The frenulum is one of the most erogenous zones on a man’s body. This area is rich in nerve endings, so its stimulation should normally give a man pleasure, but in some cases the opposite happens. Complaints that the frenulum on the head of the penis hurts on men's forums is not uncommon. As a rule, discomfort is provoked by unprotected sexual intercourse: the first (at the beginning of sexual activity), after a long period of abstinence, with a new partner. There may be other reasons, which we will discuss in the article.
Anatomical features of the frenulum
At its core, the frenulum is a small fold of skin that connects the head of the penis to its body. Its structure depends on the individual characteristics of the male body. But it affects orgasm during intercourse. The foreskin returns to its normal position after erection. Often men are faced with the problem of a short frenulum length, which provokes penile dysfunction. A short frenulum provokes pain during sexual intercourse with a sexual partner or self-satisfaction. As a result of intense movement of the skin fold, it may tear. To the question of whether it is possible to break the frenulum on the head, the answer is unequivocal - yes.
The problem becomes noticeable upon visual inspection of the penis. During an erection, the head of the penis will be directed towards the frenulum because the skin pulls it towards itself. Outwardly, it may seem that the genital organ has a curvature, but this is not the case.
A torn frenulum on the head in men provokes bleeding and pain. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help in a timely manner to avoid the further formation of scars, scars, and erection problems.
Factors causing the problem
Experts distinguish between two factors that provoke the problem: congenital defects and those acquired in life.
It is impossible to predict possible injuries to this part of the body. This is due to the fact that even with a short type of skin fold, it is no different from normal. At the birth of a male baby, specialists cannot unambiguously determine this pathological condition. The defect becomes noticeable during puberty in boys during adolescence. Then the anatomy and possible pathologies become more noticeable.
Acquired factors indicating how the frenulum on the head can be torn are associated with:
- rough and intense movements during masturbation;
- “dry vagina” syndrome in a sexual partner;
- active movements during sex;
- defloration;
- repeated rupture at the site of scar tissue formation.
Why does a short frenulum of the foreskin develop?
In the vast majority of cases, this defect is congenital, often combined with a pathological condition such as phimosis. The latter is characterized by the narrowness of the foreskin, which does not allow the head of the penis to be exposed.
It is found in 96% of newborn boys, but as their body develops, the foreskin gains the necessary mobility, and the problem goes away on its own. At the age of three, it is found in only 10% of young patients.
The causes of a short frenulum are as follows:
- different rates of development of skin structures and cavernous bodies of the penis;
- inflammatory processes of the structures of the penis, occurring in a chronic form;
- constant injury to the foreskin when playing sports, wearing incorrectly selected underwear and too tight trousers;
- diabetes mellitus, which provokes failures in tissue regeneration.
Symptoms of a rupture
Regardless of what the causes of the torn frenulum on the head were (congenital pathology or excessive exposure), the symptoms are the same. This is evidenced.
- Minor bruising or minor bleeding from a vein. These manifestations are not considered complex, but can still cause a lot of discomfort.
- Swelling that occurs as a result of trauma to the skin and hematoma.
- The presence of pain when opening the head of the penis.
- Difficulty urinating.
- Irritation of the flesh due to urea getting on its surface.
Diagnosis and treatment
To determine the cause of redness of the frenulum of the penis, examination of smears taken from the affected areas and tests for genital infections are prescribed. Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor selects drugs that can destroy the infectious agent, as well as local drugs that promote wound healing, reduce swelling, itching and burning. The following help speed up recovery and reduce the risk of complications:
- physiotherapy,
- vitamin complexes and products that strengthen the immune system,
- compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene.
What to do if you have such symptoms?
For many men, the relevant question is when the frenulum on the head is torn - what to do? There is no need to panic initially. All actions must be extremely careful and safe. If bleeding and bruising are present, you need to treat the damaged surface with peroxide or other antiseptic preparations on hand (with the exception of iodine solution) to minimize the risk of infection. First, you need to pinch and press the frenulum against the penis with your fingers to stop the bleeding. The manipulation must be done carefully, since strong squeezing and pressing is fraught with negative consequences. You can keep your penis in this position for no more than 10 minutes. Next, you need to apply a bandage at the site of the tear, but do not wrap the penis completely. This can cause stagnation of blood in the vessels. After this, you can perform hygiene procedures, but we must not forget about the obligatory trip to the hospital.
