Painful penis problem
 

Hi all. First, a little history. When I was a little kid I had difficulty retracting my foreskin to the point that I had to have surgery. Since then the area between the head and shaft of my penis has always been slightly red and a little sore. I put this down to it rubbing during masturbation, as I could often feel it rubbing slightly during said act. Sometimes during it I could also feel a little bump going over the head, which was sore. I assume this is a vein.
Today my girlfriend gave me a handjob and that red area was more painful than usual. I of course said nothing and just grinned and bared it, quite literally in fact.
Anyway, less than an hour ago I got in the bath and went about giving the little guy a good scrubbing. I noticed that the area was now very red and extremely painful indeed. There was also a tiny little fleck of very deep red just visible (I wasn't wearing my glasses in the bath so couldn't quite make it out), but it looked to be at the end of the afore-mentioned vein. This particular little mark was actually quite agonising when it came into contact with the (quite hot) water, and when I moved my foreskin around. Naturally this has got me very worried indeed, especially considering I will be losing my virginity in three days.
I should mention that I keep my little friend in good shape, and wash him daily with soap and water.
Any replies, be they to laugh at or sympathise with me, or better yet to offer any kind of advice, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Go see a urologist... do it now.

OK. I've had a better look at it under a good light wearing my glasses. It appears there's a few red blotches on the tender bit under the head when you pull the foreskin back very far. There's no small fleck of darker red, fortunately, but there does seem to be a blotch on each side of the head. They are on the bit where it curves round into the space between it and the head, with the tiny little bumps all along it.

Anything that’s painful in that area just sounds like something you probably don’t want to risk. I would go see your doctor ASAP and try to figure out what can be done to stop this from happening.

i would say hold off on sex until you get it checked out... you dont know how serious it may be. dont risk it, just go see a doctor.

Anytime there's something not normal with your unit, get it checked out. Too risky not too.

Definatley get it checked out. With all do respect to the members of this forum I don't know if anyone can help you out there. Ask a professional.

Well, it was just a mild case of thrush. I have some nice cool penis-cream. The tube says to "Keep the affected area exposed to air as much as possible". Well, I'm off for a walk in the park...

haha, go for it man. Be like, "The doc says my penis has to be exposed to the air as much as possible and I need to get this stuff done." go do all your x-mas shopping and such...do it...

Geez, what are you waiting for....get to a doctor!!

what exactly is thrush? I have noticed a similar problem; it is quite red and tender to the touch on the head and the area that is hidden by foreskin. it almost looks (chapped?) I haven't had sex at all, so I can rule out that. could it just be dry? its wintery here, so that might have something to do with it. any help would be appreciated.

Could it be balanitis?

It's not supposed to be particularly serious (I'm no doctor), but I'd get as much information as I can (a few Google searches) to help put into perspective any worries you might have and then if you decide to go to the doctor, you'll be able to have a more informed, more worthwhile and less embarrasing conversation.

thanks zen_tom, I'm pretty sure thats it. Truth is, I haven't had a shower in a little while, now that I think about it, and I've been skiing, so the poor little guy would've been trapped in a warm location all isolated and whatnot. Anyway, thanks again, I was getting a little worried.