Genital sores - male

A male genital sore is any sore or lesion that appears on the penis, scrotum, or male urethra.

Causes

A common cause of male genital sores are infections that are spread through sexual contact, such as:

• Genital herpes (small, painful blisters filled with clear or straw-colored fluid)

  Blisters

  A vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.

   

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• Genital warts (flesh-colored spots that are raised or flat, and may look like the top of a cauliflower)
• Chancroid (a small bump in the genitals, which becomes an ulcer within a day of its appearance)

  Ulcer

  Erosion is a breakdown of the outer layers of the skin, usually because of a: CutScrapeInflammation

   

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• Syphilis (small, painless open sore or ulcer [called a chancre] on the genitals)

  Ulcer

  Erosion is a breakdown of the outer layers of the skin, usually because of a: CutScrapeInflammation

   

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• Granuloma inguinale (small, beefy-red bumps appear on the genitals or around the anus)
• Lymphogranuloma venereum (small painless sore on the male genitals)

Other types of male genital sores may be caused by rashes such as psoriasis, molluscum contagiosum, allergic reactions, and non-sexually transmitted infections.

For some of these problems, a sore may also be found other places on the body, such as in the mouth and throat.

Home Care

DO NOT:

• Try to treat yourself before seeing a health care provider. Self-care may hide the symptoms and make it harder to find the cause of the problem.
• Have sexual contact until you have had a medical exam.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if:

• You have any unexplained genital sores
• New sores appear in other parts of your body

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The provider will perform a physical exam. The exam will include the genitals, pelvis, skin, lymph nodes, mouth, and throat.

The provider will ask questions such as:

• What does the sore look like and where is it located?
• Does the sore itch or hurt?
• When did you first notice the sore? Have you ever had similar sores in the past?
• What are your sexual habits?
• Do you have any other symptoms such as drainage from the penis, painful urination, or signs of infection?

Different tests may be done depending on the possible cause. These may include blood tests, cultures, or biopsies.

Treatment will depend on the cause. Your provider may ask you to avoid sexual activity or use a condom for a while.