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How to Keep Your Penis Healthy

11 min read
How to Keep Your Penis Healthy

How healthy is your penis? Seriously - depending on numerous factors ranging from medical conditions to lifestyle choices, your penis may not be as healthy as it could be.

The variety of things that can impact your penile health is vast. Conditions such as erectile dysfunction and sexually transmitted diseases may be what springs to mind at first, but your age, personal hygiene, diet, and level of exercise can also play a role - and that's just to name a few.

We've created this guide to give you a quick but reliable guide to all the factors that can affect the health of your penis (and potentially your sex life), as well as what steps you can take to improve your penile health, regardless of whether you have any particular condition.

Some penis health issues can be resolved without medical attention but some may require a visit to the doctor - so we've also gone over when you should contact a medical professional.

At a Glance:

  • Penile health is impacted by various factors including medical conditions, hygiene, lifestyle choices, and age.
  • Common penile conditions include erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, and sexually transmitted infections.
  • Maintaining penile health involves practicing safe sex, good hygiene, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and limiting alcohol and tobacco use.
  • Penile health often reflects overall health, so improving general health can have a positive impact.
  • Seek medical advice for any penile issues, especially persistent pain, abnormal growths, or difficulty with erections.

 

What conditions can affect penis health?

Penile health conditions - of which there are many - can have various effects on the health of your penis, resulting in a range of symptoms.

Here are some of the more common conditions that affect the penis:

1. Erectile dysfunction

Otherwise known as impotence or simply ED, erectile dysfunction is a condition in which people with penises are either unable to get an erection or unable to maintain an erection long enough to have sex successfully.

As mentioned on the UK's NHS website, some common causes of ED include mental health conditions (such as anxiety and depression), hormone issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

2. Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease is where scar tissue - also known as plaque - builds up underneath the skin of the penis, particularly in the elastic membrane responsible for keeping erections stiff. This plaque can then begin to pull on penis tissue, causing it to bend during erections, sometimes causing pain and difficulty having sex.

The development of scar tissue plaque - and in turn, Peyronie's disease - is usually caused by injuries to the penis (which can include micro-injuries and tiny tears in tissue) or autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

3. Phimosis

In some people, the foreskin is too tight to be retracted over the glans or penis head - this is a condition known as phimosis. Phimosis can be physiologic, where the foreskin is tight from birth and the tightness doesn't resolve on its own, or pathologic, where the tightness is caused by infection, inflammation, or scarring.

Sometimes phimosis can cause the foreskin to get stuck beneath the glans in a condition called paraphimosis, which can require medical treatment.

Phimosis treatments vary from ointments and stretching, if possible, to circumcision in severe cases.

4. Sexually transmitted infections/diseases

STIs/STDs can affect your penis in a number of ways, with many having symptoms in common. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can both cause pain/burning during urination, discomfort/pain in the testicles, and unusual discharge from the penis. Genital herpes, on the other hand, can cause a painful rash and open sores around the genitals and anus.

Most common sexually transmitted infections are either completely curable or at least treatable with the use of medicines - treatment varies based on the disease. Prevention is the best way to avoid them entirely.

5. Penile cancer

While various cancers can affect penis health, penile cancer can have more of a direct impact. Penile cancer is rare, and most common in men over 50 years old. It usually affects the foreskin or glans, but it can also affect the skin on the shaft.

Some of the symptoms caused by penile cancer include growths, lumps, sores, and rashes, as well as unusual discharge or bleeding.

It can also cause the skin of either your foreskin or shaft to change in color.

Penile cancer is quite treatable when found early - it has a 5-year survival rate of 79% when it hasn't spread from the penis. Specific treatment depends on the size and type of cancer, its location, and whether or not it has spread. Age and general health are also taken into consideration.

6. Penile fracture

Another form of penis injury is the penile fracture. Penile fractures are generally caused by direct, often blunt trauma to the penis. Just over half of the time, this trauma occurs during sexual activity. Penile fracture often causes damage to blood vessels and tissue membranes, resulting in pain, bruising, internal bleeding, and sometimes a bent penis.

A penile fracture requires quite urgent medical attention, and most of the time can be treated effectively with surgery. The exact treatment, as well as recovery time, depends on the severity of the fracture and the resulting damage to the penis, which can sometimes affect the urethra.

