When a man suddenly begins suffering from penis pain and swelling, especially in the wake of a romantic moment or two, it can easily lead to panic. It’s quite natural to feel fear when pain arrives, and especially so if that pain is in the penis or surrounding area. But the good news is that prompt and careful penis care can help a man overcome most cases of penis pain and swelling.

Here’s what to do during those panicked moments when a man is sure his penis will never be the same:

- Put on the brakes. Whatever was happening before the pain and swelling began, it’s time to stop it, completely. If a man was coupling when it happened, he should stop immediately and explain to his partner what’s going on. If he was masturbating, things just suddenly became entirely hands-off. If the pain and swelling began at any other time, a man should think back to what he was doing before - retrace his steps, so to speak - and try to figure out what might have sparked this unwelcome result.

- Get clean. A man will want to rule out the possibility of an allergic reaction, so he must make sure his penis is entirely clean. That means jumping into the shower or rinsing off at the nearest sink. Though most causes of penis pain are not the result of an allergic reaction, it helps to have a clean slate to begin from when he takes steps to minimize the pain and swelling.

- Reach for home remedies. A cool compress and a good dose of ibuprofen will help relieve the soreness, pain and swelling of a penis that has seen a little too much action. A compress can be made from a hand towel submerged in very cold water and wrung out. If using a cold pack from the freezer, make sure to put a thick cloth between the penis and the pack, to avoid the possibility of frostbite. The pain should begin to ease rather quickly once the compress has been applied.

- Evaluate the situation. Once a man has done the above things, he should look at the situation with a level head. Is the pain some of the worst he has ever felt? Then it’s time to head to the hospital. Did it begin to ease when he stopped when he was doing and used a cold compress? Then it might be okay to take a wait-and-see approach. If a guy is dealing with intense penis pain or notices other penis problems, such as hardness that won’t go away, it’s time to call the doctor.

- Get help. If the penis swelling refuses to go away or is accompanied by serious penis pain, it’s better to be safe and go see the doctor. Bruises, a burning sensation, any bleeding or other penis problems in conjunction with the pain and swelling should be seen in the emergency room as soon as possible.

Finally, a man can make the most of his good penis health by taking steps to maintain it. This can be done with a specially formulated penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . A man can look for a crème that contains Shea butter and vitamin E, both of which are perfect for hydrating skin and relieving some of the swelling and pain that comes from too much friction. He should also look for a crème with L-carnitine and L-arginine, two amino acids that help the penis heal from trauma and protect the nerve endings, thus helping maintain penis sensation.