By the time a guy has reached adulthood, a variety of bumps and bruises have been experienced. From bruised hands, knees or elbows, to a bruised ego – and everything in between. One type of bruising that many men may not have experienced – and certainly hope to avoid – is penis bruising. Luckily, for the average, non-stunt double man, the twigs and berries are relatively protected from accidental contact and hopefully further protected by an athletic cup during activities that put it at a higher risk for injury. Even still, there are a variety of reasons that could be behind those black and blue spots. Learn more about the causes of penile bruising and how to keep the penis healthy – and bruise free.
What causes a bruised boner?
Of course, there are the obvious reasons for a sore penis. A soccer ball to the junk, slipping off a bicycle seat, or even a poorly-timed bedroom maneuver can all cause a bruise-worthy shot to the baby maker. But what about those mystery bruises that seem to show up out of nowhere? If a man is noticing a bruise below the belt that he does not remember getting, it is possible that he was a little overzealous during his last one-handed rendezvous. Yes, squeezing too tight during masturbation can cause a penis bruise.
The tiny blood vessels below the surface of the skin are susceptible to breaking during masturbation. Typically, the bruise will clear up on its own in a week or two, depending on the size of the bruise. No treatment is needed, but if the bruise is uncomfortable or accompanied by swelling, a bag of frozen peas on the goods for 10 or 15 minutes can do wonders. Alternatively, the purple mark may be what is known as a purpura, or blood spot. Unlike a bruise, a blood spot is not caused by an injury and may just show up on its own. A blood spot may present as a small, flat red or purple spot, or it may look similar to a bruise, but without the pain.
Does the bruising ever indicate something more serious?
By and large, most bruises on the penis are just that. However, recurrent blood spots or bruising that doesn’t go away after a few weeks, or frequent large bruises from minor injuries could be an indication of a more serious problem and require medical attention. Excessive, persistent bruising may be the result of a medication, a serious infection that caused a buildup of toxins in the body, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia, nutritional deficiencies, or inflammation of the blood vessels. Some chronic conditions are also associated with unexplained bruising or blood spots including: chronic inflammatory diseases like lupus, cirrhosis of the liver, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and multiple myeloma. If there is a marked increase in unexplained bruising, or pain with the bruising, a medical evaluation is needed immediately.
Keeping the penis bruise-free
Naturally, one cannot avoid unexpected accidents, but prevention is always the best medicine. A man should always wear an athletic cup when engaging in any contact sport – even a friendly game of kick-ball at the family reunion can lead to a painful nut shot – so wear a cup whenever possible. As far as masturbation goes – loosen up! Though a common slang term is choke the chicken, a man does not need to take that phrase literally. If excessive pressure or aggressive masturbation is the only way to achieve orgasm, it is possible that the penis has become desensitized – or that nerve damage has occurred – leading to more stimulation needed for the desired result.
Unfortunately, continuing down the path of a too firm grip puts the penis at risk of developing Peyronie’s disease – or a curvature of the penis – caused by build up of plaque and scar tissue, which are both contributed to by aggressive penis play. Try using a high-quality lubricant to achieve a different form of stimulation and hopefully allow the act to be performed with less pressure. Finally, add a daily penis vitamin formula (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) to the hygiene routine to help keep the penis healthy. Choosing one with Acetyl L Carnitine can help repair peripheral nerve damage and restore sensitivity to a sore, tired penis.