7. Priapism

Priapism is a condition in which the penis gets stuck in a state of erection, even without any stimulation. These erections are often quite painful and can cause serious complications if they last more than 3 to 4 hours, due to how the blood causing that's causing the erect penis being deprived of oxygen.

The condition is more common in people with sickle cell disease.

Still, it can also be caused by some antidepressants, some blood-thinning medicines, some blood-pressure medicines, some erectile dysfunction treatments, some drugs, and blood disorders such as leukemia.

Regardless of the cause priapism can usually be relieved with medical intervention. Often this is achieved by draining the blood with either a needle or by making a small cut, both of which are done under anesthetic. Tablets and injections can also resolve the issue.

What factors impact penis health?

A healthy penis is a penis that allows you to successfully urinate and have sex both for reproduction, and recreation. Specific penile health conditions can cause problems here, but so can various other factors. Many of these factors are under your control, but some are not.

Here are some other factors that can affect penis health:

FACTOR DESCRIPTION
General health conditions

Non-penis health conditions can have various knock-on effects on the health of your penis.

Both high blood pressure and obesity have been linked to erectile dysfunction; these common conditions can result in damage to your circulatory system which includes the arteries responsible for supplying blood to the penis during erections.

Age

Both of the aforementioned health conditions (high blood pressure and obesity become more common as you get older, meaning you're more likely to experience erectile dysfunction as you age.

Additionally, your testosterone levels will begin to drop, which can also affect your penis. Furthermore, the longer you live, the more likely it is you'll experience penile injuries as well as penile cancer.

Hygiene

Poor penile hygiene can result in a build-up of bacteria in areas that really should be kept nice and clean.

An elevated presence of bacteria can result in numerous health conditions such as balanitis. The longer bacteria are left to thrive, the higher your risk of developing a serious infection - not to mention an unpleasant odor.

Medication

Certain medications can be a factor in penile health conditions, mainly erectile dysfunction.

2022 study analyzed the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database and found that the top 5 medicines that can cause ED were 5-ARIs (enlarged prostate and hair loss medication), and medicines involved with neuropsychiatry, cardiology, dermatology, and immunology.

Alcohol intake and smoking

Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes are bad for your health in general, and this extends to your penis. 

Alcohol can cause various sexual dysfunctions including, premature ejaculation and low libido, and both alcohol and smoking can contribute to high blood pressure, a cause of erectile dysfunction.

Sexual relationships

There are various ways your sexual relationships can affect your penis health. Who you've having sex with, and whether or not it's safe sex, can increase your chances of contracting an STI.

If you're having rough sex, you have a higher chance of suffering a penile fracture or any other kind of penile trauma.

Diet

Your diet can have both negative and positive effects on the health of your penis. An unbalanced diet too high in salt, fats, and sugars can contribute to high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, resulting in damaged arteries, blood vessels, and nerves - which can factor into erectile dysfunction.

Certain foods, however, contain vitamins and nutrients that improve penile health. Spinach, for example, contains folate, which is correlated with lower levels of ED, and magnesium, which boosts blood flow testosterone.

Exercise

Exercise can play a role in reducing the risk of developing obesity and problems with your circulatory system, which can be detrimental to penis health - making it necessary for maintaining a healthy penis.

Furthermore, specific exercises targeting your pelvic floor (Kegels) can also improve penis health, reducing ED and premature ejaculation while also preventing stress incontinence.

 

What steps can you take to improve your penis health?

Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do to help keep your penis healthy, many of which fit in very well with daily life. Overall, lots of these steps synergize with keeping healthy in general, so they don't just benefit your penis.

1. Keep an eye on hygiene

Cleaning your penis regularly is the best way to prevent a build-up of bacteria, which can at best cause inflammation and discomfort, and at worst cause pain and infections. Take care to wash the entirety of your genitals, as well as the skin and hair around them, with warm, soapy water. Don't forget to wash under your foreskin if you have one too.

2. Practice safe sex

Safe sex is a simple way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases - many of which can be very detrimental to the health of your penis. Condoms are the best way to practice safe sex as they're cheap, easy to acquire, and simple to use.

They also come in multiple varieties, such as ribbed and dotted condoms, all of which can add some extra fun. We'd recommend using thicker, extra-safe condoms for increased peace of mind.