In case of swelling, a compress of gauze soaked in cool boiled water will help relieve symptoms.
Local inflammations that provoke irritation of the dermis can be removed using a gauze bandage and water hygiene procedures.
But in any case, comprehensive treatment prescribed by a specialist will be required.
Methods of therapeutic treatment of the problem
Every male can experience a tear in the foreskin. It is for this reason that modern medicine offers several effective methods of therapeutic intervention on how to treat a torn frenulum on the head. Experts resort to:
- frenulotomy;
- circumcision;
- VY-plasty;
- laser surgical treatment;
- surgery based on radio waves.
The method of surgery depends on the degree of damage to the flesh.
Frenulotomy method
This method can eliminate the consequences of the injury to the foreskin and remove the root cause of its occurrence. The procedure is painless, quick (only 20 minutes) and, most importantly, without mental trauma for the patient.
The technology itself is essentially a plastic procedure of an elementary form. During its implementation, the length of the skin increases. Specialists carry out the following manipulations.
- A small transverse incision is made on the foreskin with a surgical scalpel.
- After this, sutures are placed, but not across, along, to reduce the level of skin stretching.
- After healing, an invisible suture along the penis remains at the intervention site.
The wound heals within 5 days, and does not cause any inconvenience to the patient. As a result, the foreskin will be able to freely pull down after the operation and expose the head without pain or discomfort. You will be able to return to having sex after half a month from the date of going to the hospital.
This method is advisable to use in cases where there is a pathologically short length of the frenulum.
Methods of treating the pathological condition
Although a short frenulum is not an independent disease, such an anomaly requires qualified help and drug treatment. As a method of correcting the situation, traditional medicine offers exclusively surgical intervention.
It is emphasized that the earlier the pathology is identified, the less traumatic the treatment will be: the volume of surgical intervention in childhood is minimal, and the psyche adapts much better than in a mature man.
For adult men, the main sign by which an anomaly can be suspected is pain and discomfort of the penis during an erection.
In addition to a visual examination, the specialist conducts laboratory and hardware tests, after which he individually selects the most optimal type of surgical operation.
Frenulotomy or frenuloplasty
Dissection of the frenulum or frenulotomy is the most effective type of surgical intervention used in medical practice. Although it lasts no more than 20 minutes. and is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis (for adolescents - with general anesthesia), requires full preparation for surgical intervention:
- blood and urine tests;
- passing tests for allergies to painkillers;
- additional blood tests (Rh factor, group, clotting rate).
2-3 days before surgical treatment, it is recommended to switch to a diet. It is necessary to stop drinking alcoholic beverages. Immediately before the operation, hair in the intimate area should be removed and careful hygiene should be carried out.
How is frenulotomy performed?
On the day of the operation, you need to come to the clinic in advance (about an hour) in loose outer clothing. The patient is asked to assume a supine position on the operating table. After that:
- the genital area is disinfected;
- local or general (injection into a vein) anesthesia is performed;
- the doctor makes a transverse incision on the frenulum, straightening the fold to the desired size;
- if there are scars, the surgeon excises them during the operation;
- the edges of the incisions are stitched with threads that dissolve during the rehabilitation process;
- the final stage is applying a napkin with an antiseptic (for at least 12 hours).
This is what the operation looks like using a regular scalpel. However, advances in technology have made it possible to expand the variability of frenuloplasty offerings. Clinics offer frenuloplasty using the following tools:
Name | Advantages | Flaws |
Laser | The advantage of this type of intervention is the absence of blood - the laser beam, when cut, instantly cauterizes the sutures | The only drawback is that the edges of the wound may separate when stretched in an erect state. |
Radio knife | This technology is the safest from the point of view of the development of complications, since the effect is only on a narrowly targeted area without touching healthy tissues and blood vessels | The most expensive method available |
At the end of the medical procedures, the patient goes home, having first listened to the doctor’s recommendations. The hygienic bandage should be removed after 12-24 hours. A longer period (days) is preferable, but you should not leave the bandage on the wound too long.
