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Penis Hurt During Sex: What can you Do?

7 min read
Penis Hurt During Sex: What can you Do?

Sex is so well known for being pleasurable that partaking in sexual activity is also known as “getting lucky”.  However, sometimes sex may lead to people being left with pain rather than pleasure. One particular area which may be susceptible to pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse is the penis.

With it being a sensitive area, gentle rubbing of the penis may lead to individuals becoming sexually aroused. However, given its sensitivity and the fact that the male genitals are external, people may experience pain due to penile injury. For example, during sports collisions or even sexual activity.

Factors that cause penile pain can also extend beyond physical injuries. For example, infections, allergies and wider health issues. In this article, we’ll be exploring penile pain in the context of sexual intercourse and identifying some of the possible causes of penile pain during sex.

TL;DR SUMMARY:

  • Men may experience penile pain during sexual intercourse.
  • The causes of penile pain during intercourse can vary.
  • Causes may include physical injury, infections such as STIs, allergies and health conditions.
  • Pain may occur during or after sexual intercourse.
  • Although individuals may speculate, penile pain should always be examined by a doctor.

Main causes of penile pain during/after sex

Penile pain during intercourse may be caused by a number of factors. In this section, we’ve highlighted some of the potential causes of penis pain during sex as detailed below.

Physical Injury

Like many physical activities, individuals partaking in sexual contact may run the risk of injury. One injury that men may experience during sexual intercourse is a penile fracture. It’s said that while penile fracturing is uncommon, the majority of penile fractures occur with direct trauma during sex. 

It’s said that while penile fracturing is uncommon, the majority of penile fractures occur with direct trauma during sex.

Trauma to an erect penis may lead to increased pressure in the Cavernosa which could potentially result in ruptures. Research suggests that while a penile fracture is rare, sex under stressful conditions could potentially increase the chance of one occurring.

Phimosis (foreskin problems)

Phimosis is when an individual can’t retract the skin that covers the head of their penis (foreskin or prepuce). Individuals with phimosis may notice a tight band of foreskin around the tip of their penis that prevents retraction.

Phimosis can take two forms; physiological and pathological. Physiological phimosis refers to when tight skin is present at birth. The tight skin may become looser over time and resolve the issue. The condition may be common among children between the ages of 2 and 4 years old. Pathological phimosis may be associated with infection and irritation.

Balanitis

Balanitis describes when the penile glans (tip of the penis) become inflamed. Some of the common signs for men presenting with balanitis may be penile pain and redness. One of the most common causes of balanitis is poor penile hygiene among uncircumcised males.

The moist warm conditions under the foreskin of an uncircumcised male may create conditions allowing bacteria to grow. Although balanitis is not a sexually transmitted disease and while the disease itself is not transferable, there’s a possibility that the bacteria that causes balanitis may be transferred between sexual partners.

STIs

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that can be transferred between sexual partners and may lead to a range of undesirable symptoms. It’s possible that some STIs may lead to genital discomfort.

If you believe that you have an STI you should refrain from sexual activity and seek professional medical guidance to examine your symptoms. The table below highlights some examples of sexually transmitted infections that may lead to pain or discomfort during sex.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE DESCRIPTION
Chlamydia In men, chlamydia may lead to pain in the pelvic region with symptoms including (but not limited to) inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) and prostatitis. 
Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is an STI associated with unusual discharge and affects an estimated 86.9 million adults annually.

It may present as urethritis among men.
Trichomonas

As this infection has been traditionally considered benign it’s possibly an overlooked STI.

Among men, it may lead to urethritis, prostatitis and reduced fertility.

Genital warts

Genital warts are a common STI that can be brought on by human papillomavirus (HPV).

With physical symptoms including burning, pain, and obstruction.

Lack of lubrication

Lubrication can help to reduce genital friction during sexual intimacy. Where intravaginal sex is concerned, vaginas are typically self-lubricating. However, if there is a lack of lubrication then genital discomfort may occur. An external lubricant can be purchased and applied to the genital region to reduce the friction experienced during intimacy.

A number of lubricants are available for purchase, but it’s important to consider the products' ingredients in order to avoid triggering allergies. Water-based lubricants are generally considered one of the less harsh types of lube, with one study associating them with high sexual satisfaction and low rates of genital symptoms.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a condition that refers to the inflammation of the prostate. The prostate is the walnut gland which is situated between the penis and the bladder, the gland plays a key role in the creation of semen.  

