If you have not experienced penis burning yet, consider yourself lucky because it can be painful if not treated. Penis burning is a common yet painful issue. We listed 5 major causes behind penis burning, and we are surprised.
- UTIs
UTIs, also known as Urinary Tract Infections, can cause a burning sensation or pain in the penis while peeing. It is caused due to the entry of foreign bacteria into the urinary tract, often from the rectum or hands. About 12% of men are diagnosed with a UTI at least once in their lifetime. Symptoms of a UTI include a burning sensation or pain at the time of urination, frequent urination, and feeling the urge to urinate even when your bladder is empty.
Not able to urinate properly due to irritation or burning is the biggest indicator of a Urinary Tract Infection. Sometimes, a UTI may be accompanied by a fever and loss of appetite. If you are experiencing any such symptoms, then make sure you visit a doctor. It is one hundred percent treatable so don’t worry. However, you can prevent it by proper, regular washing of the penis, especially after sex.
- STIs
There are some Sexually Transmitted Infections or STIs that can cause penis burning. STIs are infections or diseases that spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. STIs that are caused due to bacteria, for example, chlamydia, can be treated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that each day, over 1 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired globally. In the year 2020, WHO’s estimates indicated a total of 374 million new infections, encompassing four main STIs: chlamydia (129 million), gonorrhea (82 million), syphilis (7.1 million), and trichomoniasis (156 million).
In the United States, the statistics show that approximately 1 in 5 individuals are affected by STIs, which amounts to nearly 68 million infections.
STIs that can cause penis burning are chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital Herpes, and Syphilis. It is not necessary to have intercourse for chlamydia to be transmitted. Touching the genitals can also lead the bacteria to get in the urethra.
Symptoms experienced by men include a burning sensation during urination, yellow or green discharge from the penis, pain in the lower abdomen or the testicles. Similarly, Gonorrhea can also be transmitted through unprotected sex. Symptoms in men include a burning feeling during urination, a sore throat, or a fever. Bacterial infections can be easily treated with the help of antibiotics like azithromycin. Make sure you visit a doctor and get them checked regularly.
- Urethritis
A burning sensation accompanied by pain during urination can be due to Urethritis. Urethritis is a bacterial or viral infection that is caused due to the inflammation of the urethra. The urethra is a small tube that carries the urine from the bladder to outside the body. The bacteria enter the urethra from the skin around the urethral opening, i.e., your penis. The most common cause of urethritis is a sexually transmitted infection, however, it is not necessary.
Its symptoms include painful, burning, or frequent urination or a foul, smelly discharge from the urethra. But don’t worry. It can easily be treated with the help of antibiotics like Azithromycin and doxycycline. If you are facing any such issues then you must visit a doctor as urethritis involves a high risk of your infection spreading to your kidneys. So, it’s better to treat it during the initial stages than wait for it to get worse.
- Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a small mass of minerals that get accumulated in your kidneys. They are formed due to high levels of minerals and salts in the urine. Sometimes, they can travel down to the ureter which is the tube between the kidney and the bladder. Once the stone reaches the bladder, it tries to pass out of the body through the urinary passage. This can cause a burning sensation in the urine, frequent urination, and pain. It is accompanied by a sharp pain in the lower abdomen and the back.
In men, the pain can even reach the tip of their penis. Some reasons why kidney stones can be formed are less urination, a diet high in calcium oxalate, obesity, bowel issues, etc. If you experience these symptoms, you must visit the doctor who will recommend an ultrasound to determine the position and size of the stone. Then, you can go for further treatment involving medications or surgery.
As stated by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the risk of developing kidney stones is approximately 11% in men and 9% in women. Men have a higher likelihood of developing kidney stones compared to women. Furthermore, if you have a family history of kidney stones, your risk of developing them increases, and having experienced kidney stones before also raises the likelihood of recurrence.
- Injury
You might unwillingly injure your penis sometimes. The causes include friction burns which happen due to rubbing off against tight clothing or rough sex, vigorous masturbation, accidents, putting a ring around the penis to prolong an erection, or inserting any object into the urethra. Such injuries can lead to severe itching, or burning sensation in the base, shaft, or the head of the penis. To avoid friction burns during masturbation or sexual intercourse, you can try using lubrication. However, it is important to figure out the reason for your burning penis.
