What could cause pain inside the penis?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain inside the penis often stems from muscle trigger points in the pelvic floor or nerve-related problems such as pudendal neuralgia. These issues can cause soreness, aching, burning, or general discomfort inside the shaft, even when no visible injury is present.

Because penile pain can also signal infections, urinary conditions, or referred pain from nearby structures, identifying the true cause matters. A fast, free, and private symptom check can help you clarify what's driving your discomfort and guide your next steps—so you can act with confidence instead of guessing.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Pain inside the penis can come from different problems, including muscle and nerve issues.

Muscle Trigger Points:

Sometimes, pain is due to small spots in muscles called trigger points. These spots can cause discomfort and pain in the penis area.

Nerve Problems:

Nerve issues can also cause penile pain. This can happen when the nerves in the penis are not working right, which might make the penis feel sore or hurt.
In some cases, surgery might help if the nerve is causing the pain.

These problems can make the penis feel sore or uncomfortable, and it is important to talk to a doctor if you are experiencing this kind of pain. You can start by taking a free symptom checker test to better understand your symptoms and get personalized guidance on next steps.

(References)

Anderson RU, Sawyer T, Wise D, Morey A, & Nathanson BH. (2009). Painful myofascial trigger points and pain sites in men with .... The Journal of urology, 19837420.
Amarenco G, Bosc S, & Goldet R. (1997). [Penile neuropathy: clinical and electrophysiologic study. .... Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology, 9206758.
Klifto KM, & Dellon AL. (2020). Neurolysis of the Dorsal Nerve to the Penis to Restore .... Annals of plastic surgery, 31904648.

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