Understanding erectile pain

Lapeyronie’s disease is a kind of inflammation inside the penis that causes the formation of scar tissue. This causes the penis to bend during erection, making penetration difficult and sometimes impossible. This condition accounts for about two-thirds of erectile dysfunction.
Lapeyronie’s disease is often painless when the penis is at rest. On the other hand, during erection, blood pressure will cause pain precisely at the level of the inflammatory plaques (composed of fragmented elastic fibrils and disorganized collagen) formed by the inflammation of the albuginea. Pain during erection is therefore the first symptom of Lapeyronie’s disease. In very rare cases, these pains can persist even when the penis is at rest. This can lead to deformation of the penis and sexual problems.
The origins of Lapeyronie’s disease are still poorly understood, as it is neither hereditary nor congenital. This pathology appears during the course of life gradually or sometimes suddenly. It is often found in diabetics, patients suffering from hypercholesterolemia, Ledderhosis or Dupuytren.

Priapism is characterized by an intense erection that lasts for several hours without any sexual stimulation. This erectile dysfunction can sometimes be very painful and never leads to ejaculation. During the erection in case of priapism, the glans remains soft and is not swollen at all.

There are three forms of priapism:

• Venous priapism (more frequent, leads to permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated quickly),
• arterial priapism (not very painful, sets in over several days),
• chronic intermittent priapism (related to sickle cell disease and causes a nocturnal erection that can lead to a fibroid of the corpus cavernosum over time).

The causes of priapism vary and may be unknown. In some cases, this condition may be due to the use of erectile dysfunction drugs (Viagra), certain blood pressure treatments, blood disorders, exposure to toxic substances or trauma.

Among the causes related to blood diseases, we can mention sickle cell disease, certain cancers and leukemias, blood drainage disorders through the veins of the corpus cavernosum or myeloproliferative syndrome.

Penile fracture refers to the rupture of the membrane that surrounds the corpora cavernosa of the penis (albuginea). Sometimes referred to as a “coital slip”, penile fracture is usually caused by heavy pressure on the erect penis during intercourse.
The erect penis contains blood under great pressure to keep it taut and rigid during penetration. Even though the penis does not contain any bones, it can bend if it is not moved properly. A cracking sound is often heard that distorts the penis and swells the testicles. A hematoma quickly forms on the surface of the penis and intense pain sets in, especially if the urethra is ruptured. In this case, blood can flow through the meatus.

Balanoposthitis is an inflammation of the glans penis that can affect a man in need of sex, regardless of age. Balanoposthitis is when the inflammation also affects the foreskin. This condition usually manifests itself as irritation, itching, burning, sores and a strong odor. Inflammation and rubbing are often painful.

Balanitis is generally caused by the proliferation of a fungus called Candida albicans. Naturally present in the flora of the skin, the uncontrolled development of this fungus can cause the first symptoms of the pathology. The adoption of an unhealthy and inadequate lifestyle can also aggravate this disorder.

In some cases, balanitis can be caused by streptococcus. It can also be accompanied by chlamydia, a serious sexually transmitted infection. Balanoposthitis can also be caused by an allergy. In this case, it is essential to find the allergenic source in order to avoid it.

To avoid this pathology, it is important to adopt a good intimate hygiene to prevent these infections. Avoid the use of antiseptic soaps and overly aggressive toilets.

The frenulum is a membrane that connects the glans penis and the foreskin. It plays an important role in triggering ejaculation and sexual stimulation. If it is too short, it can cause pain during erection, especially during masturbation or sexual intercourse.

There is no risk of frenulum rupture in circumcised men. Circumcision involves cutting the frenulum and removing the foreskin from the penis. Therefore, circumcised men do not have to worry about this phenomenon.

A rupture of the penile frenulum is a fairly large tear in this membrane. It usually occurs during sexual intercourse and manifests itself as a fairly large amount of blood flow, especially if the artery is ruptured. This phenomenon often occurs in the middle of sexual intercourse in young men who have just begun their sexual life. Often painless, it can be painful in some cases.

Idiopathic phimosis is as common in children as in adults. This anomaly is characterized by an overly tight foreskin that prevents the glans penis from being uncovered. This causes pain when the patient tries to untwist the glans while erect or at rest.

Most newborns are born with phimosis. With grooming and spontaneous erections, this anomaly disappears naturally. Only 11% of three-year-olds have phimosis, compared to 1% of adults over the age of 18. This is why phimosis is not usually seen in children before the age of 3.

This abnormality can also be seen in adults or adolescents during erections. In most cases, it is a phimosis that has been present since childhood, but has gone unnoticed for one reason or another.

The main symptom of this anomaly is the inability to retract the foreskin over the glans. It can cause local inflammation or infection due to the retention of smegma that cannot be evacuated in adults and children. It can also cause pain or discomfort during an erection.

Secondary phimosis is an inflammatory condition of the foreskin that is characterized by the loss of elasticity in this ring of tissue. This will cause small, painful cracks at the tip of the foreskin. This phenomenon can be linked to a forced unhooding in childhood, which leads to cracks or inflammation. This is called sclerotic phimosis. The preputial ring is then very fibrous, narrow and thick.