Short frenulum of the foreskin
A short frenulum of the foreskin is called shortening of the vertical fold of the skin located on the back surface of the penis. It connects the external opening of the urethra with the coronal groove.
The content of the article:
The reasons for the presence of a short frenulum of the foreskin
Symptoms of a short frenulum of the foreskin
Consequences of the anomaly
Diagnosis and treatment of the short frenulum of the foreskin
Prevention of a short frenulum of the foreskin
Short frenulum of the foreskin
In most cases, the anomaly is congenital, but it can also occur as a result of trauma to the glans penis. It is found most often in the puberty period, when the onset of sexual activity occurs. This is due to the fact that while the penis is at rest, pathology does not bring any inconvenience. In the state of erection, the short frenulum is strongly stretched, the head is not able to fully expose itself, this affects the shape of the penis in the state of erection (the head is deflected down). Such stretching can be accompanied by severe pain, during intimate intercourse the pain worsens, sometimes during coitus the frenulum is subjected to tears and even ruptures. In addition to severe pain, this leads to scarring and even more shortening of the frenulum. The treatment of a short frenulum of the foreskin is not a problem for modern medicine.
The reasons for the presence of a short frenulum of the foreskin
Most often, this pathology is congenital and is observed together with phimosis — congenital or acquired narrowing of the foreskin, which makes it impossible to completely expose the head of the penis.
With active growth in boys, the rate of increase in the cavernous bodies of the penis and skin structures may not correspond, so a short frenulum occurs. There are also cases when it is caused by inflammatory diseases of the penis that affect its structure.
Shortening of the bridle may result from injuries to the foreskin caused by wearing uncomfortable clothes, as well as practicing some sports. Sometimes the frenulum of the foreskin is deformed due to insufficient tissue regeneration in diabetes mellitus.
Symptoms of a short frenulum of the foreskin
There are the following main signs of a short frenulum of the foreskin:
pain during sexual contact;
injuries, tears and tears of tissues;
incorrect position of the glans penis during erection (lowered down).
The degree of pain varies depending on the length of the frenulum of the foreskin. If it is very short, sharp pain manifests itself already at the onset of an erection, and subsequent coitus is not possible. If its length is not critically small, an erection occurs painlessly, but the intimate contact itself brings discomfort, since the bridle does not allow you to move the folds of the skin and expose the foreskin. There are injuries to the frenulum of the foreskin, and each tear adversely affects its elasticity, which leads to increased pain during each subsequent coitus. When a gap is formed, an infection may be attached. Therefore, when symptoms are detected, qualified specialist help is needed in the treatment of a short frenulum of the foreskin.
Consequences of the anomaly
A short bridle also does not allow a man to clean the folds of the skin during hygienic procedures. Over time, due to insufficient quality hygiene, various fungal diseases may occur. For example, balanoposthitis or candidiasis.
A short bridle in the future can provoke problems with erection, premature ejaculation, becomes a psychological reason why a man avoids sexual contact.
Diagnosis and treatment of the short frenulum of the foreskin
Despite the fact that the anomaly is often congenital, it is quite difficult to identify it in infants and children. Since it begins to manifest itself during puberty, adolescents must necessarily undergo an examination by a urologist or andrologist, which makes it possible to identify the problem at that stage until various complications arise. These examinations are also important for the reason that teenagers at puberty, faced with a problem, often do not seek help from medical professionals and do not inform parents.
The occurrence of symptoms becomes a reason for consulting a specialist. The doctor records complaints and conducts an examination (if necessary, the penis is examined at rest or erection). Examination and probing give a complete picture, other diagnostic methods are not provided.
The only method of treating this anomaly that allows you to completely solve the problem in a short time is surgery. Frenulum plastic surgery — frenulotomy — is performed using local anesthesia. A standard frenulotomy consists of dissecting the frenulum and ligating the vessels. This is the most common method.
With insufficient length of the frenulum in combination with hypersensitivity of the glans penis, a Z-shaped frenulotomy is prescribed. The dissection is performed in the shape of the letter Z, obtaining two triangular-shaped flaps. When they are stitched, the effect is achieved when the seam is not subsequently stretched.
Sometimes doctors resort to an operation called circumcision (circumcision of the foreskin). It is the optimal solution when a short frenulum is accompanied by a narrowing of the foreskin (phimosis).
Excision of scar tissue during surgery is performed with any of the selected options in case of scarring after ruptures and tears of the frenulum. The result of surgical intervention is an increase in the length of the frenulum of the foreskin by 1 — 1.5 cm.
The operation is not complicated. It takes, basically, from 10 to 20 minutes. Special preparation is not required, it is enough only to carry out hygienic cleaning. Local anesthesia. Under general anesthesia, surgery is performed only in childhood. The operation itself can be performed using radio-wave knives or standard surgical instruments. After the surgical intervention, a bandage is sometimes applied, but most often it is enough to treat the wound. There is no need to stay in the hospital after a frenulotomy. After 15 minutes, the patient returns to normal business without losing his ability to work. Only subsequent inspection and removal of seams are required. Self-absorbing threads are also often used. Ointments and creams can be used on the recommendation of a doctor.
After healing (usually after two weeks), a man can resume the usual rhythm of sexual life. The prognosis for timely treatment is good. Wounds heal quickly, and scars do not form.
The specifics of the operation exclude the risk of serious side effects. They become possible in case of non-compliance with hygiene standards after surgery. Water procedures, the application of a special remedy prescribed by a doctor (for example, cream with an antibiotic), combined with a two-week period of abstinence from sexual intercourse and masturbation are usually sufficient measures to prevent infection.
Prevention of a short frenulum of the foreskin
Preventive measures include medical examinations. Self-medication is not acceptable. It is necessary to avoid injuries, wear underwear suitable in size, prevent diseases that cause changes in the frenulum, and if they appear, treat them in a timely manner.
Based on the fact that often a short frenulum of the foreskin is a congenital anomaly, women during pregnancy need to adhere to a healthy lifestyle and avoid contact with harmful substances and the effects of pathogenic factors on the body.
Parents of boys need to pay special attention to the condition of the foreskin of the child. With normal development, basically, the head of the penis is completely exposed from the age of three (sometimes this happens only from the age of six). Since childhood, the boy must be taught to properly carry out hygienic procedures, independently pushing the foreskin.
