An STI - a sexually transmitted infection, also called a sexually transmitted disease - is not something to mess around with; getting infected can cause serious issues that go beyond having a sore penis. It can impact other parts of the body, so avoiding these infections is crucial for both a guy's penis health and his overall health.

Not always warning signals

One thing that is important to know right away: often an STI may be asymptomatic - that is, a guy can contract the disease without showing any symptoms or with signs that are not really obvious. That's one of the reasons that always using a condom and other forms of safe sex is so important: this helps protect a man from acquiring a disease and, if he has already acquired one but has no symptoms, it helps prevent him from unknowingly spreading the disease to his partners.

There are quite a few sexually-related infections. Sometimes, the symptoms of one overlap significantly with those of another; other times, there is little or no overlap.

That said, here are some of the warning signals that are often associated with a sexually transmitted infection:

- Penis drips. Often the infected penis will discharge a small amount of fluid unrelated to urination or ejaculation. The fluid may range from watery to thick and often may be yellowish in color.

- Blood. Blood in the urine or semen is never a good sign. Although it can have other causes, sexually related infections are often responsible. Some men may not recognize blood in semen or urine; it typically causes a dark brown coloration.

- Pain. When a sore penis experiences a pain, whether a burning, a stinging, or another form, it may be an infection. Though it could be a simple urinary infection, it may also be a sign of a sexually initiated infection. The pain may occur while urinating or ejaculating, or at any time during a sexual experience.

- Semen odor. If the semen develops a nasty scent, check for infection as a cause.

- Marks. Chancre sores, blisters, sores, bumps, and warts are all possible indications that medical help may be needed to fight an infection. (Again, there may be other causes, such as dermatological factors, for some of these, so their presence does not by itself indicate a sexually transmitted disease.)

- Flu-like symptoms. These are especially common with viral infections and include swollen glands, fever, sore throat, aches and pains.

Again, just because a man has some of these symptoms does NOT necessarily mean that he has a sexually transmitted disease; however, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If symptoms are present, and if a man is sexually active (and especially if he does not consistently practice safe sex), then a visit to the doctor is recommended. Early diagnosis and treatment is important for the best outcomes. Catching an infection early may keep it from becoming a serious issue.

And remember: if a man discovers he has an infection, he needs to let his partner(s) know of this fact so that they can also be checked.

Avoiding an STI is well worth the effort; keeping the penis in proper health pays off. Part of any man's regular penis health maintenance routine should be the daily use of a top drawer penis nutrient cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) . What should a man look for in an effective cream? Among other things, it should include a superior antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, which can help prevent premature aging of penile cells. It should also include a wide range of vitamins, including B5, C, D and E - and one with vitamin A has the added bonus of helping to prevent unwanted penis odor.