What Causes Dark Pubic Skin?

Posted on Thu, 11 Sep 2014

Question: Hello. The skin in my pubic area is darker than the rest of my body. Is this a cause of concern? I read online about it and it said that this could be due to obesity and insulin resistance. However, while I used to be obese I lost a significant amount of weight and now I am just overweight (175 height 83 kg). I also tested for diabetes a number of times and my sugar levels were thankfully normal.

In addition to the above, the pubic area in general feels numb. I also can rarely feel my penis unless it is fully erect, and even then the sensation is weak and the erection barely lasts. I suspect I have hemorrhoids, and when these flare up it almost becomes impossible to get an erection, and my penis becomes very small in size when it is flaring

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A few causes that need ruling out - visit doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

i have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I can understand how you must be worried about your presentation and I am here to help you with direction and guidance towards finding the cause for your presentation. There are a very few conditions that can present with symptoms similar to yours and I shall list them out for your reference:

-Diabetes mellitus: Please make sure you have taken all of the following investigations to completely rule out DM - fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar, post-prandial blood sugar and most importantly HbA1c

-Peripheral vascular disease: Narrowing of blood vessels

-Buerger's disease: A rare disease of arteries and veins that cause them to get blocked due to swelling, resulting in poor blood delivery to the affected regions which can result in numbness along with other symptoms

-Varicose veins

-Direct trauma/injury of the affected region or infections of the affected area

I understand you have undertaken a few investigations that have returned normal results, could you share these with me by attaching them to our discussion sir? This would greatly help. For now I think you need to report to a doctor to rule out the above conditions. I can suggest a few investigations to look for the cause once you write back to me with the ones you have already conducted.

I look forward to your kind response in order to further help you sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (44 hours later)

Hello Dr. Sohaib. Thank you for your answer. I've attached the reports.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you, tests recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir and thank you for thpse reports.

I would recommend a doctors visit for an elaborate evaluation and request for the following investigations:
-Blood coagulation profile
-Blood glycaemic profile (including RBS, FBS, PPBS, HbA1c)
-Ultrasound examination of the affected region
-Physical examination of the affected region
-Swab sample of the affected skin

I would also like to ask if you noticed the discoloration after a change in soap, cloth washing detergent, new talcum powder, shaving the region often, any itching, etc. If you noticed that this discoloration began after the introduction of something new, please think thoroughly and write back to me or inform the doctor (preferably a dermatologist) you are meeting.

I hope this information helps you sir, and I also hope your doctor is able to find the cause for your presentation and help you accordingly. Please do not hesitate to write to me and keep me updated or write to me for any further assistance, I am always here to help.

Best of luck and God bless.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 hours later)

Hi dr. I am not sure when the discoloration began, but i coukd have been from a few years ago (when the erectile difficulty problem started or even before then). I did some blood work at the time to investigate the erection issue and it was normal, but syptoms have gotten worse since thdn.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Strongly suspecting circulatory abnormality

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Have you ever undergone an ultrasound of the region, or a Doppler scan of the affected region. With the given history of erectile dysfunction and now discoloration of the overlying skin in the region, poor circulation to this region can be suspected sir.

I would strongly recommend an ultrasound or Doppler scan of the region and investigation of all possible conditions that can cause your blood vessels to be less healthy than normal like diabetes, atherosclerosis, vitamin B12 deficiency, etc. So please discuss this with your doctor and I am hoping all your problems should be resolved including erectile dysfunction.

Please do not hesitate to write back to me anytime for anything, I am always here to help.

Best of luck sir.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar