Why is my penis so veiny?

Dear Reader,

Ah yes, penis veins. As you noted, they're completely typical for many, and they may indeed change over time. The dorsal (top) side of the penis has a particularly large vein. Remember, these veins cause erections. Some people find them quite attractive and others do not. "Cosmetic" concerns are certainly a big deal when it comes to aspects of people's bodies that they would like to change. Still, you may want to ask yourself why these veins bother you visually speaking and to note whether or not any of these veins are causing you any physical pain, as this could be indicative of something more serious. Several potential causes of more prominent veins making an appearance include:

• Varicocele, a bag of worm-like veins around the testicles, could develop from poorly functioning valves in the testicles. Some men with varicocele also get prominent veins in their penises. A surgical procedure may correct this, but if you don't have the testicular cluster then this is probably not the cause.
• Masturbation, if it causes irritation, may contribute to inflammation and vein-prominence. However, if you aren't experiencing general irritation or pain when masturbating, it seems unlikely that this would be a contributing factor.
• Blood clots, especially in the legs, may contribute to increase in vein prominence. Have you noticed other veins becoming more prominent, especially in your neck? This could be an indicator of some forms of clots. While vein changes are a part of human growth, you may want to see a health care provider if you notice a lot of changes in your veins.
• Certain surgeries, especially if they involved any blood vessels, could aggravate vein prominence. If you've had recent surgeries, consulting your health care provider could be beneficial.

In some cases, surgery may decrease vein visibility but they are not always advised, as they may sometimes have the opposite effect. Consulting with your health care provider may be helpful, as they can perform an ultrasound if necessary.

Some people may feel especially uncomfortable consulting with their health care providers about sensitive issues like their penises, but it may comfort you to know that providers are trained to handle whatever comes their way, such as sexual health issues. If you feel as though you won't be able to bring this up with your current provider, you could consider switching to someone with whom you feel more comfortable.

If everything checks out, it may be helpful to explore why this feature concerns you. Veins on the penis are very common, so please know that your question was not submitted in vain.