Expert: Arthur Goldstein, M.D. - 3/9/2007

Question
Hello, my girlfriend wife and I have a healthy sexual relation ship.  One night after having sex, I noticed that my penis was sore on the left side on the back (part closest to my body). It felt almost like a tendon or a hardened vein.  My penis itself does not hurt, but this vein or what ever it is is very tender when touched/rubbed. I have had this now for a month.. I finally had to stop having any sexual contact with my wife and go to a urologist. The doctor told me not to worry, and that it would just take time. He told me to take IB profein to help with the pain. Have you ever heard of anything like this... will it go away, am i broke?  

Answer
Brett, you are not broken!  What you are describing probably represents a thrombosis (clot) of a penile lymphatic vessel.   Lymphatics are tissue vessels that are present all over the body connecting   lymph nodes.  It is a distinctly separate system from blood vessels (arteries and veins).  Rather than blood, they carry an opaque fluid called lymph.   Their function is to keep the tissues healthy by filtering out harmful substances (such as bacteria, viruses, tumor cells, etc.) and enhancing immunity.  Sometimes during sexual activity, the lymphatics get bruised resulting in subsequent clot formation.   One notices a firm, often finely beaded vessel under the skin of the penis that is mildly tender.  This is not a dangerous condition and the clot resolves on its own in a few weeks unless there is recurrent trauma to the area.  Therefore, sexual activity should be curtailed until healing has occurred. When you resume sex, use a good lubricant and try to avoid excessive trauma to the penis.   Good luck!