on other parts of the body. In addition, some doctors fear that penile phototherapy could increase the risk of developing penile cancer.

Bottom line: If a man has psoriasis on the penis, he should discuss with his doctor the pros and cons of using phototherapy, if it is recommended as a treatment option.

Treating penis rash from psoriasis requires moisturization, so regular use of a quality penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) may be beneficial. It’s crucial to utilize a creme with a combination of superior hydrating agents, such as shea butter and vitamin E. In addition, crème with a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, is urged. This helps keep penis skin healthier by fighting excess free radicals which can cause oxidative stress.

Penis Protection for the Occasional Nudist

Although some 54 million Americans have swum naked with other people, nudism is still not considered a mainstream idea. People who are committed nudists (or naturists, as many prefer to be called) are very much in the minority. But there’s reason to believe that there are quite a few more people who have something of an interest in being a nudist, at least on occasion. For example, one poll found that 15% of Americans were open to considering nudist-based activities or resorts when planning holidays. When a man is an "occasional" nudist of this sort, what does he need to know about his penis health? Does he need to take any penis protection steps?

Yes, it’s a good idea to be prepared. And the following are some things to consider.

Start slowly in the sun. If one’s nudist experience includes a beach or another area in which there is strong direct sunlight, be sure not to overdo things. It goes without saying that using a good, strong sunscreen is necessary; however, sunscreen can wash off, so it needs to be reapplied. Even when sunscreen is used conscientiously, delicate penis skin which is unused to direct sunlight can get damaged. So for proper penis protection, approach things slowly. If the beach is clothing optional, wear a swimsuit on every so often, especially when the sun is at its strongest. If clothing is not allowed, wrap a towel around the midsection, or lie on one’s stomach.

Look out for poison ivy. When camping or hiking in the nude - or even just when being anywhere that has a lot of plant life - be on the lookout for poison ivy, oak, and sumac - and know how to recognize them. The last thing a man wants to do is find his penis and balls slapping against a patch of poison ivy. The itching and rashing that can result can be a nightmare. It’s also important to remember that oils from the plant that causes the rash can be transmitted from one person to another - so avoid touching another person who has come in contact with the plant as well.

Rinse after skinny dipping in the ocean. It can feel great to swim naked in the ocean, letting the waves pour over one’s body. But as refreshing and invigorating as it can be, spending too much time in salty water can really dry out sensitive penis skin. After spending time in the ocean, take a moment to rinse off excess salt from the penis.

Expect insects . With no clothing barriers, it’s easier for insects to make their presence felt on the penis. And delicate penis skin is not made for the harsh chemicals in many insect repellants. So practice better penis protection by inspecting the penis and balls for mosquito bites, ticks, and other unwanted visitors. Be especially careful where ticks are concerned, as there are numerous tick borne diseases (such as Lyme disease) that a guy doesn’t want to deal with.

If a man engages in good penis protection practices, he can more fully enjoy the nudist experience without worry. His mind will also rest easier if he is already taking steps to ensure penis health, such as regularly using a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . Ideally, the crème will have a wide array of vitamins, such as A, B5, C, D, and E, to help "cover the bases" when it comes to vitamin-based health. It also helps if the crème contains an amino acid known as L-arginine. This ingredient helps the body produce nitric oxide, and that in turn helps keep penile blood vessels open and flowing when increased blood is needed.

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 Bumps: Test Your Knowledge

Guys like to be able to show off an unblemished manhood, but that’s not always possible. Sometimes they inspect their members and find penis bumps which they hadn’t seen before, and this can raise questions. Is his penis health sub-par? What is causing these penis bumps? Knowing about penis bumps can help a guy know what to do - so this quiz can help test a man’s knowledge about this subject.

Quiz questions

1) True or False: If a guy has penis bumps, he has a social disease.

2) Which of the following is NOT true about Fordyce Spots?

a. They are small (1-3 mm usually).

b. They are dangerously malignant.

c. They are common.

d. They are visible sebaceous glands.

