Tender lump on head of penis

[Anxious1000]

Hello Doctor,

I very much hope you might be able to shed some light on a rather unpleasant problem I'm having.

About 2 weeks ago I noticed a lump just to the side of the opening where the urine comes out on the head of my penis - at first it wasn't painful.

As the days went by however it grew in size a little, went a darker pink, and became tender to the touch. It is uncomfortable when it brushes against my clothing or anything at all in fact. And it stings slightly after urination.

I have been suffering from Chronic Prostatitis for almost 3 years now but have not had any external lumps like this before - I was wondering if this development was just another symptom of Prostatitis I had so far been spared, or something else.

I'm on a strong course of Ciprofloxacin at present and have been for the last 3 weeks (500mg twice a day) - as my Prostatitis flared up quite painfully recently - which makes me doubt that the lump is a bacterial infection of some kind - as surely these powerful antibiotics would sort that out - but as I say for two weeks now I've had this little tender lump and it doesn't seem to be going away.

It does get less painful as the day wears on though, as I can take care not to bash it about, but then I wake up the next day it's sore again, just from gentle pressure of my lying on my front while I sleep.

I am uncircumsized, and haven't had a whiff of sexual activity since coming down with the prostatitis - so would think we can rule out an STD. Although I did go to the dentist a few days before I first noticed the lump so I supppose I could have contracted something there from an infected dental instrument of some kind.

I sincerely hope you might have any ideas or lines of enquirey I could pursue, as my doctor didn't seem to have any answers. Over these last few years my quality of life has already been a considerably lessened with the symptoms of my prostatitis, and this new development, on top of those, is really starting to wear me down, so any ideas you have would as least give me something to work with.

Of course if it is just another symptom of prostatitis - knowing that would help too, as then I could try to stop worrying about it, and just get on with things.

Many thanks for your time - Anxious1000.

[marcus93]

thankyou soo much because i'm experiencing this now.

[Anxious1000]

UPDATE - OK well just in case some other poor soul stumbles across this page I thought I should update you.

About a month has passed and the lump has got smaller and is less tender - Hooray! No idea if it'll go for good, but it's much better than it was. My doctor was about as helpful as a nail made of fudge and didn't have any ideas. However I shoudln't be too harsh on him because he did prescribe me some Canestan cream which I dutifully applied and this might have helped.

My own suspision is that this is just another less common symptom of my chronic prostatitis.

My advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similat position would be to see their doctor - get the cream, take regular baths with salts, avoid bashing around the tender area and things should calm down over a week or so - and don't panic!

Best of luck people!

Anxious1000