Rehabilitation period
After this, it is necessary to carry out regular hygiene of the operated area and ensure that you do not develop new injuries or cracks in the skin of the penis:
- exclude increased physical activity;
- refuse sexual intercourse and masturbation;
- temporarily stop visiting baths and saunas.
The rehabilitation period lasts up to 3 weeks. This type of intervention has another important advantage - the cosmetic effect in this case is maximum. There are practically no scars or seams left.
When is VUplasty used?
The method is rarely used because it leaves noticeable scars on the penis that cannot be hidden by the foreskin. The surgeon makes a V-shaped incision in the frenulum, then sutures the edges in such a way as to increase the length of the fold.
In addition to cosmetic discomfort, this type of intervention can provoke phimosis, since after the operation there is a narrowing of the foreskin.
However, VU-plasty is performed in cases where other types of intervention are contraindicated.
But only after examination and doctor’s recommendation.
In what cases is circumcision recommended?
The cutting technique is similar to frenulotomy. The preparatory period, duration of the operation, anesthesia, and postoperative care are the same. The differences are as follows:
- Problem solving mechanism
. In this case, not only the frenulum is cut, but the entire fold of the foreskin is removed - the doctor leaves a small area of skin around the circumference (0.5-1 cm) so that there is no strong tension during an erection. - Duration of rehabilitation
. With circumcision, the recovery period is longer (up to 8 weeks), since a large area is injured.
The doctor recommends trimming the foreskin in cases where signs of phimosis are present. During one surgical procedure, a specialist can solve two problems at once: trim part of the skin fold, while simultaneously lengthening the frenulum. And forever rid a man of self-doubt.
Contraindications to surgical treatment
During preparation for surgery, a number of studies are required. However, the doctor may not be aware of any pathology in the patient. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the list of contraindications:
- diseases that cause decreased blood clotting;
- functional disorders in the liver and kidneys;
- oncology;
- injuries or ulcers in the operated area;
- inflammation of the MPS organs and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
The last contraindication is relative. It may be removed from the list after preliminary treatment.
How does circumcision occur?
This method allows you to get rid of phimosis - a problem caused by a lack of length of the skin fold, which does not allow the head to be fully exposed. It is also called circumcision. The oldest operation is performed by removing part of the skin located on the edge of the penis. After removal, stitches are placed at the wound site. In this case, the patient does not need to stay in a hospital hospital. He can go through the rehabilitation process at home by following simple doctor’s recommendations.
It is recommended to resort to this method of treatment without waiting for a relapse if a man has torn the frenulum on the head for the first time. This is due to the fact that secondary damage to this area of the body complicates the process of surgical intervention and can provoke complications.
Possible complications and repeated visits to the doctor
Having discovered such a delicate problem, a man should immediately contact a specialist. Otherwise, the negative consequences of a torn frenulum on the head will not keep you waiting. They may appear as:
- abundant growth of connective tissue at the site of injury (formation of scars);
- decreasing the length of the foreskin with each subsequent tear;
- deterioration of the emotional background and well-being, provoked by the experience of severe pain;
- the appearance of phobias and fears of sex;
- decreased libido;
- deterioration of erection;
- inability to perform full sexual intercourse.
If you notice the possibility of microtrauma to the genital organ, then it is worth organizing a trip to the hospital to prevent complications from occurring. At the same time, resorting to traditional medicine methods or trying to increase the length of the frenulum on your own is not recommended. In this case, negative consequences are fraught with infection of the genitourinary system with infectious diseases, damage to the arteries, and heavy blood loss.
Recovery of the body after surgery
After surgery, the patient will need to undergo a period of rehabilitation. When asked how long it takes for a torn frenulum on the head to heal after surgery, it is difficult to give a definite answer. This depends not only on the individual characteristics of the body, but also on the chosen method of eliminating the problem. Moreover, the rehabilitation period is the same in all cases. A man needs:
- abstain from sexual intercourse for a period of 2 weeks to 2 months;
- deny yourself self-satisfaction;
- minimize physical activity;
- pay great attention to personal hygiene (after surgery, it is recommended to treat the surface after each trip to the toilet);
- regularly visit a specialist who monitors the wound healing process.
