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The most common glans diseases

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The health of the sexual organs is of vital importance to both sexes; despite this, men go less frequently than women for medical evaluations of their sexual organs.

The glans is an area of ​​the penis that has a greater risk of injury due to multiple causes. Some of them are poor hygiene and sexual contact with people who suffer from sexually transmitted diseases or other types of genital infections. Next, in this FastlyHealarticle, we explain the most common glans diseases so that you can identify them and go to a medical consultation when necessary.

What are the glans, and what is its function

The glans is the head or tip of the penis, where the opening of the urethra is located. Through this place, semen comes out during ejaculation and urine. It turns out to be the most sensitive part of the penis.

It is pink or reddish; it is thicker than the rest of the penis; it is covered from birth by a fold of loose skin called the foreskin, which is pulled back and leaves the glans exposed when the penis meets erect. The foreskin is the skin that lines the glans and keeps the mucosa moist. For men who are circumcised, the penis remains exposed and dry.

The glans is part of the male genital organ and performs the following functions:

  • Sexual stimulation: the glans are part of the penis with incredible sensitivity. It increases in size with inspiration and the arrival of blood to the corpora cavernosa and spongiosum, both of which are found in the shaft of the penis.
  • Semen expulsion: The semen comes out during ejaculation through the glans area. The tube that reaches the glans and through which the sperm comes out is known as the urinary meatus.
  • Urine expulsion: urine is also expelled through the glans. Urine is transported from the bladder to the outside through the urinary meatus.

Most common glans diseases

Some diseases develop in the male sexual organ, especially at the glans level, and are due to different causes that you will learn about below:

Anatomical disorders

  • Phimosis: this alteration occurs when the skin surrounding the penis, called the foreskin, cannot go down, which causes hygiene problems. This is seen from the moment of birth and requires surgical resolution.
  • Paraphimosis: occurs in those cases where the man or boy has not been circumcised, and the foreskin is stuck behind the head of the penis; that is, it cannot return to its normal position.

Balanitis

It is the inflammation of the foreskin and glans caused by improper hygiene. It is more common in men who are not circumcised.

This alteration can also be presented by using solid soaps and not rinsing well after showering. In addition, there are other causes of balanitis, such as:

  • Bacterial infections.
  • Diseases such as arthritis.
  • Poorly controlled diabetes.

Functional problems

  • Priapism: it is characterized by being a painful and persistent erection that can last up to more than 4 hours. It tends to be produced by taking certain substances that stimulate erection, drugs, or alcohol.
  • Hypospadias is a congenital disorder that causes the penis not to develop normally. Men with this problem have the opening of the same, where the urine comes out, in another place and not in the glans. This opening may be between the perineum and the glans, but not at the end. Hypospadias affects the aesthetics and functionality of the male sexual organ; fertility can be affected due to urination and sexual intercourse problems.

Sexually transmitted disease

  • Syphilis: a prevalent sexually transmitted disease that causes the presence of sores known as chancres. These injuries are not painful, but they can be contagious. They can be located on the penis, scrotum, or anus. This disease must be treated in time. Otherwise, it can lead to severe problems such as paralysis, brain damage, and blindness.
  • Chancroid is a lesion of the skin or genital mucosa caused by Haemophilus ducreyi. It is characterized by the appearance of blemishes that transform into painful ulcers and adenomegaly. After an incubation period of 3 to 7 days, the infection can spread to other areas of the skin, causing phimosis, urethral strictures, and urethral fistulas.
  • Lymphogranuloma venereum: is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis. It is a sexually transmitted disease characterized by the presence of a minor, painless ulcer on the male genitalia that can go unnoticed. Later, it attacks the lymph nodes.
  • Condyloma acuminata are warty lesions that range from 1 to 10 mm; they can be pink or brown. They are located in the urinary meatus, affecting the typical passage of urine. These lesions are transmitted by sexual contact; they are produced by papillomavirus.
  • Molluscum contagiosum: this alteration is produced by a viral skin infection in adults; it is a sexually transmitted disease. The lesions appear on the genital organ, are rounded the skin color, become red and swollen, and are itchy.

Traumatic problems

  • Peyronie’s disease: This problem occurs when the tip of the penis bends due to trauma, sequelae, or micro-trauma during sexual intercourse.
  • Sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis: This disorder is common in men with an active sexual life between 18 and 45 years of age. It is related to trauma to the penis during sexual intercourse. It appears as a rugged, thin, whitish, translucent cord in the coronal sulcus or on the dorsum of the penis. It can affect the foreskin and glans.

Dermatological conditions

  • Pearly papules: they are tiny dots that appear in the coronal groove or on the glans. These injuries do not require treatment since they are unrelated to infections or any pathology.
  • Sebaceous granulomas: their appearance is frequent on the skin of the genitals; it is produced by the incorrect functioning of the immune system cells. It is characterized by a nodule in the penis or scrotal region. It can be single or multiple; it is painless and requires surgical removal.
  • Balanitis xerotica obliterans: this is a chronic disorder that causes atrophy of the skin of the foreskin and glans. It appears in bumps, then the lesions coalesce and form large plaques. It can affect the urethral meatus, where urine comes out, and when this happens, it can cause narrowing and difficulty urinating.

Tumors and cancer

  • Erythroplasia of Queyrat: this disease is known as Bowen of the glans; it occurs mainly when the male sexual member has not been circumcised. This lesion is on the surface of the penis and is known as an early form of skin cancer localized to the penis. There is a reddish rash where irritated skin is evident; it is related to the human papillomavirus.
  • Giant condyloma: this alteration is known as Buschker-Lonwenstein tumor (TBL); this disease is transmitted sexually. It is a warty lesion located on the penis, specifically in the glans area.
  • Penile cancer: this is the name given to the growth of malignant cells, which can lead to the development of a tumor or deformity of the penis.

Most common glans diseases: signs and symptoms

The appearance of the following signs and symptoms should be a reason for medical consultation:

  • Presence of bleeding when urinating or ejaculating.
  • Ejaculation disorders.
  • Appearance of warts, bumps, rashes, or lesions on the penis or genital area.
  • Pain or deformation of the penis.
  • Discomfort when urinating
  • Discharge through the penis
  • Decreased sexual desire
  • A sudden increase in sexual desire in the elderly.

How to prevent diseases in the glans

To avoid the appearance of diseases in the glans, follow the following tips:

  • Maintain safe sex with condoms and make sure your partner does not suffer from sexually transmitted infections.
  • Take good hygiene of the genital area to avoid diseases in the penis.
  • Get the vaccines you need. The application of human papillomavirus vaccine is recommended to help prevent the presence of warts in the genital area.

Not all problems in the penis can be prevented, so it is essential to go to your trusted urologist. After a clinical diagnosis, the specialist will indicate the treatment to follow according to the symptoms you present.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to The most common glans diseases, we recommend that you enter our category of Male reproductive system .

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