What is Wrong with his Penis?

April 17, 2009 12:51 PM

A friend of mine showed me his penis with some concern. I don't think it's anything, but there were two dark brown freckle-looking things on the tip that probably weren't there before, and he claims to feel strange. Does anyone have any idea what this could be, or if it could be something alarming? The freckles are just minor discolourations and are not raised. Thank you. Prompt responses are appreciated!
posted by howgenerica to health & fitness (15 answers total)

Um, even if you are somehow able to post pictures of your friend's penis, this is not the kind of thing AskMe can help you with. Go to a doctor.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:55 PM on April 17, 2009 [4 favorites]

Yeah, your friend needs a doctor to advise him on the possibility that his penis freckles are penis cancer. I'm pretty sure that brand new penile melanoma spots don't make you "feel strange" so chances are that he's a hypochondriac. It's also possible that your friend just created an excuse to show you his penis. Tell you friend he has to go to the doctor if he's worried about his penis.
posted by nanojath at 1:03 PM on April 17, 2009 [4 favorites]

go to the doctor if the spots are new.

fwiw (not much) i've known some guys with freckles right on the tip/slit. i don't think it's that rare.
posted by nadawi at 1:09 PM on April 17, 2009

I am not a doctor, you are not a doctor and AskMe is not a doctor.

Time to go see a doctor.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:17 PM on April 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

Rule of thumb: anything sudden that happens to a penis that doesn't involve intentional pain or pleasure requires a medical attention. Period.
posted by zerokey at 1:26 PM on April 17, 2009 [2 favorites]

HPV (and penile cancer) symptoms can include flat areas of color change with or without changes in sensitivity.

It's his johnson, he should go to a doctor.
posted by rr at 1:32 PM on April 17, 2009

Unlike a leg or an eye, a penis is not something you can afford to lose. Go to a doctor for any sudden changes that don't involve orgasm.
posted by Foam Pants at 1:53 PM on April 17, 2009 [6 favorites]

It really amazes me that people don't automatically think "DOCTOR NOW" with these types of things.

DOCTOR NOW.
posted by ORthey at 3:02 PM on April 17, 2009 [2 favorites]

A friend of mine showed me his penis with some concern.

Why'd he show it to you? Are you a penis witch-doctor (I'm assuming not, since you are asking the hive-mind about his junk)? Why hasn't he gone to a medical professional about this?

Yeah, sudden color changes on the pecker that feel 'strange' are cause for great alarm. Even if I were a doctor, I couldn't do anything for your buddy via metafilter. Get that guy to a hospital.
posted by Pecinpah at 3:21 PM on April 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

It really amazes me that people don't automatically think "DOCTOR NOW" with these types of things.

Those people are usually in the US and don't have insurance, so going to the doctor costs money. It's a fucked-up choice to have to make, which is why this person is looking to AskMeFi for advice on whether to go.

But, on topic: This is not something you want your friend wants to be wrong about, especially in that area. You Your friend should get it checked out by a doctor.
posted by Simon Barclay at 5:15 PM on April 17, 2009

Um, even if you are somehow able to post pictures of your friend's penis, this is not the kind of thing AskMe can help you with. Go to a doctor.

Just putting the request out there, mods, can this be a permanent header on the sidebar?
posted by mannequito at 5:54 PM on April 17, 2009

In addition to "go to a doctor" you can read up about medical topics like this in Medline Plus (run by the US National Institute of Health) and WebMD which has the best symptom selector of any medical site I've seen.

So, tell your friend to see a doctor now. If without insurance, go to the ER and get free care. And while waiting, try the sites above.
posted by zippy at 5:57 PM on April 17, 2009

Those people are usually in the US and don't have insurance, so going to the doctor costs money. It's a fucked-up choice to have to make, which is why this person is looking to AskMeFi for advice on whether to go.

I live in the US, essentially don't have insurance, but would still go for something on my wanger.
posted by ORthey at 5:58 PM on April 17, 2009

Not only would I go to a doctor, I would go to the emergency room stat! if it was my junk that started changing color. Showing it to a friend would be lower, much lower, down the list. I also cannot imagine a number I wouldn't pay in order to get the all clear about my junk, insurance or not.

Maybe it is just a freckle.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:42 AM on April 18, 2009

Maybe it's HPV.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 12:19 PM on April 18, 2009