Are You Sick?

Is this your symptom?

• Penis or scrotum symptoms such as rash, pain, discharge, itching, and swelling
• Discharge from the end of the penis
• This care guide covers symptoms not caused by an injury

Symptoms

• Penis symptoms include rash, pain, itching, lumps (warts), foreskin problems and swelling. Discharge from the end of the penis can occur.
• Scrotum symptoms include pain and swelling of the testicle(s), itching and rash.
• Genital pain due to an injury is not covered in this care guide.

Causes of Rashes or Itching of the Penis or Scrotum

• Skin Irritants. Most rashes on the penis or scrotum are caused by skin irritants. Hand-to-penis contact is normal when passing urine. So, the rash is most likely from an irritant that was on the hands. Examples are plants (such as weeds) or chemicals (such as bug spray). Fiberglass, pet saliva or even food can also be irritants. Rashes are more common in the summer. Reason: you are outdoors and have more contact with plants and pollens.
• Fungal Infections. Fungal infections of the penis often occur from having sex with a female who has a yeast infection. Symptoms include itching, burning and redness around the head of the penis (and under the foreskin) and a white discharge, unpleasant smell, and difficulty pulling back the foreskin.
• Skin conditions, such as psoriasis, which cause itching and can affect any part of the body including the genitalia.
• Pubic Lice. These are tiny insects that live among pubic hair. They cause itching due to an allergic reaction to the saliva in their bites. You may see small blue or red spots on your pubic area or thighs where you have been bitten. There may be irritation as a result of scratching. Itching is worse at night, when the lice are most active.

Causes of Lumps or Spots on the Penis or Scrotum. The majority of lumps on the penis are normal and harmless. Some common causes include:

• Molluscum contagiosum. This is a viral infection that causes small pearly lumps with a dimple on the top. These can appear on any part of the body and go away in their own in time.
• Genital warts are caused by the wart virus and look like small cauliflower-like lumps and appear on their own or in groups. They also go away on their own in time but can be passed on to sexual contacts. Use of a condom will help prevent them from spreading.
• Genital Herpes. Caused by the Herpes simplex virus. Can cause painful blisters on the penis or groin area. Seek medical help as soon as symptoms start. Avoid sexual contact until symptoms have resolved.
• Lymphocele. This is a hard lump that appears after sex or masturbating. It is caused by short-term blockage of the lymph channels. No treatment is needed and the lump resolves by itself very quickly.
• Peyronie’s Disease. This is a hard, flat lump that develops on one side of the shaft of the penis. It can impact the ability to get an erection. It can be caused by aggressive sex or masturbation.
• Penile cancer is rare, but if you develop a lump on your penis, see your doctor to get it checked.

Types of Foreskin Retraction (pulling back) Problems

• Phimosis. This is the inability to retract (pull back) the foreskin. There may be problems with urination, urinary infection, recurrent infection under the foreskin and sexual function. It can occur due to scarring from infection or forceful retraction of the foreskin. If very tight, the foreskin may swell (like a balloon) when urinating. This is due to urine collecting under the foreskin.
• Paraphimosis. Forceful retraction can cause the foreskin to get stuck behind the head of the penis. This can cause severe pain and swelling. It's a medical emergency.
• Bleeding. If retraction is forceful, it can cause a small cut. This cut may cause a small amount of bleeding and pain.
• Foreskin Infection. This means an infection under the foreskin. The infection can start in a cut caused by forceful retraction, poor hygiene or having sex with a partner who has an infection. The main symptom is a red and tender foreskin. Pus may also ooze out to the foreskin opening. Passing urine is painful.
• Urine Retention (serious). Can't pass urine or just dribbles urine, despite wanting to go.

Causes of Pain, Swelling and Itching of the Scrotum

• Torsion of the Testis (serious). The testicle twists and cuts off its blood supply. It is always painful. Pain may go up into the lower part of the abdomen. The scrotum becomes swollen and tender. There may also be nausea, vomiting or sometimes fever. Needs surgery right away to save the testicle. All males with a swollen or painful scrotum are seen as an emergency.
• Epididymitis. This is an infection of the epididymis, a tube that stores the sperm made by the testicle. There is one attached to the back of each testicle. The infection is always very painful and the scrotum will be swollen, red or warmer than usual. Usually affects one side only. Caused by bacteria, often a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Orchitis. This is an infection of the testicle which causes swelling and tenderness of the testis. It is always painful. It's mainly caused by viruses, such as mumps. Less common than epididymitis.
• Inguinal Hernia. A hernia is a loop of intestine that slides into the scrotum. Any new bulge that comes and goes is likely to be a hernia. Most hernias need surgery to fix them. Most of the time, the repair can be scheduled. If the hernia can't slide back into the abdomen, emergency surgery is needed. Hernias can also occur as a swelling in the groin area without swelling of the scrotum.
• Varicocele. A clump of swollen veins above the testis, often on the left side. It becomes much smaller after lying down and draining. It is often painless. It is harmless, but can affect fertility.
• Hydrocele. This occurs when fluid collects in the scrotum as a result of injury or inflammation. Usually painless and harmless, but sometimes is a sign of testicular cancer. So, it is important to see your doctor if you have swelling in your scrotum.
• Hematoma (Blood Clot) of Scrotum. Blunt injury can cause a large blood clot to form inside the scrotum. Sometimes, it needs to be drained. This can happen from being hit by a ball during sports or kicked in the scrotum.
• Testicular Cancer (serious). This is rare compared to other cancers, but is the most common cancer in males aged 15 to 35 years. It is very treatable if caught early. It starts as a lump in the testicle which might be tender. The scrotum may be swollen due to fluid. You may feel a dull ache in the scrotum. Back pain or swelling/tenderness of the breast area are other symptoms.