A penis is a unique organ found in men responsible for carrying out sexual activities and functions. It is accountable for his urination and ejaculation of sperm also.
Penis differs in size, shape, and color and is each unique. Having a veiny penis is often regarded as a penile ‘flaw.’
Other penile ‘flaw’ include that penis leans to one side, slight penile curvature when erect, one testicle hangs lower, dark genitals, freckles, moles, skin tags, scattered scrotal spots, veiny vanity,loose skin, shrinkage, and other penis and scrotal bumps and lumps.
Are Penis Veins Normal?
It is entirely reasonable for you to have penis that are veiny. To be precise, your penis veins are very much needed. After blood circulates in your penis to result in erection, your veins are responsible for the blood’s transportation to your heart.
Most men possess more penis veins which are visible than others. The shape and size of your penis veins tend to change during a particular period or to have sex, having vessel surgery, or getting injured.
Why is my penis so veiny?
Have you noticed that some people have veins on their arms which are very visible as compared to others? It is usually influenced by some factors like your skin’s thickness, your vein’s size, and the amount of events you are actively involved in.
The visibility of the penis vein is influenced by different kinds of these similar factors.
If you achieve an erection, the oxygenated blood directly from your heart moves from your arteries directly to your spongy tissue known as the corpus cavernosum and the corpus spongiosum, your genital shaft.. The blood remains there until your erection goes down.
The blood drains across your veins which pass through the outer layer of your penis. The particular increase in the circulation of blood in your penis can cause your veins to seem much more substantial than normal.
These veins might not be seen if your penis becomes flaccid because very small amount of blood flows through them during this period.
Do the veins have an impact on erection or ejaculation?
Some conditions negatively affect your blood flow like blood clots, the size of you veins, and also have effects on your erectile functioning.
What if the veins are more prominent than usual?
Your vein size varies over a period because of sexual activities or an underlying issue that negatively affects the circulation of blood in your penis.
Possible causes
Vein size and visibility changes with time; it can be as a result of numerous factors. Factors which can cause visible veins in men to include:
Regular sexual activity
If you achieve an erection, like about 4.5 ounces of your blood circulates to your spongy tissues found in your penis. Your blood continues to reside there, engulfing the tissues of the penis until the erection subsides or you ejaculate.
The blood moves to the heart following the veins as a passageway to your penis, making them appear swollen than before. It is a natural part of achieving an erection.
You do not notice the veins on your penis when it is flaccid; the vein however becomes after you have engaged in a solo masturbation or engages in sex. There should be no cause for alarm if your veins become swollen after having sex.
Varicocele
Varicocele is known as the abnormally large veins that are located on your scrotum, making them appear veiny.Varicoceleis also known as varicose veins and is very similar to the enlarged veins present on your legs.
This usually occurs when you are a teenager, and they typically do not need a cause for alarm because you might not even recognize them.
But in some rare cases, a varicocele can cause pain that:
- Feels dull or aching
- Sharpens right after a prolonged activity or exercise.
- Gradually worsen throughout the day.
Visit your doctor if you are experiencing discomfort and pain because he can diagnose your signs and give you advice on the next step to take.
Through surgery, veins which are abnormally large can be treated. If it is not treated, a varicocele can restrict the circulation of blood in your penis.
This can further interfere with the production of sperm in a man and cause:
- Infertility
- Low sperm production and motility
- Testicular atrophy and shrinkage of an affected testicle.
Blood clots
Blood clots, also known as thrombosis develops in the veins of the penis when a large number of blood cells form clump each other in a single blood vessel. This blocks or restricts the flow of blood through the vessels.
The dorsal penile vein, is found right above your shaft, is responsible for the development of penile blood clots. Blood clots tend to cause discomfort and pain combined with a visibly enlarged vein in your penis.
The pain is usually very noticeable if you achieve an erection. The veins of the penis tend to be tender or firm to touch even though you have a flaccid penis.
You can have a blood clot of your penis as a result of various causes like regular or lack of sex, penile tumors, penis injury, or penis infection.
If you experience pains when you touch your penis veins or experience pains when you achieve or maintain an erection, you need to visit your doctor immediately.
Certain surgeries
If you have any surgeries carried out on your genital area, scrotum, penis, or on your lower body, it can disrupt the circulation of blood that moves from and to the penis.
There is some particular type of surgeries which can result in a penis veins, they include:
- Varicocelectomy: This is a surgery that doesn’t to get rid of varicocele.
- Vasculitis: This is surgery carried out to lower the level of inflammation in blood vessels.
- Vein removal.
If your penis has more visible veins than before after surgery, it is essential to see your doctor. Improper circulation of blood in your penis or blood clots can result in severe complications, so you must get treatment immediately.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is known as the swelling that happens when lymph fluid flows incorrectly through the body. Veins are more visible than usual when they swell as a result of lymphedema.
Causes of lymphedema include:
- Cancer treatment
- Infection
- Injury
- Blockages in the lymphatic system
- Removal of lymph nodes
- Scar tissue buildup from surgery
Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease happens when plague or scar tissue forms at the bottom or top of the penis.
This buildup of plaques can cause the penis to bend or curve, which can result in chronic pain during any sexual activities. This scar tissue becomes firm when they are touched and feel like hard, solid mass underneath the skin.
Causes of Peyronie’s disease include:
- Injury
- Aging
- Autoimmune disease
- Vigorous sexual activity
Lymphangiosclerosis
Lymphangiosclerosis is referred to as the abnormal hardening of a lymph vessel located in the penis.
Lymphangiosclerosiscan develop as a result of:
- An injury that leads to damage in the penis
- Scarring caused by circumcision
- Vigorous sexual activity
- Sexually transmitted infections
Unlike a visible vein, lymphagiosclerosis looks very similar to the rest of your skin. The hardened type of a lymph vessel is formed below the head of the penis and is about three millimeters thick.
To diagnose lymphangiosclerosis, a doctor needs to conduct a blood test and analyze a tissue sample. Lymphangiosclerosis is known to go away within four to six weeks, and it barely causes any severe complication.
People suffering from lymphangiosclerosis should endeavor to abstain from any sexual-related activity with masturbation inclusive.
When to see your doctor
Usually, it should not be a cause of concern if the veins of your penis are more visible than before. If the visibility of your penis vein is causing you discomfort, you can see your therapist. You can be diagnosed of any underlying illness by accessing your symptoms.
You should visit your doctor if you are experiencing:
- Pain caused during ejaculation
- Pain experienced during an erection
- Swelling of one or two of your testicles or your penis
- Having veins that are tender or hard if they are touched
- Certain bumps located on your scrotum or penis
Conclusion
The appearance of visible veins in the penis of a man is a thing for concern; however, it is entirely reasonable in some cases. It mostly occurs as a result of the average circulation of blood to and from the penis.
In some cases, the visible appearance of your penis veins is due to an underlying medical condition. These conditions include Peyronie’s disease, lymphangiosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases such as blood clots.
People may want to consult their doctor if they start noticing cord-like structures on their testicles or penis.
You must seek immediate medical assistance if you experience painful erection or ejaculation, swelling or lumps on the penis or scrotum, pain in the lower back or abdomen, and unusual discharge from the penis.
Your doctor would be able to diagnose your symptoms and give you advice on what to do.