Prostatitis symptoms may affect an individual during sexual intercourse and possibly cause pain. Some examples of prostatitis-like symptoms are said to include penile discomfort and pain as well as pain during or after ejaculation.

Peyronie’s disease (PD)

Peyronie’s disease (PD) can lead to an individual’s penis changing shape, with the development of penile curvature a common sign. The development of Peyronie’s disease may be a result of damage to the penis and the formation of scar tissue. 

The disease involves a thickened area (known as plaque) developing in the shaft of the penis. This development may result in the penis curving while flaccid or erect. It may lead to the penis becoming painful and may even cause psychological discomfort and sexual dysfunction.

 

Graph shared from this blog: Peyronie's Disease: Causes and Treatment of Curved Penis

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that may affect an individual’s genitals. The condition can reduce a person’s quality of life, with research suggesting that psoriasis patients may subsequently develop depression.

An individual may develop what’s known as genital psoriasis, a condition that may be considered embarrassing and may even be misdiagnosed as an STI or allergic reaction. It’s said that roughly 63% of psoriasis patients develop genital psoriasis in their lifetime.

Postorgasmic illness syndrome

Postorgasmic illness syndrome is considered a rare condition in which an individual develops allergy symptoms after they achieve an orgasm. The symptoms can be similar to those of the flu, and occur when a person achieves orgasm during masturbation, intercourse with a partner or even while sleeping. 

Postorgasmic illness syndrome is considered a rare condition in which an individual develops allergy symptoms after they achieve an orgasm

Symptoms may arise any time from seconds to hours after a person reaches an orgasm, lasting up to 7 days. The symptoms can resolve themselves and may include (but aren’t limited to) feeling weak, fatigued, headaches, fever, mood changes and a lack of concentration.

Allergic reactions to condoms

Latex is a common ingredient often used in condoms and other items such as gloves. It’s possible that an individual may have an allergic reaction to latex which could result in penile itching and swelling. When latex condoms are used during intercourse, both partners may be susceptible to adverse reactions if they have an allergy.

To avoid triggering a latex allergy, alternative options may be considered. This may include using a different type of contraception, or a condom made from a different material. An example of an alternative condom would be lambskin condoms. However, these are said to only protect against pregnancy but not against sexually transmitted infections.

Graph shared from this blog: Can't Stay Hard With Condoms: What to Do About CAEP

Penile Mondor’s disease (PMD)

Mondor’s disease is considered a rare condition that may be more commonly associated with the breast and chest wall. However, penile Mondor disease (PMD) refers to the inflammation of the penis’s superficial dorsal vein.

The disease is self-limiting and may be associated with psychological stress and sexual incompatibility. The penile vein may become hard, with patients complaining of pain or throbbing. The pain may become more intense when the penis is erect.

Identifying the cause of the pain

If you experience penile pain during sexual intercourse, you may be wondering what’s causing it. This article does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing pain during sexual intercourse you should always consult your doctor for a professional opinion.

Some of the indicators of penile pain may include the duration of the symptoms, when they occur and the description of the pain.

WHEN IT OCCURS
 DESCRIPTION 

Pain during sex

If the pain occurs during sex, it may indicate that a physical injury has occurred.

Examples of these may include penile fractures or damage caused by a lack of lubrication.

Pain after sex

If pain occurs after sex, it could indicate a reaction has taken place. Examples of such could include an allergic reaction or postorgasmic illness syndrome, which could present itself anywhere between seconds and hours after intercourse.

You may want to be mindful of the factors above, but should be aware that only a qualified medical professional can diagnose the root cause of penile pain during sex

When to see a doctor

You should consult a medical professional as soon as you start to experience penile pain. Although some pain may go away by itself, penile pain during sexual intercourse may be an indication of a health condition, allergic reaction or an infection. Your doctor will be able to evaluate your symptoms while considering your medical history in order to make a professional recommendation for treating your pain.

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Summary

There are a number of factors that could cause penile pain during sexual intercourse. Some of these include infections such as STIs, physical health conditions such as prostatitis or psoriasis and even allergic reactions. While it’s natural to speculate, if penis pain occurs individuals should always consult a doctor for guidance.

While the information in this article is intended to be informative, it cannot be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.

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