White plaque on the penis: when to see a doctor, what to do

Spots on the skin of the penis - reasons for their appearance

White spots on the penis may indicate the following diseases and conditions:

Allergies are the most common cause. The white spots are usually itchy. Symptoms often do not appear immediately, but several hours or even several days after skin contact with the allergen.
Vitiligo is areas of depigmented skin. As a rule, they are found not only on the penis, but also on other areas of the skin. But such spots appear gradually. They may appear first on the skin of the penis. In the future, their growth is observed. The spots become more numerous, they merge, appearing on the scrotum, pubis, as well as areas of the skin remote from the genitals.
Lichen sclerosus is a precancerous pathology. The spots are localized on the head. This is a type of limited scleroderma. Synonyms: guttate morphia, Tsumbusha's lichen alba, white spot disease, lichenoid scleroderma, atrophic punctate leukoderma. The inflammation is autoimmune in nature. It is not spots that appear, but plaques – that is, they are dense and characterized by thickening of the skin.
Hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands - small white spots appear on the penis. This is the norm, not a pathology. Hypertrophic sebaceous glands are unsightly, so they are sometimes removed for aesthetic reasons. But they do not threaten health.
Psoriasis is a systemic disease that can begin in the genitals. Silvery plaques with peeling appear. Often found on the head.
A tumor can look like anything, including a white spot on the skin of the penis. The growth of the spot and especially its manifestation should cause oncological alertness.
Setton's nevus is a pigment spot that looks like an area of hyperpigmentation (mole) in the center and a focus of lack of pigment on the periphery. It looks very similar to vitiligo. Treatment is required only for aesthetic reasons.
Scars - if the skin was damaged and then restored, then it is lighter than the surrounding skin. The cause may be injury, chafing, previous herpes or other inflammation, surgery and minimally invasive procedures. A white ring around the penis may appear when rubbed with a condom. Small spots form after acne resolves.

Infectious causes of white plaque on the penis

They differ according to the type of pathogen:

Candidiasis

This is a fungal infection. Occurs after long-term use of antibiotics or when infected during sexual intercourse. Candida is usually found in a woman's vagina. During intercourse, microtraumas are formed on the skin of the genitals, facilitating the penetration of infection. The plaque looks like white lumps, has a sour smell, and is accompanied by itching. If treatment is not started on time, pain when urinating and ulcers develop.

Bacterial balanoposthitis

Caused by bacteria that normally live on the surface of the skin, most often streptococci and enterococci. White coating on the frenulum of the penis, on the head. It has a creamy density, combined with red spots. Itching and discomfort increase after urination or sexual intercourse. If treatment is delayed, the infection penetrates and affects the bladder, ureters and kidneys.

In the photo: candidiasis balanoposthitis

Gonorrhea

The plaque is concentrated around the head of the penis. In addition, there will be abundant purulent discharge from the urethra, an unpleasant odor, a deterioration in general health, and painful urination. There may be blood in the urine.

Chlamydia

The head of the penis itches, a white coating is located under the head of the genital organ, abundant, translucent. The disease is accompanied by the discharge of yellowish-green mucus from the urethra and pain.

Syphilis

The appearance of a whitish coating on the head is one of the signs of this complex disease. Characteristic rashes and lumps are not necessary and a person may not notice them. Therefore, it is very important to contact a urologist in time and get tested.

What does a white spot on the penis look like?

For different diseases, white spots on the penis look different:

vitiligo - spots of different sizes with clear boundaries, irregular shape, can merge, are multiple, do not rise above the skin level
Setton's nevus - looks the same as vitiligo, only there is a mole in the center (sometimes the mole disappears, but the depigmented spot remains)
psoriasis – silvery, dense plaques with small scales
scars - may be denser than the surrounding skin, rise above it or fall below the level
lichen sclerosus - multiple small (no more than 1.5 cm) white papules rising above the skin level (can merge into irregularly shaped plaques)

Foreskin

Understanding the anatomy and function of the foreskin makes it possible to appreciate its importance for the normal functioning of the penis.

The foreskin, or prepuce, is essentially a “flap” of skin, a two-layer fold covering the head of the penis.

Rice. Development of the prepuce in utero

Before birth, the foreskin is attached to the glans penis by a layer of epithelial cells called synechiae (black lines in the pictures). By the twenty-fourth week of intrauterine development, the formation of the foreskin ends. However, the leading edge continues to grow forward after birth.

Gradually, in the first years of a child's life, the foreskin is separated from the head of the penis . The duration of this process is extremely variable and can end by the birth of the child or continue until adolescence . And if this does not happen naturally, we recommend separating the foreskin from the head of the penis no later than 5-6 years of age, in order to avoid infectious complications.

In adulthood, the penis must become erect in order to have sexual intercourse. At the same time, the penis increases in length by fifty percent. Since the foreskin is a double fold of skin, it allows the penis to lengthen freely during an erection.

