Penile and testicular conditions

What are penile and testicular conditions?

There are several conditions that can cause complaints. They include infections of the penis (balanitis: inflammation of the head of the penis), the testes (orchitis) and the epididymis (epididymytis). However, there may also be complaints associated with penile or testicular cancer, or conditions that are related to the narrowing of the foreskin.

 

What are the complaints associated with penile and testicular conditions?

Balanitis causes redness and sometimes flaking, pain and itching.
Orchitis and epididymytis cause the swelling of the testis on the affected side, fever, discharge from the urethra, testicular or scrotal pain, and pain during urination.


The narrowing of the foreskin complicates hygiene, increases the likelihood of infection and causes painful erection and ejaculation.


People with intellectual disabilities sometimes find it impossible to communicate these symptoms. The people around them may then notice only a change in behaviour.

 

How common are penile and testicular conditions in the general population?

One-year prevalence rates in general practice are as follows 412 : pain in the penis or scrotum/testis without diagnosis: 0.17%, orchitis/epididymytis: 0.22%, balanitis: 4.3%, narrowing of the foreskin: 0.22%.

 

How common are penile and testicular conditions in people with intellectual disabilities?

It is not known how often people with intellectual disabilities have penile or testicular conditions. However, studies have shown that care staff are often not adequately informed about how, and how often, measures for penile hygiene should be performed, that they do not work in accordance with those requirements, or feel uncomfortable when doing so. This increases the risk of infections and the traumatic narrowing of the foreskin. 413

5.90% General population
Not known for people with intellectual disabilities

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Linden van der MW, Wester GP, de Bakker DH, Schellevis FG. Tweede Nationale Studie naar ziekten en verrichtingen in de huisartspraktijk: klachten en aandoeningen in de bevolking en in de huisartspraktijk. Utrecht/Bilthoven: NIVEL/RIVM 2004.

Linden van der MW, Wester GP, de Bakker DH, Schellevis FG. Tweede Nationale Studie naar ziekten en verrichtingen in de huisartspraktijk: klachten en aandoeningen in de bevolking en in de huisartspraktijk. Utrecht/Bilthoven: NIVEL/RIVM 2004.

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Wilson NJ, Cumella S, Parmenter TR, Stancliffe RJ, Shuttleworth RP. Penile hygiene: puberty, paraphimosis and personal care for men and boys with an intellectual disability. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2009 Feb;53(2):106-14.

Wilson NJ, Cumella S, Parmenter TR, Stancliffe RJ, Shuttleworth RP. Penile hygiene: puberty, paraphimosis and personal care for men and boys with an intellectual disability. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2009 Feb;53(2):106-14.