3) True or False: Fordyce spots are more readily visible on a tumescent member than on a flaccid one.

4) These penis bumps typically appear around the ridge of the head of the member, usually in one or two rows. They are small, raised and may be reddish, whitish or flesh-colored. Although their appearance may cause alarm, they are harmless and don’t need treatment. Some studies suggest about 25% of men have them, and intact men are more likely to possess these bumps. Their scientific name is hirsuties coronae glandis. What are they more commonly known as?

5) True or False. Lymphoceles may appear after partner-based sensual activity, but not after self-stimulation.

6) True or false. Penis warts are a form of cancer.

Quiz answers

1) False. In some cases, penis bumps MAY indicate an STI, such as herpes or HPV. But there are many non-social disease causes of penis bumps.

2) B. Fordyce spots are NOT malignant but are instead benign. They do not occur due to any illness nor do they cause any medical or health problems.

3) True. They are typically visible on the balls at any time, but much less likely to be seen on the member when it is in its resting state.

4) Pearly penis papules, or PPP.

5) False. A lymphocele is a hard bump that usually appears on the shaft of the member near the head, caused by a lymph channel getting blocked. It is a temporary occurrence caused by the manhood receiving friction from a tightened grip or other body part, and can definitely be caused by self-stimulation.

6) False. Penis warts, which are bumps that can vary in their size and often have a cauliflower-like appearance, are not a cancer. However, they are caused by HPV (the human papillomavirus), a social disease which affects about 79 million Americans. HPV also is not a cancer, but it can bring about changes in the body which may then cause cancer, including penis cancer, anal cancer and a cancer that affects the throat and tongue. Many people who get HPV suffer no problems, and so they may not be aware they have been infected. Penis warts, however, are a sign of infection, and they can alert a doctor to monitor an infected person to catch any signs of cancer in its early stages. (And again, not every person with HPV or penis warts gets cancer.)

As this quiz indicates, penis bumps are not always a signal that there is a penis health problem. But it always helps to maintain maximum penis health just in case, so guys should daily apply a top notch penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Keeping member skin healthy can be beneficial, so the ideal crème should include both a high-end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural hydrator (like vitamin E). The crème should also include L-carnitine, especially among men whose manhood engages in a lot of friction-based activity which can diminish valuable sensitivity. L-carnitine helps to protect the member from loss of sensation due to rough handling.

Unusual Red Penis Issues: What is Purpura, and What to Do About It?

Presenting a handsome and attractive penis to a partner or potential partner is a point of pride for most men. They want to exhibit their good penis health as well as demonstrate that their good looks extend to behind their zipper as well. Sometimes, though, what they actually present can fall somewhat short of what they want to present. Often this is due to some transient issue, rather than a permanent problem. For example, if a guy is affected by purpura, this may result in a splotchy red penis, rather than in a penis with more evenly toned skin.

What is purpura?

Sometimes called blood spots or skin hemorrhages, purpura refers to a situation which occurs when tiny blood vessels burst. When this occur, the blood in those vessels leaks out and forms little pools underneath the skin. This causes purple or red blotches to appear on the surface of the skin. Usually there are numerous blood spots in an area. The more spots, the more blood has escaped in that area.

Typically, purpura are small, usually between 4 and 10 millimeters in diameter. When they are this size, they may be referred to as petechiae. When they are larger - about 1 cm in diameter, a doctor may call them ecchymoses.

Many people mistake purpura for a rash, which occurs when the skin itself has a reaction to something. But unlike most rashes, when a person presses on a purpura, it stays the same red or purple color, instead of lightening.

Purpura can occur anywhere there are blood vessels, including the penis and surrounding areas.

Causes

Why do purpura appear, creating a red penis or other body part? The ruptures that cause blood to flow out can often be the result of a person’s platelet count being too low. The platelets are the part of the blood that enable the blood to clot when there is a cut or other wound. When the platelet count is insufficient, bleeding or bruising can result.

