Page 15 - Urological Health

Treating scrotal pain depends on the expected diagnosis. There are rarely simple diagnoses, and
sometimes many treatments may be tried. The main treatment includes antibiotics if an infection is
considered. Anti-inflammatory medications and pain medications are common, and occasionally
the treatment course is longer than with other infections or pains.You may find it helpful to have some
scrotal support while you walk – this may relieve the pain. For chronic cases, treatments, such as nerve
blocks and, more rarely, surgery, may be required. Scrotal pain often does, however slowly, get better
over time.

13. What does blood in my semen mean?

Blood in the semen can be very surprising and alarming, but it is almost always non-threatening.
Blood in the semen, or hematospermia, commonly occurs after a biopsy of the prostate. The needles
cause blood to escape into the ducts and glands that make up the prostate, and the blood then may
enter the semen with an ejaculation. Also, after a prostate biopsy, the blood in the semen can last for
amonthor more,and often goes throughacolour change,from red todarker colours,and occasionally
can look like black streaks or tar. This is similar to the colour changes you see with a deep bruise on
any other part of the body. This happens because the blood pigment breaks down and is reabsorbed
by the body.

It is often difficult to find other causes of blood in the semen. Cancer and other threatening
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diseases are very rarely the cause. Infection or inflammation of the prostate, whether you have
symptoms or not, is the most common cause. There is usually little to do, but a thorough history of the
symptom, an examination of the genitals and of the prostate, and some urine tests. There is rarely a
need for more invasive tests, like blood tests or ultrasound of the prostate. In most cases, the blood
disappears on its own.

14. What might cause a rash, spot or sore on my penis?

The skin of the penis is very much like the skin of the rest of the body, and is therefore subject to the
same lumps, bumps and rashes. Some genital sores or lesions need special attention.

Malignant lesions of the penis are very rare; they can be dangerous and are different than
cancerous skin lesions elsewhere on the body. Most develop in men who are uncircumcised. Lesions
are uncommon in men who carefully care for their foreskin and practice good penile hygiene.
Cancers of the penis will present as painless and firm growths, often on the head of the penis, and
occasionally causing the foreskin to become stuck. A foreskin that does not retract normally is only very
rarely caused by penile cancers, so if you are having foreskin troubles, don’t automatically think of
cancer. Premalignant lesions of the penis will often have sharp borders and be velvety in texture.

Lesions or sores can also spread by physical or sexual contact. If a new skin change appears on the
penis, consider your recent sexual history.

• Common lesions include those from herpes virus, which will often appear as small
blisters called vesicles, and will often come with or after flu-like symptoms. These are
painful and red areas of the penile head or shaft skin.

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