If it is a friction burn, then it can be treated at home by wearing loose fitted clothing, applying lotion or petroleum jelly on the affected area, and just waiting for it to heal. If the burning sensation is accompanied by abnormal discharge, or pain, or fever, or some other unusual symptom, then you need to visit a doctor for the treatment.
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- Cancer
Penis burning could also indicate a cancerous infection. It’s a rare occurrence but you shouldn’t eliminate this possibility.
Cancer causes the skin around the penis to change color. The area takes a different shade for the rest of the body.
Still, the skin may turn thick and hardened. You could also notice some swelling, which changes in texture and size every day.
One aspect of penis cancer is a burning sensation while you are urinating. Obviously, during the urine passage, the cancerous skin around your urethra is affected, hence this painful feeling.
Penile cancer is very rare. It affects less than 1% of all cancer in men, according to the American Cancer Society. Also American Cancer Society reports that an estimated 2,050 individuals are expected to receive a diagnosis of penile cancer in the United States in 2023. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to the majority of penile cancer cases. Notably, penile cancer is more prevalent in certain regions of Africa, Asia, and South America. On a global scale, there were approximately 36,068 estimated cases of penile cancer diagnosed in 2020.
Only a thorough medical assessment would confirm if this burning while urinating is caused by penis cancer. Hence you need to make this visit if this pain persists for more than three days.
This condition is treatable if detected early. It’s good since it involved non-surgical intervention. This is unlike the latter-stage treatment that would need lengthy and expensive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
- Chlamydia
This is a prevalent STI affecting both genders. You get this infection when you have unprotected sex with an infected partner.
This infection manifests in a burning feeling when urinating. This feeling may be accompanied by abnormal discharge.
You may also note that it causes an uncomfortable and swollen testicle. Still, Chlamydia doesn’t present any other symptoms apart from the discomfort.
Despite its apparent nondescript, this is one of the most widespread STIs. It’s caused by a bacteria transfer. It’s mostly common in young adults aged between 15 to 25 years.
You could get it via vaginal, oral, or anal sex. But prevention is easy. Using a condom each time you have sex, ensures that you keep this bacteria away. You also treat it easily when detected early.
Treatment includes antibiotics, during which time you need to abstain from sexual activities.
In conclusion, we discussed five major causes behind why men experience penis burn. We are sure that with the causes mentioned above of penis burning, you can learn why your penis might feel like it’s on fire.
SIMILAR QUESTION
Introduction
Burning in the private area is a symptom that can be caused by many different conditions. It can be an uncomfortable experience that can interfere with daily activities. It is important to recognize the potential causes of burning in the private area in order to properly diagnose and treat the underlying cause.
Common Causes of Burning in the Private Area
There are many possible causes of burning in the private area, ranging from infections to skin conditions. Some of the most common causes include:
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): A UTI is an infection in the urinary tract which can cause burning or pain when passing urine. Other symptoms may include a frequent need to urinate, a strong smelling urine and cloudy urine.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): STIs can cause burning in the private area, particularly when urinating. Other symptoms may include pain, itching, discharge and sores.
- Skin Irritation: Skin irritation can be caused by detergents, soaps, lotions or tight clothing. It can cause a burning sensation or itching.
- Yeast Infection: A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. It can cause burning, itching and a thick, white discharge.
- Allergies: Allergies to certain products such as latex condoms or lubricants can cause burning in the private area.
- Intertrigo: Intertrigo is a rash that can occur in the groin area due to moisture, friction or irritation. It can cause redness, itching and burning.
- Eczema: Eczema is a skin condition that can cause a red, itchy rash. It can occur in the private area and cause burning and discomfort.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you experience burning in the private area, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the cause. Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. They may also order tests such as a urine test, swab test or blood test to help diagnose the cause of the burning.
Once the cause is determined, your doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause and may include: antibiotics for UTIs or STIs, topical creams or lotions for skin irritation, antifungal medications for yeast infections and medications to reduce inflammation or itching.
Conclusion
Burning in the private area can be a symptom of many different conditions. It is important to recognize the potential causes of burning in order to properly diagnose and treat the underlying cause. If you experience burning in the private area, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the cause and receive the most appropriate treatment.
