Penile injuries can happen to anyone and might be mild to severe in nature. The injury may not be uncomfortable but can impact sexual functioning.
In this blog, we will understand the type of penile injuries and how they may cause erectile dysfunction.
Penis Injuries and Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or sustain an erection. It may happen at any age due to multiple reasons, and penile injury is one of those. Let’s talk about several types of injuries that men may suffer from –
1. Pelvic Floor Injury
Pelvic floor muscles play an important role in getting an erection. Any injury to these muscles may happen via trauma or strain and can disrupt the functioning of the pelvic floor.
The floor also has an abundance of nerves and blood vessels that play an essential role in erectile functioning. Hence, any injury to this part can cause erectile difficulties.
Here, you can watch this video for symptoms of pelvic floor injury
Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction | Strengthen Pelvic Floor Muscles| Pelvic Floor Exercises
2. Genital Trauma
Trauma to the genital area may cause an injury directly to the penis and affect its ability to achieve an erection. It could happen to someone while playing a sport or due to an accident.
The severity of trauma determines its impact on erectile functioning. Whenever there is direct injury to the penis, there are more chances of compromised erectile functioning.
3. Pain During Sex
If one feels pain during sex, it may indicate an underlying condition. It is crucial to find the exact reason and treat it to make sexual intercourse a pleasurable experience.
The most common reason for pain is Pyeronie’s disease which is due to fibrous tissue or plaque in the penis and causes a curvature in the penis. When left untreated, the bent may be a hurdle in normal erectile functioning and cause erectile dysfunction.
Read More: Peyronie’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
4. Bruising
Minor bruising is common in men and does not necessarily cause erectile dysfunction. However, once the bruising happens and there is repetitive exposure and trauma, it may damage the blood vessels and impact the ability to sustain or get an erection.
5. Fracture
Penile fracture may happen due to the rupture of fibrous tissue around the erectile chambers of the penis. It may happen due to a rough sexual experience and possibly could be an emergency situation. You are advised to take immediate medical attention as if left untreated it could lead to scarring which in future may cause further complications.
6. Laceration
Penile lacerations can happen due to trauma or an accident. If the cuts are deeper, they could possibly damage the nerves and blood vessels and may result in difficulty in having sexual intimacy.
Scarring from laceration can affect the elasticity of the penis and may affect its ability to maintain an erection and contribute to erectile dysfunction.
7. Swelling
Persistent swelling in the penis could happen due to several underlying issues. Also known as penile oedema, the swelling can impact the blood supply to the penis and affect its ability to get an erection.
The swelling mostly happens due to trauma, infection, or other medical conditions and mostly needs medical intervention.
8. Degloving Injury
A degloving injury occurs when the skin of the penis is separated from underlying tissues which exposes the structures beneath the skin. This type of injury can damage the blood vessels and nerves in the area and could contribute to erectile dysfunction.
9. Soft-Tissue Injury
Any soft-tissue injury like hematomas or contusions can also impact overall health and erectile functioning. These injuries do not cause erectile dysfunction but could lead to conditions that may impact the potential to sustain an erection.
10. Strangulation
Any strangulation injury that may happen due to tight clothing or device can impact the blood flow to the penis. The restricted blood flow can cause tissue damage which may further cause erectile dysfunction.
The injury would need immediate medical attention and treatment to control the damage.
11. Amputation
Penile amputation can happen due to severe trauma or medical procedure. Depending on the extent of amputation, the injury can cause erectile dysfunction. It is important to talk to a sexual health expert and gain insight into suitable options to maintain sexual intimacy.
12. Penetration Injuries
Although uncommon, there have been cases of injuries caused due to penetration into foreign objects. Such instances can damage the penile tissue, blood vessels, and nerves, which can further cause erectile dysfunction.
Watch this: This Sex Position Can Be Dangerous
It is important to know about the types of injuries and conditions that may affect the penile health. Being aware of the variety of conditions can help you avoid common mistakes that can lead to erectile difficulties.
Moreover, if you have any difficulty maintaining physical intimacy, you should talk to a sexual health expert. A sexologist can find the exact root cause and suggest the best treatment strategy according to your situation.
Bottom Line
There are a variety of penile injuries that may affect erectile functioning. Most of the injuries if left untreated have worse ultimate outcomes. It is crucial to know about these conditions along with the importance of consulting a sexologist right away.
Penile injuries when treated timely may not impact sexual functioning in men and decrease the chance of long-term complications like erectile dysfunction.