Many things can cause a swollen penis. If you have penile swelling, your penis may look red and irritated. The area might feel sore or itchy.
The swelling can occur with or without unusual discharge, foul odor, or bumps. These symptoms could make it difficult to urinate or have sexual intercourse.
Since there are many causes for a swollen penis, it’s important to pay attention to other symptoms. This will help your doctor determine the underlying cause.
In rare cases, a swollen penis is a medical emergency. Conditions like priapism or paraphimosis require immediate help.
Penile swelling is a symptom of a health condition rather than a condition itself. It usually shows up with other symptoms, which can range from mild to severe.
Possible underlying causes include:
Balanitis
Balanitis is a common cause of penile swelling. It occurs when the penis head, also called the glans, is inflamed.
About 3 to 11 percent of males will experience balanitis in their lifetime. The condition usually affects uncircumcised males with poor hygiene habits.
Recurring balanitis is associated with poorly managed diabetes and immunodeficiency.
Common symptoms include:
- redness
- shiny, thick skin
- itchiness
- foul odor
- painful urination
- sores
- swollen lymph nodes in the groin
- smegma (thick white discharge under foreskin)
Most cases are a result of an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast that naturally occurs on the body. The second most common cause of balanitis is bacterial, due to a Streptococcus species.
While the condition isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the microorganisms that cause it can be physically transferred.
Allergic or irritant reaction
Another cause of penile swelling is contact dermatitis. This involves an allergic or nonallergic reaction to an irritating substance, such as:
- latex condoms
- propylene glycol in lubricants
- spermicides
- chemicals in soaps or lotions
- chlorine
In addition to swelling, you may have:
- redness
- itching
- dryness
- bumps
- blisters
- burning
If you think you’re allergic or sensitive to something, stop using it immediately.
Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra, known as urethritis, can cause penile swelling. The urethra carries urine from your bladder to your penis.
Typically, urethritis is a result of an STI. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcal urethritis) bacteria as well as nongonococcal bacteria can cause it.
Less common causes include irritating chemicals or injury from a urinary catheter.
Other symptoms include:
- painful urination
- burning during urination
- increased urge to urinate
- whitish-yellow discharge
Priapism
A swollen penis might be a symptom of priapism. This condition is a prolonged erection that continues without sexual stimulation. In some cases, it can happen after sexual stimulation has occurred.
You may have:
- an erection that lasts for more than four hours (without sexual stimulation)
- progressive pain
- erection without a fully rigid penis
- fully rigid penis with soft head
MEDICAL EMERGENCYCall or go to the nearest emergency room if you have an erection that’s painful, lasts longer than four hours, or any of the following apply:
- You have sickle cell disease (a common cause).
- You take intracavernosal drugs for erectile dysfunction.
- You heavily use alcohol or drugs.
- You’ve had damage to your penis during childbirth (perineal trauma).
Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease happens when plaque builds up in the penis below the skin. This can cause bumps that make the penis abnormally curve or bend.
Inflammation with swelling is the first symptom of Peyronie’s disease. Over time, the swelling can turn into a hard scar.
Other symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include:
- bent or curved penis
- painful erections
- soft erections
- lumps
- painful sexual intercourse
- erectile dysfunction
The cause of Peyronie’s disease isn’t clear. However, it’s associated with:
- penis injury
- autoimmune disease
- connective tissue disorder
- aging
Doctors estimate 6 out of 100 males between 40 and 70 years old have Peyronie’s disease. It can also affect younger men in their 30s.
Posthitis
If only your foreskin is swollen, you might have what’s called posthitis. Posthitis is inflammation of the foreskin. An overgrowth of fungus often causes it.
Posthitis often develops with balanitis.
Foreskin symptoms may include:
- soreness
- redness
- tightness
- smegma buildup
Balanoposthitis
Typically, balanitis and posthitis occur together. This is known as balanoposthitis. It’s inflammation of both the glans and foreskin.
Compared to balanitis, balanoposthitis is less common. It affects 6 percent of uncircumcised males.
Balanoposthitis causes penile swelling along with:
- redness
- pain
- smelly discharge
- itching
Paraphimosis
Paraphimosis is another cause of penile swelling that only affects uncircumcised males. It happens when the foreskin is stuck just behind the glans, causing constriction.
Additional symptoms include:
- pain
- discomfort
- redness
- tenderness
- trouble urinating
Paraphimosis may result from:
- forgetting to pull the foreskin back down
- infection
- injury
- incorrect circumcision
- diabetes-related inflammation
Paraphimosis isn’t common. It affects about 1 percent of uncircumcised males over 16 years old.
If the foreskin can’t be pulled back, it can cut off blood flow and lead to tissue death in the glans.
MEDICAL EMERGENCYParaphimosis is a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you’re having any of the symptoms mentioned above.
Penile cancer
In rare cases, penile swelling might indicate penile cancer.
Typically, skin changes are the first sign of penile cancer. Other symptoms may include:
- skin thickening
- redness
- lump or ulcer
- flat, blue-brown bumps
- foul-smelling discharge under the foreskin
- bleeding under the foreskin
You’re more likely to develop penile cancer if you:
- are 60 or older
- have poor personal hygiene
- have phimosis
- use tobacco products
- have HPV
Penile cancer is extremely rare. In North America and Europe, less than 1 in 100,000 men are diagnosed with penile cancer.
If you have minor penile swelling, home remedies might provide relief. These include:
- soaking in a warm bath
- applying gentle pressure to your penis
- applying an ice pack wrapped in cloth to your penis
It’s also best to avoid harsh soaps, lotions, and other potentially irritating substances.
The best treatment depends on your symptoms and cause of swelling. Medical treatments include:
- antifungal cream
- steroid cream
- oral antifungal medicine
- oral antibiotics
- intravenous antibiotics
- dorsal slit (surgically widening the foreskin)
- circumcision
Your doctor might also prescribe a pain-relieving medication to help control pain.
Penile swelling is a sign of an underlying medical condition. Depending on the cause, you might also have redness, itchiness, unusual discharge, or bumps.
There are many causes of penile swelling, so see your doctor if it gets worse or doesn’t go away. Many conditions can be diagnosed with a basic physical exam.
If you have an erection that lasts for more than four hours or the foreskin of your penis gets trapped behind the head, get emergency help.
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