When it comes to penis health, attention is overwhelmingly focused on rising to the occasion.
Troubles with erections can be more serious than a bad night in bed — including signs of a build up of fat in blood vessels, heart disease and high blood pressure.
But there are many more overlooked changes with the willy that could point to troubles elsewhere in the body.
Experts say you should be keeping track of changes to urination, skin, smell, ejaculations and even curvature.
Here’s what to look for, and what it could mean.
Troublesome leaks
Shafi Wardak, a consulting urological surgeon and andrologist from The Forbury Clinic, told The Sun that changes to frequency, stream strength, and color of urine could “indicate underlying health conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), prostate issues, or metabolic disorders like diabetes.”
Needing to pee more often can be a sign of a UTI (especially when accompanied with a burning sensation), overactive bladder, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
BPH is when the prostate is enlarged, squeezing or blocking the urethra, making the bladder work harder to pass urine. A weak stream could also be a sign of this, or point to something more serious, like prostate cancer or an injury or infection in the urethra.
If you’re leaking when you cough, exercise, laugh, or lift something heavy, it could also point to prostate issues.
Having the urge to pee more often is also a hallmark of diabetes. Sugar in the blood rises and the body works to shed the extra sugar through urine by pulling water out of the body’s tissue.
Peeing less and dark urine can be a sign of dehydration or problems with the kidney including kidney stones or even bladder or kidney cancer.
Save your own skin
Don’t wait if you see changes to the skin on your penis.
“Even small differences in texture, colour, or appearance, like rashes, bumps, or spots, need attention,” Wardak said. “While some changes might be minor irritations or reactions, others could signal fungal infections or conditions such as jock itch.”
Rashes could be anything from a fungal infection to an allergic reaction to soaps or lotion. Bumps could be genital warts from HPV, viral infection molluscum contagiosum, or even penile cancer, especially if the bumps change in size or shape.
Blisters and ulcers are common with genital herpes, while painless ulcers are a sign of syphilis — both STIs.
White patches can indicate lichen sclerosus, a chronic inflammatory disease. Scaling an cracking can point to psoriasis or eczema, also chronic inflammatory illnesses.
Other ways things go sideways
If your erection looks or feels different, that’s something to note. A curved and painful erection could be a sign of Peyronie’s disease, where scar tissue forms under the skin of the penis. This can be treated with medication and in more severe cases, surgery.
Smells should also be addressed. It could be a condition like balantitis, swelling of the head of the penis, or just a sign you could do more to wash up.
“Regular washing with mild soap and water is crucial for maintaining good penile hygiene and preventing odour,” Wardak said. “Additionally, wearing clean, breathable underwear made of natural fibres can help reduce moisture and bacterial growth.”
And changes to ejaculation might also be a sign something’s wrong. Decreased volume could be a sign of low testosterone, diabetes dehydration, or a blockage in the ducts. Weak force could point to lack of exercise and pelvic floor issues.
The takeaway? Don’t let your concern with getting it up keep you from noticing when something else is off.