Microscopic examination confirms the fact that the foreskin is not only skin involved in erection, it is also richly innervated and blood-supplied.

During sexual activity, the tissues of the foreskin respond to stimulation. The sliding of the prepuce over the skin of the glans penis activates nerve endings, increasing sexual arousal and contributing to the achievement of an erection. In addition, the mucous membrane of the inner layer of the foreskin performs a specific function during masturbation and sexual activity.

The structure of the foreskin

The structure of the foreskin includes:

Outer layer of foreskin;
Inner layer of foreskin;
The preputial ring is elastic tissue, the junction of the outer and inner layers of the foreskin. When not erect, the preputial ring narrows and allows the prepuce to remain on top of the glans penis. Many men note that this area of the foreskin is the most erogenous.
The coronal groove of the penis is located immediately behind the crown of the glans, at the junction of the head and the shaft of the penis. The inner leaf of the prepuce is also attached here.
The preputial space is the space between the foreskin and the head of the penis.
The frenulum of the penis is a fold of skin located on the lower surface of the penis under the head and attached to the inner foreskin. The frenulum of the penis is a highly erogenous zone . During circumcision, the frenulum is also resected, completely or partially. For a better aesthetic effect during circumcision, we prefer to form a new frenulum. There are situations when the length of the frenulum is not enough to properly expose the head, which can lead to its ruptures or regular microtears with subsequent scarring of the skin. Such situations require plastic surgery of the frenulum of the penis. In some patients, frenuloplasty or circumcision is the only way to treat premature ejaculation that allows one to achieve good results.

The preputial space is normally always slightly moist . glands in the foreskin that produce cathepsin B, lysozyme chymotrypsin, elastase, cytokines and pheromones, for example, androsterone, etc.

Sensitivity of the foreskin

We will pay special attention to the sensitivity of the foreskin, since it is the large number of nerve endings located in the prepuce that provide sensations during sexual intercourse.

The most sensitive areas of the penis:

Comb ring , also called Taylor's ring (named after the scientist who first described it). Taylor's ring is an area of highly wrinkled mucous membrane lining the inner surface of the apex of the prepuce.

Along the lower surface of the penis, the ring passes into the frenulum of the penis. The Taylor ring contains a huge number of receptors that respond to stretching, trigger the sexual reflex and are responsible for erogenous sensitivity.

When the preputial ring is stretched as it passes through the head of the penis, the receptors are stimulated, which causes a feeling of satisfaction.

The frenulum of the penis provides a man with a feeling of pleasure due to its stretching during sexual intercourse. Around the world, the frenulum is also known as the “sex nerve”.

There are more nerve endings in the frenulum than in the head; these nerve endings are called Meissner's corpuscles.

The coronal sulcus of the penis has good innervation, and stimulation of this area can be a trigger for ejaculation.

The glans penis has poorer innervation and, therefore, less sensitivity in contrast to the above structures.

Foreskin dimensions

The absolute size of the foreskin in children is small; during growing up and puberty, the prepuce gradually increases in size. The size of the foreskin is highly variable. In adult men it is 96.7 square meters. centimeters or more. Taylor's studies found that the length of the foreskin in an adult male varies from 4.8 to 9.3 cm (average size 6.4 cm). The prepuce may partially cover the head or, conversely, protrude beyond the boundaries of the head of the penis.

Defense mechanisms of the foreskin

The foreskin is equipped with a number of defense mechanisms against infection. Firstly, this is achieved due to the sphincter, which ensures a tight fit to the head of the penis and prevents foreign bodies from entering the preputial space. The secretion of the preputial space contains lysozyme and other substances that destroy pathogens. On the other hand, the frenulum is a site of accumulation of Langerhans cells, which can serve as a gateway for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV infection, to enter the body.

In fact, in the modern world , when men maintain hygiene every day, the protective mechanism has lost its acute relevance.

Movement of the foreskin

1st picture. The area between the upper and lower lines is the outer foreskin. The external prepuce is approximately the same length as the skin covering the shaft of the penis. The internal prepuce is equal in length to the external foreskin and is not visible.

2nd picture. The foreskin is moved by hand by about 2 cm. The area between the upper and lower lines is represented by the outer foreskin. The area under the lower line is the internal prepuce (about 0.5 cm).

3rd picture. As in the previous pictures, the area between the upper and lower lines is the external prepuce. Between the glans and the inferior line is the inner foreskin, which is gathered behind the crown of the glans.

4th picture. The foreskin is retracted even further. At the same time, the folds of the inner foreskin straightened.

5th picture. The foreskin is retracted as much as possible. The area between the line and the head of the penis is the fully extended internal prepuce. The entire body of the penis is covered by the foreskin, with most of it being the internal prepuce. The picture clearly visualizes veins, arteries, capillaries and the smooth head of the penis.

Movement of the foreskin during erection

During an erection, the penis increases in size by 50%. The movement of the foreskin occurs similarly to that described above.

