What Causes Penile Pain?

By Dr. Zarina Vitebsky, DPT, MSPT, PRPC, TPS, LPF, DN on 1/16/2023

There are many possible causes of penile pain. Some common causes include:

1. Infection: Infections such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause penile pain.

2. Trauma: Trauma to the penis from an injury or surgery can cause penile pain.

3. Skin conditions: Certain skin conditions, such as balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis) or dermatitis (skin irritation), can cause penile pain.

4. Inflammation: Inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis) or inflammation of the tube that carries semen out of the body (epididymitis) can cause penile pain.

5. Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, or depression can sometimes cause pain in the penis.

6. TIGHT PELVIC FLOOR- the muscles become tight due to stress or constant butt clinching from stress or poor habit that cause compression on the arteries or nerve that result in pain.

This is where pelvic floor physical therapy can help!

With a tight pelvic floor, tight muscles can cause tightness around the PUDENDAL nerve causing pain in the rectum, perineum or/and penile pain in the shaft or the tip of the penis.

If you have symptoms #1-5 please consult a primary doctor or urologist. If you have symptom #6 then these are the steps you should take:

1. If stretching or taking a bath decreases your symptoms, you may have tight muscles. If you experience pain while sitting, your pudendal nerve may be entrapped.

2. Find an experienced PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST and interview them on the phone regarding your condition to see if you are a good fit.

3. Schedule an appointment with the Pelvic Floor clinic

4. Bring comfortable clothes to the appointment in case you need to practice your stretching routine that will end up as your home work

5. Keep an open mind

6. Ask a lot of questions since pelvic floor physical therapist know a lot about pelvic pain that includes penile pain

7. Do your homework and be patient

The problem of penile pain could be as simple as a group of tight muscles that cause you pain due to tightness around your arteries and nerves. Pelvic floor physical therapy could be the answer.

If you’re experiencing pelvic floor dysfunctions associated with the issues above, please reach out to us at Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Center in Madison, NJ to set up an evaluation and treatment!

Feel free to call us at 908-443-9880 or email us at contact@pelvichealthnj.com.

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