OpenHealth Q&A

Concerns Regarding Possible Genital Injury

Greetings everyone. To begin, I'd like to share a brief overview of my background. I'm a 19-year-old male, standing at 6'1" and weighing 85 kg. I am of Caucasian descent, do not smoke, and consume alcohol occasionally in social settings. I do not use recreational drugs, engage in risky behavior, or have any preexisting health conditions. Recently, I've developed some concerns about a potential injury to my penis. About two days ago, while I was studying at my desk, I found myself with an unexpected erection. To be comfortable, I had lowered my pants since my underwear felt restrictive. Eventually, as the erection subsided, it became roughly 80% of its full size, maintaining some rigidity but feeling somewhat slack. During this time, the erection shifted to the right, and as it fell to rest against my thigh, I experienced a slight stretching sensation on the lower left side of the shaft. Although it wasn’t excruciating pain, it was definitely surprising and somewhat uncomfortable, resembling the feeling of a stretch that had gone too far. Luckily, there was no sound associated with this sensation, and once I repositioned my penis away from the overstretched area, the discomfort immediately ceased. Since that incident, I haven't felt any pain while at rest, nor have I noticed any bruising. However, upon gentle manipulation or stretching, I've sensed some structural weakness on that side. More recently, I've experienced a similar sensation on the opposite side of my penis. The stretch felt identical and again, I felt discomfort without any visible bruising or noise, like before. I find it unlikely that I've sustained a tear in the corpus cavernosum since I can still achieve erections without experiencing significant symptoms. Nonetheless, I am conscious that there is a discernible difference in sensation and a slight strain that I cannot ignore. As a first-year medical student, my knowledge is still quite limited, and I won’t be able to provide a diagnosis anytime soon. I'm reaching out to inquire about what this might be. I couldn’t find much online aside from references to frenulum tears or penile tears, which don’t apply to my situation. I hope to avoid Peyronie's disease, if possible, as I am currently microdosing tadalafil along with citrulline and taurine to enhance nitric oxide production for recovery. I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice you may have.

Answers (1)

4/1/2025, 4:30:49 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're experiencing some discomfort and unusual sensations in your penis, particularly following an awkward positioning during an erection. The absence of severe pain, bruising, or difficulty achieving erections is reassuring. However, it’s understandable to be concerned about potential injury or changes in sensation.

Explanation

From your description, it's possible you could be experiencing minor strain or tension in the penile tissue resulting from the unusual positioning during the erection. The penis has three key structures: the corpus cavernosum (which fills with blood to induce an erection), the corpus spongiosum (surrounding the urethra), and the tunica albuginea (a tough sheath surrounding the erectile tissue). A stretch or slight overextension of the penis, especially in an unusual position, can lead to discomfort without necessarily implying serious injury.

While Peyronie's disease, which involves the development of fibrous scar tissue causing curvature and pain, is a valid concern for some, the absence of significant symptoms makes it less likely that you are dealing with this issue right now.

Next Steps

1. Rest & Avoid Strain: Allow your body time to recover by avoiding activities that may further strain the area, including vigorous sexual activity or activities that could cause additional pressure.

2. Gentle Self-Observation: Monitor any changes in sensation, pain, or the presence of any lumps or unusual curvature over the next week or two. Note if the discomfort persists or worsens.

3. Hydration & Nutritional Support: Continue with your regimen of taurine and citrulline, as they can support vascular health. Staying well-hydrated can also be beneficial.

4. Avoid Overthinking: Given your knowledge in medicine, it's natural to feel concerned, but sometimes focusing too much on symptoms can increase anxiety. Maintain a balanced approach and engage in relaxing activities.

5. Seek Professional Advice if Symptoms Persist: If you notice persistent discomfort, changes in erections, unusual curvature, or if the symptoms do not improve in a couple of weeks, consider seeking advice from a healthcare provider. They can conduct a physical examination and provide clarity on any potential underlying issues.

Feel free to reach out again if you have more questions or need further support. It's great that you're being proactive about your health!