OpenHealth Q&A

Strange Issue with My Penis

At the age of 17 and standing 5’11", I experienced an unexpected injury to my penis while I was engaged in masturbation around mid to late 2024. During a moment of clumsiness, I inadvertently squeezed, which led to a temporary inability to achieve an erection. Thankfully, I recognized that recovery was on the horizon, and after about 20 to 30 days, I was able to regain erections comparable to those I had prior to the incident. However, I noticed a peculiar phenomenon where my flaccid state occasionally became swollen, likely due to increased blood flow; light pressure would relieve the swelling, though it would return later. This was not accompanied by any discomfort or changes in my ability to achieve an erection. I remember it being somewhat bothersome, particularly affecting my ability to urinate until the swelling subsided, which happened when I sat down and exerted a bit of pressure. Some months later, I decided to try LSD. Interestingly, it didn’t induce much in the way of hallucinations for me, but I did experience some wavy vision and a sense of lightheartedness. During this trip, I felt extreme discomfort, as if my penis was under significant pressure, and it appeared noticeably soft and shrunken. After about two days, everything returned to its usual state. Fortunately, the puffiness I had been experiencing disappeared, although it would reemerge for a few hours after I masturbated shortly after my last session (within the same two days). Beyond that, my condition seemed fairly normal. Recently, I acquired a cannabis vape, and unlike the previous one I had tried, this one triggered some puffiness while in a flaccid state. It's worth mentioning that this puffiness did not hinder my ability to achieve an erection and would dissipate once I became aroused. I observed that the higher I felt, the more pronounced the effects were; there was one instance where I experienced discomfort from being too high, but this subsided the following morning. Remarkably, I found that I no longer had to exert pressure to urinate; it flowed freely when I was in a sitting position. Just today, I consumed cannabis and engaged in masturbation, which resulted in an unusual sensation, causing my erection to last significantly longer. As I’m writing this, the puffiness I experienced post-injury has returned; however, this time it felt firm instead of filled with blood. I needed to apply similar pressure while seated to alleviate the swelling for urination. This time, I didn’t feel anything particularly unusual. I plan to take a break from cannabis to see if my body recovers. I suspect that my original injury might have led to a pulled muscle somewhere in my pelvis, as I experienced pain while walking following the incident. At present, the puffiness continues to fluctuate, appearing and disappearing every few minutes. If anyone has insights or advice on this issue, I would greatly appreciate it.

Answers (1)

8/7/2025, 8:02:09 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey with these symptoms, and it’s important to address your concerns regarding the swelling and discomfort you’ve experienced. Your report of fluctuations in swelling, particularly related to arousal and after using substances, suggests there may be a few physiological factors at play.

Key Points:

1. Injury Recovery: Your initial injury seems to have resolved, as indicated by the return of normal erectile function over time.
2. Swelling Phenomena: The recurring puffiness could be related to increased blood flow during arousal, muscle tension, or even some form of mild edema.
3. Substance Effects: Cannabis and possibly your experiences with LSD may be affecting your vascular response and muscle tension, which can lead to temporary changes in your state of arousal and swelling.

Explanation:

While it’s reassuring that you can achieve erections normally, the swelling and changes in your penile state may stem from:

• Hydraulic Changes: Increased blood flow during arousal can cause temporary swelling, which might feel firmer or softer based on your state of arousal and muscle tension.
• Muscular or Vascular Response: If you did sustain a minor injury that affected the surrounding muscles or vessels, postural changes and tension can also create sensations of firmness or swelling.
• Impact of Substances: Both cannabis and LSD can alter your perception of bodily sensations, which might explain the differences you felt during and after their use.

Next Steps to Consider:

1. Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a diary to track when the puffiness occurs, its severity, and any activities (like substance use or masturbation) that may correlate with its occurrence.
2. Limit Substances: As planned, take a break from cannabis and other substances to assess if the puffiness improves. This could clarify if they are a contributing factor.
3. Hydration and Relaxation: Ensure you’re adequately hydrated and consider techniques like stretching or relaxing pelvic muscles, as tension can exacerbate discomfort.
4. Pelvic Floor Exercises: Engaging in gentle pelvic floor exercises (like Kegels) could help improve muscle tone and response without putting stress on the area.
5. Consultation Consideration: Although you may feel fine otherwise, if the puffiness continues or worsens, think about consulting a healthcare provider for a thorough assessment. They can evaluate for any underlying concerns related to your injury or muscle tension.

It’s great that you’re being proactive about your health. Maintaining open communication about any changes or worries is key, and you’re taking the right steps by monitoring your body’s responses. Let me know if you have more questions or need further guidance!