Bruised Penis: Why Is My Penis Purple?

If you’ve read all the “purple dick” Reddit threads and still don’t know why your penis currently resembles the eggplant emoji, don’t panic. A bruised penis is usually not cause for concern.

It can happen for numerous reasons, like getting a little too rough in the bedroom or pulling your zipper up too quickly. But how do you know you have a penis bruise and nothing more serious?

Penile discoloration could be a sign of an underlying medical condition and should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Allergic reactions, sexually transmitted infections, and even penile fractures can all change the appearance of your penis — and these are just a few possibilities.

Keep reading to find out how to tell a bruised penis apart from other medical ailments, how bruising affects your penis’s function, and when to call a medical professional.

A bruise, or contusion, occurs when small blood vessels under the skin break open and leak blood. They can pop up anywhere on the body, including the genitals.

Bruises usually start off red but can turn various shades of color throughout the healing process, from blue and purple to green and yellow. They may also be tender to the touch.

One of the most common causes of a bruise on penis is injury. Sports injuries, zipper mishaps, and rough sex can all cause the blood vessels under the skin of the penis to break. You may also be more prone to bruising if you’re taking certain medications, such as blood thinners.

Signs you have a penis bruise:

• You remember injuring your penis.

• The color progresses from red to purple to greenish-yellow before gradually fading.

• The affected area is tender to the touch.

Most penis bruises clear up in about two weeks without treatment, but it can take months for the color to fade entirely. Applying ice to the affected area should speed up recovery.

A bruise isn’t always the cause of dark spots on the penis or other types of discoloration.

In some cases, it’s normal for your penis to turn a different color. During an erection, increased blood flow causes the corpora cavernosa (the spongy tissues of your penis) to fill with blood. This can make your penis appear red or slightly darker than usual.

But there are other instances where penile discoloration could be a sign of another medical condition, such as:

• Hematoma

• Allergic reaction

• Purpura

• STIs (sexually transmitted infections)

• Penile melanosis

• Lichen sclerosus

• Priapism

• Surgical side effects

Keep scrolling to learn about the symptoms of each condition and when to seek medical help.

1. Hematoma

A hematoma is a bruise within the deeper tissues under the skin. It’s caused by damage to larger blood vessels and is associated with more significant injuries like penile fractures or ruptured penile veins.

A penile fracture happens when an erect penis is forcibly bent, causing the tough connective tissue (the tunica albuginea) to tear. The injury is usually accompanied by a popping sound and an immediate loss of erection.

You may see discoloration of the penis and sometimes the scrotum, perineum, and thighs. The urethra might also be damaged. Surgery is often required for penile fractures.

A hematoma can also form when the superficial dorsal vein ruptures — that’s the vein that drains blood from the penis. Blunt trauma to the penis (usually during sex) can cause the vein to tear, leading to bleeding, swelling, and pain.

Unlike a penile fracture, there’s no popping sound or immediate loss of erection. Discoloration usually shows up at the base of the penis, while the glans (penis head) is unaffected. Surgery isn’t usually required.

2. Allergic Reaction

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are serious, life-threatening conditions that can cause purplish blisters on the penis (and other areas of the body), along with symptoms like fever and stinging eyes.

These conditions are typically caused by allergic reactions to certain drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.

SJS and TEN are medical emergencies that require immediate medical attention.

3. Purpura

Purpura, or blood spots, are reddish purple skin lesions. They appear when a buildup of antibodies within blood vessel walls makes them burst and leak blood.

You might see dark spots on the penis head, shaft, and scrotum, as well as on your butt and other lower extremities. The lesions will usually feel tender and swollen.

Studies show that purpura may show up after some bacterial infections, though its main cause is unknown.

Your healthcare provider will likely treat the condition with anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids.

4. Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)

Some STDs and STIs might cause the appearance of a bruised penis.

For instance, syphilis and genital herpes can lead to red or purple sores on your penis that may break and ooze and leak clear or yellow fluid. They might come with other symptoms, like:

• Itching

• Pain

• Fever

• Burning during urination

Like other STIs, herpes and syphilis can be treated and managed.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection and requires a round of antibiotics. Herpes is viral and can’t be treated with antibiotics, but antiviral medication may help manage and prevent outbreaks.

