Vericose vein in penis

[John__0__0]

  Dear Sir,
    I seem to have a vericose vein on my penis.  It is right in the middle of it.  It was small and circular when It first appeared at the age of 14.  Now I am 21 and it is a little bit bigger and round.  It has also extened somewhat towards the tip. It seems to be the largest vein that can be seen on the penis: the one that runs down the top of the penis.  From the vericose bulge,which is at the center of the penis, there is one vein extending down and to the left towards the base of the penis.  This vein is thick as if it is in erection even when my penis isn't erect.  So it looks very ugly sticking above the skin.  
       The ugliness isn't the main problem though.  The problem is that there is some pain in my penis which was hardly noticeable before.  Recently, I masturbated and the pain increased much more as if the increased blood flow through the vein was causing the discomfort.
       I wonder if my problem will increase much more in the future, If surgery can remove the vericose vein and if circulation would be compromised if surgery did remove the vein. I am concerned because it seems as if the vessel is important for the circulation of blood from that  area.  I know basic physiology and I have searched to the internet to figure out the situation but I don't know how circulation in the penis works.  So is the circulation problem an easy one to solve medically if surgery was done or should I worry about this.

[hfhs M.D.-AK]

Dear John,
Prominent veins along the penile shaft are no different than other superficial veins in the body. These veins can clot (thrombose) and become inflamed and painful. I would try an anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil, Aleve, Motrin to help with your pain.
We don’t tend to operate on the vein of the shaft of the penis.   This could lead to swelling of the head of the penis (glans).  However, the body is a remarkable organism that usually will overcome most obstacles.  If you remove one vein the body will utilize another path or create (regenerate ) an new path.  Therefore I don’t think the blood flow would be compromised to a significant degree.  
I always caution my patients when operating for pain.  Even though an anatomic abnormality has been identified a successful reduction of that abnormality does not always remove that pain.
It sounds like your concern is something that could be better assessed in a clinical visit.  The veins in question can be identified and a directed discussion performed.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.  More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword: thrombosed penile vein