It is very normal to see veins on the penis. And some penises may be extra “veiny”. However, the veins should feel soft. In fact, you should not really be able to feel them at all because they should collapse easily with very little pressure. However, if you do feel a cord or hard string-like structure under your penis skin, this could indicate something more. Read on to find out the commonest causes of cords under the skin and how you can treat them.
What causes cords under the penis skin?
In order to answer this question, it is useful to first know of the 2 different types of vessels that run under the penis skin, Namely – the venous system and the lymphatic system.
The Venous system of the penis
Veins are vessels that carry blood out of the penis while arteries are vessels that carry blood into the penis. Arteries are located deep within the penis and cannot be felt from the outside.
Veins are found almost everywhere in the penis. There are deep veins and there are superficial veins that are found just under the skin. They all connect to each other in a network called a plexus. Superficial veins run just under the skin and are easily visible.
There is one rather large vein called the Superficial Dorsal vein that runs from the head of the penis straight down to the base along the top of the shaft. In other words, if you look straight down at your penis, you should be able to see this vein running straight down along the length of the penis.
Veins are a lot more obvious or prominent when the penis is erected as more blood is flowing through them. Also, an erected penis presses on the veins to stop blood from flowing back into the body. This is how an erection is maintained.
The Lymphatic system of the penis
Veins are not completely water tight. The walls of veins are alive, active and porous. The liquid portion of the blood (as opposed to the cells) leak out of the veins.
This liquid is collected by the lymphatic system and fed back into the veins. So the lymphatic system is another set of vessels that run almost parallel to the veins.
The lymphatic system also a significant part of our immune system. When there is an infection or inflammation, the lymphatic system carries inflammatory chemicals and dead bacteria along with dead cells away from the infected area. This is why sometimes you see lymph vessels and lymph nodes near an infected area get red or swell.
So what happens to these systems to form cords?
Either of these vessels can get blocked or inflamed. When this happens, they harden up (the technical term used is “indurated”). They can then be felt as cords under the skin.
The term used to describe lymphatic vessels that have become inflamed and hardened is Sclerosing-Lymphangitis.
The term used to describe veins that have become inflamed and hardened is Thrombophlebitis. This also is known by a rather scary sounding name of Mondor’s Disease of the Penis.
What causes the veins or lymphatic vessels to become inflamed?
There are many possible causes including:
1. Frequent and/or prolonged sexual intercourse
2. Trauma to the penis
3. Infections around the penis
4. STDs
5. Use of vacuum pumps
6. Holding your urine for too long
There are also much rarer causes such as clotting disorders of the blood and even cancers. But these are rare causes.
What are the symptoms?
During the first few weeks of the cord forming there might be some discomfort. Rarely do patients complain of pain.
Most times, you will just notice a hardened cord like structure just under the skin of the penis. You may or may not be able to slide the skin over it. This is normal.
Also, the cord can run along the length of the penis. It can also run around the circumference of the penis (this frequently occurs just under the head of the penis – a region known as the sulcus). The cord can also run diagonally across the shaft of the penis.
One of the most frequent veins to be affected is the superficial dorsal vein. The cord would then run along the top of the penis lengthwise.
What are the treatments available?
Most patients would just need to stop sexual activity for a period and the inflammation will subside on its own.
Doctors may prescribed medicines to reduce the inflammation or even medicines to make the blood more fluid (less like to clot).
If the cord does not disappear on its own after 6 weeks and continues to bother you, you may require a minor surgery to remove it.
What should I do now?
If you feel a hardened cord under the skin of your penis and it is bothering you, come to our clinic to have yourself assessed.
Our Doctors are experienced in dealing with this problem conservatively. Also, if you require surgery, our Doctors are experienced in surgeries to remove the affected cords.
WhatsApp us at +65-97505037
Or Email us at doc@drtanmedicalcenter.com.sg