A concerned young man recently wrote that, ever since he experienced a hard blow to the penis during a high school gym class, he has been able to feel a hard lump on one side of the shaft of the penis whenever he has an erection. His anxiety is understandable, given that few men take well to any abnormalities in the appearance or performance of their penis, and in this case, it is a good thing that he paid attention to what could develop into a more serious problem without the right approach to penis care.
Some facts that men should be aware of concerning penile health are outlined here.
Scarring of the penile tissue
Unlike the rest of the body, the penis is not supported by any skeletal structure or cartilage. In order to hold its shape during an erection, it relies on increased blood flow to fill the erectile chambers – the spongy material found on the inside of the shaft. This soft material is surrounded by connective tissue that expands when the penis is erect, and then contracts when the erection subsides, allowing the penis to hold its shape.
When the connective tissue is damaged, whether due to a sudden injury or long-term misuse (the penis is subject to some pretty rough going from time to time) the body often overcompensates during healing by adding an extra protective layer which is tougher and less flexible than the original tissue. As a result, the affected area may be felt as a lump under the surface of the skin, and it may not expand to the same degree as the surrounding tissue during erections. This results in the penis bending around the scar tissue (or plaque), causing a pronounced curvature that can be quite painful.
When a penis bends to the extent that intercourse becomes difficult or impossible, or when erectile problems develop as a consequence, Peyronie’s disease may be diagnosed.
Treating Peyronie’s disease
Treating this problem depends on its severity; for a mild bend or curve, doctors may advise a “wait-and-see” approach and only take action when the problem begins to interfere with a healthy sex life. For more advanced problems, surgery may be performed to remove the scar tissue. In some cases, implants may be used to straighten the penis. For men with less severe bending, the use of vitamins A and E have shown some promise, particularly in restoring the damaged tissue.
Protecting the penis and promoting good health
In order to avoid developing disfiguring conditions like Peyronie’s disease, it is important to follow some basic, common-sense steps in caring for the penis:
- Go slow. Yanking away at the penis during masturbation or engaging in rough, rambunctious sex can be fun in the moment, but in the long run, it’s just not worth the risk. Running up against a partner’s pubic bone or snapping the erectile tissue during a particularly aggressive maneuver can trigger the development of scar tissue that characterizes Peyronie’s disease. Slow and steady wins the race, as they say; and besides, taking things slow and romantic can be especially fulfilling for both partners.
- Wear a cup. Any physical activity, especially one that involves airborne objects or flailing limbs, warrants wearing athletic protection. As with the young man who was mentioned at the beginning of this article, a blow to the tender penile tissue can cause tearing of the connective tissue which can result in bending of the erect penis.
- In addition to these protective measures, men can decrease their odd of developing scarring and plaques by investing in a good penis health formula (most experts recommend Man1 Man Oil) that is fortified nutrients like vitamins A and E, which have been shown to have beneficial effects on scarred penile tissue. As an added bonus, products like this tend to improve the appearance of the manhood, as well as supporting pleasurable penis sensation.