Sometimes platelets counts are too low because of a medical condition, such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (an autoimmune disorder), cancer, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or HIV. Sometimes chemotherapy can bring the situation about. And sometimes it can be a side effect of some medications.

In other instances, the purpura is unrelated to a diminished platelet count. In these cases, it may result from nutritional issues, especially a lack of vitamin C (also called scurvy). Sometimes steroids or sulfonamide drugs can be the culprit. And anything that affects the blood vessels, such as certain infectious or inflammatory diseases, can cause the ruptures.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the purpura, so getting an early diagnosis is a good idea; in other words, if a guy suspects his splotchy red penis (or other body part) may be due to purpura, he should see a doctor.

Often, the treatment involves building up the platelet count through use of various drugs. The length of treatment depends upon the cause and the severity of the purpura.

A red penis because of purpura may take a little while to resolve, but in the meantime, it’s important to maintain overall penis health. One way to help with this is via the regular use of a top drawer penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Look for a crème with vitamin A which, in addition to its anti-aging properties for penis skin, also helps to keep persistent penis odor at bay. The crème should also include alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant which fights excess free radicals. By doing so, it keeps the penis skin from succumbing to dangerous oxidative damage.

Small Penis Conundrum: Causes of a “Buried” Member

The size of a man’s penis is a topic of no small importance to most men, as is widely known. Despite the fact that many men with modest endowments perform like world class champions sexually, there is still a stigma attached to having a small penis. Indeed, many men sacrifice sensible penis health concerns in the quest for a larger member. But some men find themselves with a small penis situation that is fairly rare, that of the buried penis.

A hidden situation

Also called a hidden penis or a concealed penis, a buried penis is an "anomaly in which the penis is normal in size but appears to be small (i.e., the external genitalia appear small)." In other words, a boy or man has a penis shaft which is technically of average (or larger) length, but which seems much smaller because a considerable portion of it is buried beneath the skin at the base or sometimes in an enlarged scrotum. When a person is born with this situation, it is considered congenital. If it occurs later in life, it may be referred to as "acquired."

Congenital buried penises are considered very rare. When the condition is acquired, it tends to occur more often later in life, after adolescence and generally more often in senior years.

The degree to which the penis is buried can vary considerably. In some cases, it is less than an inch, in others several inches. Frequently in cases in which the patient’s foreskin is intact and in which there is a significant amount of the shaft buried, the penis foreskin may bunch together at the end of the shaft.

Causes

As indicated, in some cases a male is simply born with more of his penis hidden than usual. In some instances, this may be exacerbated if a child is circumcised too low on the shaft.

In acquired instances, the problem tends to be one related to obesity or to an enlarged scrotum. When obesity is the cause, layers of fat develop in the pubic area, which essentially engulf the base of the penis, covering more and more of it as the obesity increases.

When the scrotum is the issue, it usually is due to lymphedema, in which lymph fluid collects in the scrotum, causing it to swell abnormally large and to ‘swallow" the base of the penis as it does so.

Weight loss is generally recommended for men whose obesity is burying part of their penis. Treating lymphedema in the scrotum can be challenging and generally involves a combination of specific exercises, bandaging and compression garments.

In some cases, surgery may be recommended to try to correct the engulfment of the penis. There are several methods which have been employed in this area.

Effects

In extreme cases, buried penis can be so severe as to prevent a man from performing sexually with another partner. In addition, many boys and men experience severe psychosocial distress from the condition. They may be unwilling to get undressed in front of another person and may also simply be self-conscious about their condition even when clothed.

A buried penis can be a cause of great concern to a man. But like all men, those with a hidden penis should still pay attention to their overall penis health and regularly use a top drawer penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The best cremes contain a wide range of vitamins - A, B5, C, D, and E - which benefit from their topical application directly to the penis. It’s best to find a crème that also includes alpha lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and the oxidative damage they can bring.