Main reasons
The causative agents of the inflammatory process in the tissues of the penis can be:
- pathogenic bacteria and fungi - you can catch the infection through unprotected sexual contact or using other people's hygiene items;
- own opportunistic microflora - always present in the groin, can be activated with decreased immunity, decompensated diabetes mellitus, deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
The risk of developing inflammation increases:
- if the rules of intimate hygiene are not observed, the smegma that accumulates under the foreskin is a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora;
- the presence of wounds or microcracks on the skin of the penis or scrotum - they reduce local immunity, through which pathogens can easily penetrate deep into the tissues;
- stress, bad habits, poor diet - all these factors weaken the immune defense.
Allergy is also a common cause of redness of the tissues of the penis. It can be caused by latex contraceptives, household chemicals, and intimate cosmetics.
Preventive actions
In order to prevent the problem from occurring, experts recommend taking a few simple preventive actions.
- Contacting a hospital for circumcision before phimosis manifests itself.
- If you experience discomfort during sexual intercourse, you should immediately contact a specialized doctor.
- Do not neglect the use of optimal positions for sexual contact with your partner, in which there will be minimal friction of the head against the vaginal walls.
- Before sex, spend enough time on foreplay so that your partner develops a sufficient amount of lubrication. If necessary, use special lubricants.
- Avoid sudden friction during sexual intercourse.
- It is important to show children over 3 years of age to a urologist in a timely manner.
- The rules of genital hygiene should not be neglected.
If you are still wondering whether the frenulum on the head should be torn, seek additional advice from a urologist. Although, taking into account the above information, we can say that such a measure will become a serious complication in the functioning of the reproductive organ.
Prevention of itching of the frenulum of the penis
To reduce the risk of itching in the area of the head of the penis:
- Choose only high-quality underwear made from natural, soft, hypoallergenic materials, without additional rough seams in the area of the penis.
- Observe basic rules of personal hygiene, regularly take a shower and use simple soap without chemical additives, fragrances, etc. when washing the genitals.
- Avoid hypothermia. You should not sit on cold surfaces and go out into the cold lightly.
- Do not practice promiscuity or unprotected sex. It is best to have one trusted partner.
- Play sports and lead a healthy lifestyle. This will help boost immunity and improve the body's resistance.
It is also important to have regular checkups with your doctor. This should be done at least once a year.
Publication date 2019-11-25
Useful information on problems associated with the frenulum of the penis:
- Calling a urologist to your home
- Balanitis
- Balanoposthitis
- Frenum plastic surgery
- Urethral swab
- Prostate massage
- Circumcision
- Tests for STIs
- Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
- Ultrasound at home
- Frenum of the penis
- Pyelonephritis
- Ultrasound of the bladder
- Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections
- How to prepare for an appointment with a urologist?
- How to get tested for urological diseases?
- What tests can be done by a urologist?
- What diseases does a urologist treat?
- What symptoms should you consult a urologist for?
- How to make an appointment with a urologist at the clinic?
This article is posted for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.
Author:
Kasabov Vadim Vladimirovich Dermatovenerologist
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Answers to pressing questions
Alexey, 24 years old: “Thank you for your information, a very useful article. But I had one question: is it possible to heal a torn frenulum with herbal decoctions?”
Answer: “Herbal infusions can be used as a way to relieve inflammatory processes and nothing more. There is no list of drugs or other folk remedies that allow you to get rid of the foreskin without surgery.”
Igor, 42 years old: “Relevant information for me, since I myself recently encountered a similar problem. Tell me, are there any other treatment methods besides the above?”
Answer: “To date, the five surgical treatment methods have shown to be positively effective. Although it is better to perform circumcision immediately, since this method has virtually no contraindications and relapses.”
Treatment of itching of the frenulum of the penis
You should not treat or remove growths yourself. First of all, you, as a doctor, cannot know for sure the nature of the growths, and some folk remedies supposedly intended to remove papillomas can have a completely opposite effect. As a result, you will have to face serious complications and treat not only the growths that have appeared, but also them.
If you contact our clinic, you will receive all the necessary treatment that will allow you to finally get rid of unsightly and uncomfortable skin growths, regardless of what caused them. Remember that such formations are curable if you initially take the idea of treatment seriously.