When a man unveils his penis for a partner, he wants to be met with an appreciative “Wow!” rather than an inquisitive “Hmmm….what are those?” Yes, penis bumps can mar the attractiveness of even the most manly penis – not to mention can put a partner’s mind to wandering over penis health and what they know about symptoms of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and whether those penis bumps mean they should develop a headache and slip out early. Of course, there are many causes of penis bumps, many of which are basically benign – such as lymphoceles.

What are lymphoceles?

Lymphoceles occur when lymphatic fluid accumulates in a sac or cavity causing it to swell beyond its normal size. Lymphatic fluid is the fluid that runs throughout the lymph system in the body, helping to take fluid out of tissues in the body and get the fluid back to the central circulatory system, so it can be re-routed, eventually leaving the body at the proper time. Thanks to the lymphatic system, proteins get put back into the bloodstream and many bacteria get destroyed.

But what causes lymphoceles? The most common cause is a complication due to surgery. Often, components of the lymphatic system may inadvertently be damaged during surgery. As a result, the lymphatic fluid may encounter a tear or a hole, causing the fluid to drain out into a nearby cavity. Alternatively, there may be a blockage of a lymphatic channel, which causes the fluid to build up and eventually leak out into a nearby cavity.

But that’s not the most common reason for lymphoceles on the penis. Instead, it is thought that lymphoceles occur on the penis due to some form of trauma other than surgery. Most often, this is probably a trauma brought about during sex. For example, a man may be utilizing a grip that is far too tight while masturbating, or an over-enthusiastic thrust during intercourse might result in some tearing or abrasion of the lymph channels.

However, it is not always related to sex. Sometimes a sharp blow to the penis, such as may be caused by a fast-moving baseball or a punch, can cause the sort of trauma that might result in lymphoceles.

Should a guy worry?

Okay, so a guy now knows a little about what lymphoceles are. Should he worry if he finds one or more on his penis? Not really. Lymphoceles are not a sign of an STI, so there’s no worry on that front. They also aren’t contagious. However, they can be sore and friction can cause them to feel even more painful – so it’s usually best to refrain from sex (both partner-based and solo) until they are gone.

Lymphoceles do tend to go away on their own after a while, but some guys like to hurry them along. Gently massaging them and applying a warm wet towel a couple of times a day can be helpful. If one stays for more than a few days or becomes increasingly painful, a visit to the doctor is in order.

Penis bumps caused by lymphoceles can be managed with relative ease. Maintaining overall penis care is made easier by the daily application of a top drawer penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Take the time to find a crème that contains both a high end emollient (shea butter is an excellent choice) and a potent moisturizer (vitamin E is excellent) to create a moisturization shield to lock in hydration of the penis. The best crème will also contain alpha lipoic acid, which, being a potent antioxidant, helps in the battle against oxidative stress by targeting excess free radicals.