What Causes Male Genital Pain? How to Address It?

If a male experiences genital pain, it is essential to understand the underlying causes. First and foremost, the pain may be related to inflammation. Secondly, it could be associated with trauma. Poor hygiene in the genital area can easily lead to bacterial infections, resulting in conditions such as balanitis and posthitis. Additionally, improper care or negligence during sexual activity may also lead to penis injuries. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the specific causes of genital pain.

Let's delve deeper into this topic:

The first consideration is inflammatory stimulation, particularly urinary tract infections, balanitis, posthitis, orchitis, and epididymitis, which can all lead to pain in the genital area. Another factor to consider is prostate issues, such as prostatitis and acute prostatic hyperplasia, which can also cause pain in the genital area, primarily focused around the base of the penis and the lower abdomen.

Moreover, cysts or tumors in the genital area can also stimulate pain and discomfort, accompanied by changes in urination.

Maintaining local cleanliness and preventing secondary infections is crucial. For weeping and erosion, a 3% boric acid solution or 0.1% rivanol wet dressing can be used. For non-infectious subacute cases, corticosteroid cream can be applied. For chronic or dry and flaky conditions, tetracycline-based ointments can be used. In cases of significant infection, fever, and lymphadenitis, antibiotics such as cephalexin (500mg, 3-4 times daily) or ofloxacin (200mg, twice daily) can be prescribed. For individuals with excessively long foreskins, circumcision can be considered after the inflammation has resolved.

For balanitis and posthitis with ulcers, a 1/5000 potassium permanganate solution can be used for soaking, followed by the application of anti-inflammatory ointment. For allergic balanitis and posthitis, oral antihistamines and topical corticosteroid ointments may be prescribed. If phimosis or edema prevents proper soaking and drainage, a dorsal slit incision of the foreskin may be necessary to facilitate drainage. Circumcision should be performed after the inflammation has completely resolved.

The causes of this condition can be divided into two categories:

Firstly, non-infectious or simple factors such as physiological phimosis, excessively long foreskin, post-pubertal smegma irritation, or rare mechanical injuries can lead to inflammation and changes in the glans penis.

Secondly, infectious or communicable diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, particularly bacterial and fungal infections, are the most common causes of balanitis and posthitis.