One thing all men can agree on is this: penis pain is awful. Every man has taken a shot to the family jewels once or twice in his lifetime. When this happened, he likely doubled over in pain with an instant stomach ache, or maybe even threw up or passed out. A man wouldn’t wish penis pain on his worst enemy - okay - maybe his worst enemy, but it is not something to be taken lightly. When it comes to a nut shot, the cause of the pain is clear, but sometimes a man is less certain about why he is experiencing pain. Below are some common Q & A’s about penis pain and tips for a healthy penis. So grab an icepack, and read on.

Q: What causes penis pain during urination?

A: Painful urination is a common problem experienced by men; this issue can be caused by several different problems. It is often necessary to make a trip to the doctor when this occurs, as a round of antibiotics or other treatment is probably necessary. Common culprits of pain during urination include: bladder infection, urinary tract infection, prostatitis, bladder stones, or sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, chlamydia, or gonorrhea.

Q: Is it normal to have pain while ejaculating?

A: No! Next question… Seriously though, pain on ejaculation is not a normal occurrence and should be followed up by a trip to the urologist. A painful release could indicate any number of problems in a man’s plumbing including: urethritis, prostatitis, orchitis, epididymitis, and prostate cancer. One painful orgasm may just be a fluke or the result of delaying the orgasm too long, but persistently occurring pain on ejaculation warrants a phone call to the doctor.

Q: What causes foreskin pain?

A: Just like any other body part, the foreskin is subject to pain as well. One common cause for pain of the foreskin is infection resulting from poor hygiene. Men who neglect to fully retract the foreskin and clean under it, or who have difficulty retracting the skin, may experience infection known as balanitis from bacteria becoming trapped under the skin flap. Other conditions of the foreskin include: phimosis, when the skin will not retract over the head of the penis; and paraphimosis, when the foreskin is stuck in the retracted position causing swelling and pain.

Q: What causes a painful erection?

A: Known as priapism, some men experience painful and often prolonged erections in spite of no physiological arousal. Meaning they don’t want to have sex, but for some reason the penis didn’t get the memo. This is one of those times when immediate care is needed - persistent, unwanted erections may be caused by medication side effects, drug or alcohol use, or spinal cord injury. The condition can cause permanent damage to the penis as the excessive amount of blood flow for a long time may lead to nerve damage.

Q: Can the penis be broken?

A: Though not actually a bone, the penis can sustain damage from contact that causes an injury to the penis, similar to a broken bone. For instance, if an erect penis is injured during overly acrobatic or enthusiastic sex, it may create scar tissue on the penis that eventually causes the penis to curve to one side. This plaque build up can develop from abrupt injuries that cause the penis to bend or snap, or from subtle injuries such as forceful or aggressive masturbation. The condition is known as Peyronie’s Disease, and in extreme conditions can make sex painful and even impossible.

Q: Does the penis need any special care?

A: Absolutely. Men take special care of all other vital parts of the body, so why should the penis be any different? Luckily, it takes little effort to keep the manhood up and running. Simply begin daily use of a penis health formula (most professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) to keep the penis healthy and thriving. A specially formulated penis oil can help fight infection causing bacteria that can lead to pain while also reducing plaque buildup that can lead to Peyronie’s disease. A man need only apply the penis oil after taking a shower and continue about his day, simple as that.