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.

Please call us to discuss about tight frenulum

Does Phimosis Always Require Circumcision in Men

Facts and Advice regarding tight foreskin

Male circumcision is rarely mentioned in everyday conversation, leaving many unaware of conditions related to the foreskin. Among these, phimosis—a condition characterised by a tight foreskin—often goes undiscussed, potentially leading to undiagnosed complications that can impact one's sexual health. This blog explores phimosis, its causes, treatments, and whether circumcision is always necessary.

Understanding Phimosis

Phimosis occurs when the foreskin is too tight, making it challenging to retract and reveal the tip of the penis. This tightness can lead to minor trauma during erections and sexual activity, causing scarring and the loss of elasticity of the foreskin. In adults, phimosis is associated with infections, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and conditions like balanitis.

Facts About Phimosis

Physiological phimosis in children often improves with age, as the foreskin's attachment between the glans and foreskin breaks down, forming smegma pearls. Most boys have a fully retractile foreskin by the age of 10-12 years. Pathological phimosis, on the other hand, is a medical condition marked by a diseased or scarred foreskin. It's crucial to distinguish between naturally tight foreskin (physiological phimosis) and scarred tight foreskin (pathological Phimosis), as treatments differ.

Paraphimosis, a condition where the foreskin gets stuck behind the head of the penis due to a tight ring, requires emergency treatment. This can be addressed by pulling the foreskin forward or through widening the foreskin (preputioplasty or dorsal slit) to preserve the foreskin.

Causes of Phimosis

Various factors contribute to phimosis, including skin conditions (lichen sclerosis - BXO, Lichen planus, Eczema), infections (syphilis, chancroid, genital herpes), scarring, and a potential link to penile cancer. Studies suggest circumcised men have lower rates of certain infections and penile cancer.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Treatment depends on age and the degree of phimosis. It may involve steroids, stretching exercises, or antifungal/antibiotic medications. However, caution is needed with pulling scarred foreskin, as it may lead to further tearing and scarring. Home treatments are possible for mild cases, involving daily cleansing, washing, and controlled stretching exercises. Diabetic men may need more blood sugar control to avoid cracked foreskin.

Surgical Treatments

Several surgical options exist, each targeting the tightness of the foreskin:

1. Frenuloplasty: Releasing the frenulum to detach it from the head of the penis.

2. Preputioplasty: Increasing the foreskin's diameter through an incision in front of the foreskin to allow full retraction.

3. Partial Circumcision: Leaving part of the foreskin covering the head of the penis.

4. Full Circumcision: The standard surgical option for severe cases primarily associated with cracked foreskin (BXO) phimosis, traumatic injury, or penile cancer.

Considerations for Full Circumcision

While full circumcision is a standard option, it is irreversible. Alternatives include antibiotics, antifungal medications, steroids, frenulum excision, V-Y preputioplasty, and frenuloplasty. The choice should be discussed with a specialist or urologist based on individual circumstances.

In summary, phimosis is a condition with various treatment options. Full circumcision is not always the only choice, and alternatives should be explored based on personal preferences and medical Advice. Prioritising your health and engaging in open discussions with healthcare professionals for informed decisions regarding phimosis management is essential.

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.