Using condoms is another way to avoid these and other STIs in the future.

5. Penile Melanosis

Penile melanosis is a rare but harmless skin condition that can cause flat, painless, dark spots on the shaft of the penis or penis head discoloration.

It happens when melanin (skin pigment) accumulates in concentrated patches on the skin’s surface.

Some research suggests penile melanosis can result from circumcision — and that the spots can appear months or even years after the surgery.

Penile melanosis doesn’t require treatment. But some men may want to pursue laser therapy or other cosmetic procedures if they feel self-conscious about the spots.

6. Lichen Sclerosus

Circumcised men may be more vulnerable to penile melanosis, but uncircumcised men might be more likely to develop lichen sclerosus.

Lichen sclerosus is an autoimmune condition that causes thin, white, wrinkled patches to form on the genitals. It can happen to men and women.

In men, the patches usually crop up on the foreskin or head of the penis. If the skin tears, red or purple spots might appear too. Other symptoms include itching and burning of the skin.

It’s unclear why lichen sclerosus happens. The condition is most often treated with topical steroids, but if symptoms worsen or persist, circumcision may be recommended.

7. Priapism

Priapism is a prolonged erection that lasts four hours or longer. It happens when there’s an issue with blood drainage, causing the penis to remain engorged with blood.

This can be a side effect of certain medications, like anticoagulants or antipsychotics, or due to blood disorders or penile injuries. Men with priapism might experience moderate to severe pain.

It’s uncommon for priapism to cause changes to the penile skin color or temperature. However, there have been rare cases where priapism made the penis head gradually darken as necrosis (death of body tissue) sets in.

But again, this outcome is extremely rare. A 2021 study stated that only 21 cases of penile necrosis due to priapism had been recorded.

Treatments include draining the penis and irrigating it with saline. In some instances, medication, injections, or surgery might be necessary.

8. Surgical Side Effects

Some penile surgeries or procedures may cause discoloration as a side effect.

Injections for Peyronie’s disease (penile curvature caused by plaque buildup or scar tissue) can cause bruising of the penis that changes your skin’s color.

Other surgeries involving the genital region, like hernia repairs and vasectomies, may also cause some post-procedure bruising or discoloration.

Ask your healthcare provider or urologist for tips on how to care for the affected areas at home to minimize bruising.

If you’re pretty sure you know why you have a bruise on your penis, and it isn’t causing any significant pain, it’ll probably go away on its own without treatment. But it also doesn’t hurt to rule out any other medical conditions.

Some signs you should call a healthcare provider right away:

• Severe pain

• Persistent swelling

• Open sores

• Pain or discomfort that radiates to your testicles, abdomen, or lower back

• Blood in your urine or stool

• A burning sensation when you urinate

• Fever

A urology specialist or other healthcare provider should be able to pinpoint what’s going on after thoroughly evaluating your symptoms and medical history.

A minor bruise shouldn’t cause any erectile difficulties. But if you feel pain during sex or masturbation, it’s best to back off and wait until you’re fully healed.

However, more significant injuries like penile fractures may cause erectile dysfunction (ED), especially if you delay seeking treatment.

In these cases, your healthcare provider might recommend ED medication like sildenafil (Viagra®) or tadalafil (Cialis®), which help improve blood flow to the penis.

You can also speed up recovery with at-home care, like using an ice pack or taking anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling.

Seeing a dark spot on your penis can be scary, but it doesn’t always mean there’s a serious problem.

Here’s what to remember about a bruised penis:

• If you remember injuring yourself, it’s probably a bruise. If you have a bruise, the color may change from red to purple to green or yellow before gradually fading. It might also be tender to the touch.

• It’s important to rule out other medical conditions. In some cases, discoloration or dark spots on your penis point to another problem, like allergic reactions, STIs, or purpura. If you’re unsure, or if you’re experiencing severe pain, seek medical care right away.

• A bruise shouldn’t affect erectile function. A minor bruise should fade on its own and not cause erectile problems. However, if you feel pain while having sex or masturbating, take a break.

• Treatments are available if you do face ED. More significant conditions, like penile fractures, may cause erectile dysfunction, which can be treated with ED medication.

Want more guidance on how to care for your penis? Check out these tips for keeping your penis healthy.