Simple hygiene rules to keep your penis healthy

Your penis might not be considered a vital organ like your heart or lungs, but a healthy penis is still vital to your overall health and well-being.

When you have issues like erectile dysfunction, your mental and physical health risks can increase significantly. So here are seven hygiene rules for a healthier penis and a happier you!

Conditions That May Affect the Penis

A penis can be affected by physical health conditions including:

  • Persistent, painful erections are called priapisms that may last for four or more hours.
  • A curve or bend to the penis from Peyronie’s Disease is a condition causing fibrous scar tissue or “plaque” built up in the penis that affects its shape and function.
  • An inflammation-causing infection on the head of the penis is called balanitis.
  • When the intact foreskin around the penis becomes tight and can’t get pulled back, it’s a condition called phimosis.
  • When the intact foreskin gets pulled back and cannot reform its natural shape, severe complications may occur in a medical emergency called paraphimosis.
  • Skin cancer in the penis is rare and also called penile cancer.

These examples show you the broad range of conditions that may affect the penis or intact foreskin, but the great news is many are treatable, and some are preventable by practicing good hygiene!

Hygiene Rules for Your Healthy Penis

Make this your daily hygiene routine:

  1. Wash your penis every day. Concentrate on gently cleaning the glans (the tip of your penis) with warm water and mild soap. No need to scrub!
  2. It’s best to use a soap for sensitive skin with no added scent or chemicals that cause irritations. Don’t use scented deodorants, colognes, body washes, or lotions that may contain heavy perfumes or even alcohol.
  3. If your foreskin is intact, gently pull it back, and wash and rinse the head of your penis and underneath the foreskin daily with warm water and mild soap to prevent infection. But don’t pull too hard because this can cause injury.
  4. After cleaning the tip of your penis, clean the base of your penis and your scrotum with the same gentle motion, warm water, and mild soap. Finish this step with a quick self-exam of your genitals:
    • Stay relaxed as you hold the top of your scrotum
    • Move your fingers and thumb gently down each testicle to feel for abnormalities
    • Lumps or hard tissue abnormalities can feel like grains of rice up to grape-sized
    • You should feel a natural lump on the back of your testicles called the epididymis
    • Next, feel for tissue damage or lesions on the shaft of your penis to the head by squeezing lightly and noting lumps or tenderness.
    • If your foreskin is intact, pull back the skin, and examine the area visually and by touch.
  1. After washing your genital area, pat it dry with a clean towel. If your foreskin is intact, remember to pull back the skin to dry off any moisture and prevent infection further.
  2. Wearing clean and dry underwear is essential to good hygiene.
  3. While handwashing is essential after every bathroom break, you should also have clean hands before you urinate if you’ve been handling chemicals, heat rubs, or even naturally spicy foods that contain skin-irritating chemicals (chilli peppers are a great example!).

Are there other penis health issues to know about?

Routine genital self-examination only takes a minute or two, but it can save lives. If you are worried about abnormalities, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Please continue reading because we will tell you what to watch out for around penis infection.

Smegma

Sometimes, there is a thick white discharge under the intact foreskin, called smegma. If you are worried about a bad smell, follow the hygiene rules above.

Excessive smegma may promote bacterial growth and infection, or the discharge may harden under the foreskin. In this case, follow the hygiene rules. Do not scrub the area or pull on the foreskin, as rough handling may cause injury or tearing.

Balanitis

A rash or itching, pain or tenderness, or discharge around the glans penis may be caused by an infection, called balanitis. This infection is treatable but is common when the intact foreskin is not properly cleaned.

Phimosis

Irregular penile hygiene can also lead to phimosis, which causes the intact foreskin to retract and become unable to be pulled back.