Penile pain refers to pain in the penis, human or otherwise. Penile pain refers to pain in the penis, human or otherwise. Priapus, a minor Greek god of fertility, is marked by his oversized, permanent erection, which gave rise to the medical term priapism. Some researchers believe the depiction of Priapus' penis referred to a penile disease, and that paintings of Priapus were used to ward off the disease.