Blood blister type thing on penis shaft

[Denverguy]

Hello Doctor, I am 20 years old and male, last night I noticed a small, dark pink/purplish, round discolouration on the shaft of my penis, towards the back and at the top. It looks kind of like a blood blister, or a small bruise, it is about 1-3mm in size. It does not hurt and it does not seem to be raised above the skin at all, it pretty much seems to be in the skin. This is the only thing I have noticed that is out of the ordinary.

Is this kind of thing normal? Could it just be a burst blood vessel or the result of some kind of trauma? Could this be indicative of any kind of STD? Or Penile Cancer for that matter?

Thanks a lot.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I cannot say what it is, but from your description, a burst blood vessell or bruise sounds like a good bet. Such a thing could result from minor trauma, e.g. from vigorous masturbation. Penile cancer doesn't occur in people your age, and doesn't look like you describe.  For sure no STD does such a thing, and that's where advice on this forum ends.

If the spot fades away over a few days and your penile skin looks normal again, I would just forget it.  But if it persists, or if you want to be even more certain, see a health care provider in person. There is no point in further speculation on line; personal examination is the only way to know for sure what it is.  But in the meantime, I wouldn't lose any sleep over something like this.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD  

[Denverguy]

Thanks doc, I was more concerned about cancer, because I have a reasonable knowledge about STD's and it didn't seem like anything to me, but I wanted to rule them out before I worried about other stuff, and your commentrs re: cancer are very reassuring. I have to go to the doctor anyway so ill just get him to check it out

Thanks again.