Treatment for penis swelling depends on its cause. If a man has penis swelling because of a minor injury to the area, using an ice pack might help. Often, however, conditions like balanitis, Peyronie’s disease, and priapism are at fault. Sometimes, penis swelling goes away on its own, given time, but in other cases injections, medications, or surgical treatment becomes necessary. In some cases, treating the condition that caused the swelling helps as well.
Balanitis is one condition capable of causing the penis to swell. It is marked by swelling that affects the head of this organ but not the shaft. If a man is uncircumcised, it can affect his foreskin as well, and sometimes a rash, visible reddening, pain, and abnormal discharge appear along with the penis swelling. Balanitis is usually caused by infection, irritation, or an inadequately treated medical condition and is more common in men who haven't been circumcised. Treatment depends on the problem that caused it but can include antibiotics, taken orally or applied topically, care of any underlying conditions, and sometimes circumcision.
A man may also have swelling of this organ because of a condition called priapism. This condition is marked by an erect penis that won’t return to its flaccid state after an orgasm or arousal loss. Eventually, this problem can cause penile tissues to become scarred, leading to permanent damage. Doctors usually treat it by draining blood from the penis, with medications that impede blood flow to the genitals, by treating the conditions that caused it, or with surgery.
Swelling of the penis sometimes starts out as a seemingly minor problem that is restricted to one part of the penis and accompanied by irritation. In time, however, the irritated, swollen area may form a hard patch in the penis and even cause the penis to become bent. This sometimes painful condition is referred to as Peyronie’s disease. Doctors aren’t sure what causes the condition, and it doesn’t always require treatment. Though it can take several months, it often goes away on its own.
When Peyronie’s disease does not get better on its own or in the event that it causes moderate to severe pain, a doctor can correct it surgically or using injections. Surgery often involves cutting the hardened part out of the penis and replacing it with healthy tissue while injections are used to soften the tissue in the affected area. A doctor’s treatment recommendation usually depends on the severity of the condition.
