Like high blood pressure and diabetes can signify heart disease, penis health can say much about your health. Any pain, lump, or swelling on a penis can indicate an underlying health problem. Generally, the penis’s appearance, functions, and penile discharge can point out potential health issues.

Penis’s Appearance Can Be A Sign Of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

How your penis looks can help point out potential health problems. Lumps, swelling, bumps, curves, and penile papules can be signs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, not all these signs can be visible to the naked eye, but can be felt. For instance:

  • The main signs of chlamydia on the penis are painful urination, penile discharge, penis pain during intercourse, and testicle pain
  • Primary signs in your penis indicating that you might have gonorrhea include bloody discharge, pain when urinating, and swollen testicles
  • Signs of genital herpes are red bumps, open sores, blisters, pain, and itching on the penis
  • Signs of genital warts are small bumps and red sores around the penis
  • The appearance of your penis can also indicate penile cancer. For instance, a change in skin color, sores, or thickening of the penis might be signs of cancer.                  
  • Peyronie’s disease is identified by the change in penis curvature caused by tissue scars in the penis

Penis Function Can Be A Sign Of Erectile Dysfunction Or Prostate Cancer

The functions of a penis are to urinate and ejaculate. Urinating problems, such as difficulty beginning to urinate or having weak flow, are signs of enlarged prostate. This condition is referred to as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), but it’s not related to prostate cancer and is more common in older men. Other signs of BPH are frequent urination, dripping after urinating, blood in the urine, and feeling like the bladder hasn’t emptied. The same signs are notable in the late stages of prostate cancer.

Pain when urinating can signify sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, prostate problems, or urinary tract infection. Also, erectile dysfunction and difficulty in getting and sustaining an erection can signify various health concerns, like:

  • High Blood Pressure: Men with high blood pressure have elevated rates of erectile dysfunction. Hypertension medications can also cause erectile dysfunction.
  • Alcoholism: Alcohol is a depressant, and excessive use of alcohol causes erectile dysfunction. However, responsible drinking (two drinks per day) hasn’t been linked with erectile dysfunction (ED).
  • Obesity: Excessive body fat causes health issues like diabetes, which negatively affects the ability to maintain an erection.
  • Nerve or Spinal Damage: A healthy nervous system is essential in achieving a good erection. Therefore, having erectile dysfunction can be a sign of an unhealthy nervous system.
  • High Cholesterol: High cholesterol is known to cause artery damage, which interferes with blood flow in the penis, thus, causing erection problems.
  • Mental Health Issues: Stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, fear of sexual failure, and depression are associated with erectile dysfunction.
  • Low Testosterone: Low testosterone lowers the levels of sex male hormones, which lowers your sex drive and later causes erectile dysfunction. 
  • Drug Use: Use of drugs, such as tobacco, causes stroke, heart disease, and increased blood cholesterol, all of which negatively affect the ability to get a sustainable erection.
  • Sleeping Problems: Scientists suggest that during sleep, erections occur, making the penis mechanisms function correctly. Lack of sleep is associated with the inability to concentrate and decreased energy levels, interfering with your sex drive and getting a sustainable erection.

Penile Fluid Discharge Might Be A Sign Of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Abnormal urine color or abnormal discharge can signify severe health issues. For instance, pus discharge from the penis is a sign of gonorrhea or chlamydia. In gonorrhea, the pus is thicker and greenish or yellowish, while in chlamydia, it’s watery and white.

Bloody urine can be a sign of bladder or kidney disease. It can also signify a urinary tract infection, prostate disease, sexually transmitted diseases, or other severe conditions. Any blood in the urine should be reported immediately to the doctor.

On the other hand, cloudy urine can signify urinary tract infection, while dark or concentrated urine signifies dehydration. However, certain foods affect urine color. For instance, high vitamin B12 intake can cause yellow urine, asparagus makes it green, while beets lead to reddish urine. Certain medications can also interfere with urine color. 

The Bottom Line

Penis health is an essential part of your overall health beyond urinating and ejaculating. Penis problems may signify underlying health conditions, which should be treated once they’re identified. Luckily, the information above can help you identify health conditions affecting you through your penis. Also, remember to keep your penis healthy by eating a healthy diet, maintaining good mental health, regular exercise, and healthy sleeping.