It is obviously alarming to experience a painful erection, and in truth, a painful erection is never normal. But why do some men struggle with them? Here’s what you should know about painful erections.
Causes of Painful Erections
Men experience erections when they become aroused due to an increase in blood flow to the penis. The additional blood causes enlargement and stiffening of the penile tissue. An erection is essential for penetrative intercourse, but pain is never a normal thing to experience with an erection.
There are several different causes for painful erections, some more common than others and some more treatable than others. Here are five reasons you may experience a painful erection.
Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronies disease is a condition that causes an abnormal curve to develop in the penis. The exact cause isn’t fully understood but is thought to be due to scar tissue buildup. This can be from a history of injury or sexual trauma to the penis and is more common in men as they age.
The scar tissue that develops in the penis is hard and does not stretch, so when the penis fills with blood to create an erection, the tissue is unable to expand, which can lead to pain.
Depending on the severity of Peyronie’s Disease, men can experience pain in their penis even when it is flaccid, but the pain is typically only felt while getting an erection or during sexual intercourse. Certain factors can increase the risk of developing PD, including:
- A family history of Peyronies disease
- Engaging in vigorous sexual activity that causes injury
- Diabetes
- Erectile dysfunction
- Having a connective tissue disease like Dupuytren’s contracture
- Having an autoimmune condition
- History of prostate cancer surgery.
Priapism
Priapism is an erection that lasts for hours despite there being no sexual stimulation. There are three types of priapism men can experience, including ischemic, intermittent, and nonischemic priapism. Ischemic priapism is the most common type of priapism that causes pain, and it occurs when blood is unable to leave the penis after an erection. Prescription medications, recreational drugs, venomous insect bites, blood cancers like leukemia, spinal cord injury, and penile cancer are the most common causes of ischemic priapism.
Penile Fracture
Penile fractures can occur due to blunt force trauma to the penis during vigorous sexual activity. A penile fracture is a rupture of the fibrous membrane that surrounds the corpora cavernosa, the two spongy cylinders in the penis that fill with blood that cause an erection.
A penile fracture is considered a medical emergency as it can lead to permanent changes in the shape of the penis, inability to achieve an erection, and difficulty urinating. Pain is usually felt at the time of the fracture, but in some cases, pain can persist, and erections after a penile fracture can be painful.
Penile Tumors
In some cases, painful erections can be caused by tumors within the penis that affect the blood vessels or nerves. When tumors cause painful erections, the pain is typically triggered by the tumor pressing on a nearby nerve as the penis becomes erect.
Lichen Sclerosis of the Penis
Penile lichen sclerosis is a rare condition that usually affects uncircumcised men. The cause of lichen sclerosis is unknown but thought to be an autoimmune condition that causes a progressive hardening of penile tissue that not only causes painful erections much can lead to itching, redness, and swelling of the penis.
Treatment and When to See Your Doctor
The treatment for a painful erection varies depending on the cause. Typically, treatment can include injections into the penis to break up scar tissue, medications, and surgery.
If you are experiencing painful erections, talking with a urologist right away is essential. They will identify the cause and help you treat it to ensure you do not have any long-lasting damage.
Don’t suffer from painful erections – call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment today!