Penile Infection

Penis infections, or the infection of the penis, can lead to a lot of discomforts, embarrassment, and frustrations. Infection of the penis may be caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses.

Infections of the penis may occur on the skin, foreskin, or in the urinary tube or urethra.

 

What are the Most Common Causes of Penile Infection?

 

1. Penile Yeast Infection

Candida commonly triggers penile yeast infections such as candida balanitis and candidiasis (thrush)

You can develop Candida with or without sexual activity.

Thrush can grow in your mouth, throat, vagina, rectum, penis, and other parts of your body.

Common Symptoms of Penile Yeast infection are:

• Itch or burn sensation on the tip of your penis or the foreskin
• Redness
• Feeling moist at the end of your penis
• Abnormal penile discharge that looks like cottage cheese
• Foul smell|
• Swelling around your penis tip and foreskin
• Sores or white patches on the skin
• Trouble pulling back your foreskin
• Painful urination
• Having trouble getting or keeping an erection

One of the potential complications of a penile yeast infection is recurring balanitis. If you suffer from diabetes you are at an increased risk for Balanitis.

 

2. Balanitis

Balanitis is inflammation of the glans (head) of the penis. Balanitis infection is commonly found in uncircumcised males.

Due to the moist and warm area under the foreskin, it is an optimal environment for yeast and bacteria to grow.

Older males who have phimosis (tight foreskin) are at higher risk of getting Balanitis repeatedly.

Common Symptoms of Balanitis include:

• Pain and irritation on the head of the penis.
• Redness or red patches on the head of the penis.
• Itching under the foreskin.
• Swelling
• White discharge (smegma) under the foreskin
• Foul smell
• Sores or lesions on the glans
• Penile discharge

 

3. Posthitis (Inflamed foreskin)

Posthitis is inflammation of the foreskin. The foreskin is a thin layer of skin that covers the head of the penis. Inflammation of the foreskin may result from bacterial or fungal infections.

Alternatively, poor hygiene, allergies, or skin conditions may also cause posthitis.

Common Symptoms of Posthitis include:

• Swelling of the foreskin
• Redness of the foreskin
• Itching
• Smelly discharge
• Pain during urination
• Pain during ejaculation
• Tenderness

 

4. Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria.

Chlamydia is most commonly causing infection in the genital area, and chlamydia can infect the eyes as well.

Common Symptoms of Chlamydia (STD) are:

Rectal buscharge

• Penile Discharge from the penis
• Testicular pain in men
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Early-stage Chlamydia infections may often cause few or no signs and symptoms.

The complications of Chlamydia, if left untreated, you may develop the following conditions:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in Women
• Infections in newborns
• Infection near the testicles (epididymitis)
• Prostate gland infection
• Infertility
• Reactive arthritis
• Ectopic pregnancy

 

5. Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

It is essential to understand that it is transmitted via close (skin-to-skin) contact with someone who has open sores.

Currently, there is no cure for Herpes; you can only suppress it with medication.

Common Symptoms of Genital Herpes are:

• Small red bumps or tiny white blisters
• Ulcers.
• Scabs.
• Discharge for the lesion on Penis & Scrotum - (Buttocks and thighs. Anus, Mouth, Vaginal area, External genitals, Cervix)

The complications of Herpes, if left untreated, you may develop the following conditions:

• Bladder problems
• Meningitis
• Prostate gland infection
• Rectal inflammation (proctitis)

 

6. Genital warts and Human PapillomaVirus (HPV)

Genital wart is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) virus one of the most common STDs. HPV is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has HPV on their skin. Learn more about Genital warts removal

Common Symptoms of Human papillomavirus (HPV) are:

Genital warts

• in or around the penis
• On the groin
• On the vulva & On the Cervix for women

The complication of HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer, and cancer of the back of the throat.

Currently, there is no cure for HPV. However, 9-valent HPV vaccines may help prevent HPV-related infections such as genital warts, anal cancer, throat cancer, penile cancer, and cervical cancer.

HPV prevention is vital for men, as the virus has been linked to uncommon cancers such as penile, anal, and head and neck.

 

7. Syphilis

Syphilis infection usually spreads through direct contact with syphilis sores (ulcers).

People with Syphilis have a greater risk of HIV infection because of the existence of open sores.

Common Symptoms of Syphilis (STD) are:

a. Primary stage

Painless, firm, Small sores and it typically heals without treatment.

b. Secondary stage

Brown-reddish rash appears on the genital area, palms, and soles.?

Other symptoms include swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.

c. Latent stage

During this phase, the syphilis bacteria are still alive in your body, but you have no signs or symptoms of the infection If you do not receive treatment, you can continue to have syphilis in your body for years without any signs or symptoms.

d. Tertiary Stage

Tertiary syphilis is very serious and would occur 10-30 years after your infection began. In tertiary syphilis, the disease damages your internal organs and can result in death.

Complications such as meningitis, stroke, dementia, and heart disease may occur, with severe consequences, even death.

 

8. Gonorrhea (STD)

Gonorrhoea is usually easy to treat, but delaying treatment can result in severe and permanent complications.

Common Symptoms of Gonorrhea are:

• white, green, or yellow discharge from the penis
• pain or swelling in the testicles
• inflammation or swelling of the foreskin
• rectal discharge
• itching around the anus
• rectal soreness
• rectal bleeding
• pain during bowel movements
• conjunctivitis (pink eye)

A person may have a throat infection from gonorrhoea, but they might not notice any symptoms.

 

Some common STDs will display symptoms after their incubating periods. However, some STDs are asymptomatic (not all STDs will show signs). So it is recommended that you get Routine STD screening if you are sexually active and have more than 1 partner.