3. Quit smoking

Quitting smoking can prevent and reverse a lot of the damage caused by the addictive habit, which includes erectile dysfunction and impotence. Quitting smoking is also, unfortunately, a lot easier said than done.

Thankfully there are many options available to smokers in this day and age. The market is full of tobacco-less nicotine products designed to help you get unhooked from cigarettes, and there are also support groups you can join for further help, and tracking apps to help remind you of how far you've come.

4. Limit alcohol consumption

Similarly to quitting smoking, limiting your consumption of alcohol can help reduce damage to your penis, which also includes ED as well as low sex drive and premature ejaculation. Some people will find cutting down alcohol intake to fewer than 2 drinks a day (as the CDC recommends) quite easy, but it can be extremely difficult if you're dependent on the substance.

The link above also includes numerous strategies to help you cut down, including setting strict limits, counting drinks using an app, managing any drinking triggers, and seeking support from other people. Additionally, contact a healthcare professional if you feel you're having trouble with substance abuse.

5. Practice regular exercise

Exercise is great for your body, and the knock-on effects that it can have on your penile health are a fantastic bonus. It doesn't just make you feel good - regular aerobic exercise has also been shown to improve erectile function. Studies have shown that at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (or equivalent) are optimal for improving overall health.

As long as you're moving more, you should be able to see some improvements in your general and sexual health. Even if you have limited mobility, there are most likely gentler exercises that would work for you - speak with a healthcare provider if you need any help.

6. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet

Much like exercise, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is amazing for your general health, which, in turn, positively impacts the health of your penis. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet isn't just about cutting out foods and losing weight - it's about making sure you're consuming the right vitamins, minerals, and enough calories to function properly.

An often-recommended diet is the Mediterranean diet, which is full of whole foods, wholegrain carbs, fruits, and vegetables - while still leaving room for some meat, dairy, and sugar. The Mediterranean diet can reduce your risk of developing circulatory problems (which can negatively affect your penis) and help you live longer.

Illustration of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid

7. Undergo a sexual health screening

Sexual health screenings test you for a variety of STIs (and other sexual health issues) depending on which demographic you're a part of - including but not limited to your sex and gender, your age, who you're having sex with, and what diagnoses you already have. The CDC has published guidelines for which screenings are appropriate for you, and you can sort them by disease, and by population.

While screenings are a great way to ensure your penis stays nice and healthy, but they aren't a substitute for being proactive and practicing safe sex.

When to see a doctor

Though the prospect of speaking to a doctor about your penis and penile health can be slightly embarrassing, it's always worth it to guarantee your health and to prevent any issues from getting any worse. If you feel like you have a problem, and have easy access to healthcare, you're always better safe than sorry to visit them.

If you suspect you may have a penile health issue, we'd suggest first taking stock of what's going on down there.

Are you struggling to achieve or maintain an erection? Is your penis painfully veering off to one side when you get hard? Have you noticed any new growths, rashes, or unusual discharge? Make some notes on your issues - this may help when it comes to explaining them to a doctor.

Pain is always a red flag - especially pain that worsens over time. Itching and discomfort may also be signs of larger problems, but if it's not getting in the way of your daily life, we'd recommend ensuring you're keeping your penis clean and, keeping an eye on it for a little while. If discomfort doesn't go away or turns into pain, we'd recommend a visit to the doctor.

If you believe you may have contracted an STI, we'd suggest getting a test as soon as you can. Though condoms do prevent some STIs, they don't stop the spread of all of them - so avoid sex until you've either received the all-clear or have been treated.

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Summary

The health of your penis can be affected by a huge range of factors, from rare penis-specific health conditions to the natural process of aging. Anything that prevents you from being able to urinate and have sex should be considered a penis health problem, and warrants looking into no matter how serious you think it is.

Speaking to a doctor about your penis can be daunting, but it's always well worth it if you have a problem that is negatively impacting your life.

Generally, penile health correlates with your overall health - so anything you can do to ensure you're living a healthy lifestyle will help boost the health of your penis. Good hygiene, exercising, maintaining a healthy diet, and undergoing sexual health screenings when appropriate are all great methods of ensuring you stay in good penile health.

Curious about maintaining your penile health?

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