Bleeding From the Penis: Should I Be Worried?

Bleeding from the penis is not a normal occurrence and should be a cause for concern. There are many potential causes for bleeding from the penis. And while many of these causes are benign and easily treatable, bleeding from the penis can sometimes be a medical emergency or a sign of a serious medical condition. Here is what you need to know about bleeding from the penis, when you should seek medical attention and take care of your health.

When to see a doctor?

Bleeding from the penis can be a medical emergency. If you have bleeding that is heavy or severe, painful, or interferes with normal function (such as urination, erections, or ejaculation), then you should seek immediate medical care. If you have a fever with bleeding you should seek immediate medical care. If you have constant or repeated bleeding or blood in the urine you should seek medical care; it could be a sign of a serious medical condition.

However, if there is an obvious explanation for your bleeding (such as a nick from shaving), it does not interfere with normal function, and it only occurs once, then you may not need immediate care. Symptoms that are persistent, recurring, or worsening, however, should be assessed by a healthcare provider.

Bleeding from the penis or blood in the urine can be potentially alarming and is definitely a cause for concern. There are many possible causes for penile bleeding, most of which are easily treatable, we will discuss all of possible causes in this article. Regardless of the cause, you should seek proper medical advice and treatment for bleeding from the penis.

Sources of bleeding from penis

To better understand what may be causing penis bleeding, it is important to know where the blood is coming from.

• Bleeding from the penis can come from the skin (including under the foreskin). Bleeding from the surface of the penis and foreskin can come from a skin lesion, cut, or other physical trauma.
• Bleeding from the urethra includes blood in the urine (hematuria) and blood in the semen (hematospermia). Blood in the urine or semen can come from anywhere in the urinary tract or the prostate gland. Infection of the testicles very rarely causes bleeding, but it is possible.

Blood coming out of the penis can be dark to bright red and may include small (sometimes stringy) blood clots. Blood can turn urine pink to dark red, but depending on the amounts of blood it may not be noticeable. Bleeding can occur with or without pain, but is most often painless.

Causes for blood from penis

There may be several different causes of penile bleeding, some of which are more serious than others.

Physical trauma

Trauma to the penis or urinary tract can cause bleeding. This includes accidents and injuries involving blunt or penetrating trauma to the groin, abdomen, or back, all of which can injure the urinary tract. Some medical procedures can also cause bleeding, including surgery, catheter placement or removal, kidney biopsy, or cystoscopy. Rough sexual activity or urethral sounding (inserting objects into the urethra) can also cause injury to the penis. It is rare yet possible for testicular injury to cause bleeding.

Prostate disease

The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra between the bladder and the penis. Diseases affecting the prostate can cause bleeding and hematuria, including infection, cancer, or an enlarged prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes the prostate to enlarge. An enlarged prostate can be highly vascularized, having more blood vessels than normal that make it prone to bleeding.

Urinary tract infection

Infections and kidney diseases can cause bleeding from the penis. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can sometimes cause bleeding. Kidney stones or bladder stones can cause blood in the urine and they may cause bleeding as they pass through the ureters and urethra. Tuberculosis affecting the urinary tract may also cause bloody urine. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) do not usually cause bleeding in men, but it is possible.

Cancer

Cancer of the urethra, bladder, ureters, kidneys, or prostate can all cause bleeding from the penis. This includes primary cancers (such as bladder cancer) as well as metastatic cancer originating in other parts of the body. Cancer of the penis or foreskin, including several types of skin cancer, can cause bleeding from ulcers or other skin lesions.

Medications

Certain medications can cause blood in urine, including chemotherapy drugs and penicillin. Anticoagulants (blood thinners) can increase the risk of bleeding throughout the body, including the penis and urinary tract. Overuse of ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause kidney damage, resulting in blood in the urine.

Diagnosing bleeding from the penis

Diagnosing the cause of bleeding from the penis requires a physical exam and careful medical history. Additionally, one or more tests may be needed, including blood tests and imaging, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) may be needed to diagnose problems with the kidney, ureters, and bladder. IVP involves a series of x-rays taken after injecting a dye into your veins. A cystoscopy uses a long, thin tube attached to a camera that is inserted into the urethra and into the bladder to identify possible causes of bleeding.

Treating bleeding from the penis

Treatment for bleeding from the penis varies based on the cause. If a traumatic injury is causing bleeding, it may only require wound care. If the damage is severe, however, surgery may be needed to repair the penis and prevent complications such as erectile dysfunction. Bleeding from an enlarged prostate may require treatment with a minimally invasive procedure or more complicated surgery.

For bleeding due to a UTI or other infection, oral antibiotics are typically prescribed. Additionally, if kidney or bladder stones are causing bleeding, then medications may be necessary to help dissolve the stones as well as treat nausea and pain. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove stones.

If a medication is causing bleeding, the medication may need to be reviewed by your doctor and adjusted or discontinued. If an underlying condition is causing bleeding, then that condition needs to be treated.