Frenulum breve - short frenulum

Understanding Frenulum Breve: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Introduction

Frenulum breve is a condition that affects men, causing discomfort and potential challenges in their sexual activities. This blog will discuss what frenulum breve is, explore its causes, identify symptoms, and discuss available treatment options.

What is Frenulum Breve?

The frenulum is a small band of tissue located on the underside of the penis, connecting the glans to the foreskin. In individuals with frenulum breve, this band is shorter than usual, restricting the movement of the foreskin. This condition can lead to pain, tearing, and difficulty retracting the foreskin during activities such as sexual intercourse or masturbation.

Causes

Frenulum breve can be caused by various factors, including congenital conditions where the frenulum is naturally shorter than average. Additionally, trauma, injury or scaring (BXO) to the genital area may contribute to the development of frenulum breve. Understanding the underlying cause is crucial for determining the most appropriate treatment.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of frenulum breve include pain during sexual activity, difficulty retracting the foreskin and tearing of the frenulum. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice to diagnose the condition and explore suitable treatment options properly.

Treatment Options

1. Topical Steroids: In some cases, topical steroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and promote frenulum stretching. This conservative approach is often recommended initially.

2. Stretching Exercises: Gentle stretching exercises may be suggested to elongate the frenulum gradually. It's essential to follow medical guidance to avoid injury and ensure the effectiveness of these exercises.

3. Frenuloplasty: In more severe cases, a surgical procedure known as frenuloplasty may be recommended. This involves making a small incision in the frenulum to release tension with stitches and sealing it with glue, allowing for increased mobility.

4. Circumcision: In cases with tight foreskin or when other treatments are unsuccessful, circumcision – the surgical removal of the foreskin – may be considered as a last resort. However, this is a significant decision that should be thoroughly discussed with our urologist.

Conclusion

Frenulum breve is a condition that can impact the quality of life for affected individuals. Seeking medical advice is crucial to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on the severity of the condition. With various treatment options available, individuals experiencing symptoms of frenulum breve can find relief and regain comfort in intimate situations. Always consult an experienced consultant urologist for personalised advice tailored to your problem.

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Free advice for tight foreskin and tight frenulum

Phimosis is a term used for tight foreskin. Phimosis is when you cannot pull the foreskin back to see the tip of the penis. In some cases, the skin may fold back when the penis is relaxed but is unable to withdraw when the penis is erect. When the foreskin is tight, there is minor trauma to the foreskin during each erection and sexual activity. This generates to loss of elastic fibres due to scarring. In adults, sexually transmitted infections or other infections such as balanitis can be associated with phimosis.

Adult Circumcision is an operation that matches men’s cosmetic and functional requirements. Tightness of the foreskin can be due to BXO or Lichen Sclerosis.

London Circumcision Centre

NEWBORN AND ADULT CIRCUMCISION FROM EXPERIENCED SURGEONS AND UROLOGISTS

We provide glue, stitch, staplers, revision adult circumcision, frenuloplasty or preputioplasty at London Circumcision Clinic. We also give balanitis xerotica obliterans (phimosis) treatment

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Please see feedback from the patent after circumcision and frenuloplasty

“My experience with Dr Khan was very relaxing and quick. I felt comfortable throughout the whole procedure. In my first consultation with Dr Khan, everything was explained to me quite simply, so I knew exactly what to expect and all of my options. My procedure was very quick and very professional, I was given all the information required for post-operation care and also emergency contact just in case. Everything went seamlessly and I would definitely recommend Dr Khan to any prospective patient.”

— Written by a private patient at London Circumcision Centre Sept 2021

Tight foreskin - what is the treatment

Phimosis (tight foreskin): What are the alternatives to full circumcision?

When there is a tight foreskin called phimosis, a person wonders whether he needs to be circumcised. There are many alternatives to full circumcision.

FOLLOWING NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS ARE AN ALTERNATIVE TO CIRCUMCISION.

• Children usually grow out of the natural tight foreskin

•         Stretching exercises: It may help in some cases

•         Steroids - topical or local injections: There is medical evidence that steroid cream cures the phimosis

•         Stretching exercises with steroids: Both treatments may be more effective than one only.

•         Vitamin E cream: More medical evidence may require its effectiveness.

FOLLOWING SURGICAL TREATMENTS ARE AN ALTERNATIVE TO CIRCUMCISION. 

 •         Frenuloplasty: Frenuloplasty provides releasing the frenulum which is a simple and effective treatment of dealing painful or torn frenulum

•         Frenular grafting: Free frenular skin grafting an alternative to circumcision in some men with a combination of tight frenulum and phimosis.

•         Preputioplasty: This operation is mainly to widen the ring noticed after retraction of the foreskin beyond the head of the penis

•         Partial circumcision: There is a very limited role of partial circumcision in the tight foreskin.

However, tight foreskin with balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is treated with steroids, biopsy and full circumcision. 

In conclusion, alternative treatments (surgery or no surgery) consider before male circumcision who have a tight foreskin. We have discussed a method of treatment and every treatment must be considered individually and carefully