Functions of the foreskin

1. Functions related to sexual activity

The foreskin functions as an erogenous tissue, especially through the sensitive Meissner corpuscles and Taylor's ring.
By sliding back and forth during intercourse, the foreskin helps reduce friction, thereby increasing comfort for both partners.
The foreskin facilitates penetration (insertion of the penis).
During sexual intercourse, the foreskin allows for shorter and smoother movements, and promotes closer contact with the woman's pubic promontory.
The foreskin is involved in the release of lubricants during sexual intercourse.

2. Protective functions of the foreskin

Protects the head of the penis from injury and damage.
In early childhood, the foreskin protects the head of the penis and the external opening of the urethra from contamination and infection.
In early childhood, the foreskin prevents inflammation, ulceration and stenosis of the external opening of the urethra.
By producing lysozymes and other immunoglobulin factors, the foreskin has a bacteriostatic effect on microorganisms that enter the glans.

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Are white spots on the penis dangerous?

Usually white spots on the penis are unpleasant, but not dangerous. The exceptions are:

psoriasis
lichen sclerosus
penile cancer

Psoriasis is dangerous in itself. Spots on the testicles or penis do not directly pose a threat to life. Psoriasis can affect large areas of the skin as well as internal organs.

Lichen sclerosus on the penis is not dangerous for 95% of people. But in 5% of cases it transforms into squamous cell skin cancer.

The most dangerous white spots on the penis are associated with a malignant tumor. It is rare to die from this type of cancer, as there are effective surgical treatment methods. But partial or complete removal of the penis dramatically reduces a man’s quality of life.

The frenulum of the penis is an elastic strip of skin that is located on the inside of the penis and connects the head of the penis to the foreskin.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PENIS FRENALU

In a state of arousal of the penis, the frenulum tightens the foreskin, preventing it from descending along the shaft of the penis, and at the same time exposes its head. It is in the frenulum that the maximum number of nerve endings of the male reproductive system is concentrated. The quality of ejaculation, the duration of sexual intercourse and the orgasmic sensations of a man largely depend on its sensitivity.

CAUSES OF RUPTURE OF THE PENIS Frenulum

In most cases this occurs under the following circumstances:

With overly vigorous sexual intercourse;
During a woman's defloration;
If sexual intercourse is carried out before the woman becomes aroused, when the lubricant has not yet been released;
During anal sexual intercourse;
With too active masturbation.

TYPES OF DAMAGE TO THE BRIDAL

A fissure is a wound on the frenulum of the penis that irritates and causes discomfort. Blood may appear.

A tear is an incomplete damage to the tissues of the frenulum, accompanied by pain.

Rupture - the frenulum is completely separated from the head of the penis. This may result in blood loss and severe pain.

CONSEQUENCES OF DAMAGE TO THE FRENALE

Cracks and tears in the frenulum can bleed, irritate, and fester. This is fraught with such phenomena as:

Inflammatory processes of the glans penis, foreskin and urethra;
Excessive dryness of the glans under the foreskin;
Pain during intercourse;
High probability of infection during unprotected sex.

Rupture of the frenulum is accompanied by heavy bleeding, and therefore there is a high probability of:

Recurrence of frenulum rupture - if a man experiences this phenomenon, it may recur;
Reducing the length of the frenulum with each subsequent break;
Reduction in the size and elasticity of the foreskin - due to the proliferation of connective tissue during scarring;
Psychological trauma up to complete renunciation of sexual relations.

FIRST AID FOR A BRIDLE RUPTURE

The main symptom of a ruptured frenulum is severe bleeding. Therefore, when providing first aid, you first need to stop the bleeding.

Squeeze the area of the rupture with your fingers, pressing the frenulum to the head of the penis, and hold in this position for at least 10 minutes.
Do not press too hard to avoid possible ischemia of the head.
If the blood does not stop for a long time, you can apply cold to the penis, but for no more than 8-10 minutes.
When the blood stops completely, treat the frenulum with an antiseptic (chlorhexidine, miramistin, hydrogen peroxide).
Bandage the penis with a sterile bandage or apply a gauze bandage.

IMPORTANT !!!

If the frenulum of the penis ruptures, a man should immediately seek advice from a urologist (andrologist). Only he will be able to expertly assess the degree of injury and recommend the optimal treatment method that will help avoid the formation of scars on the frenulum, which can lead to loss of elasticity and a reduction in its length.

TREATMENT IS A MUST!

Men who have dealt with a frenulum rupture on their own for the first time are sometimes in no hurry to seek help from a specialist, thereby dooming themselves to inevitable problems in the future. If a man has a frenulum rupture at least once, there is a high probability that it will happen again and possibly more than once, since the integrity of the connective tissue has already been compromised. During the healing process, scars will form at the rupture sites, which will significantly reduce the length of the frenulum and its elasticity, which will create difficulties with complete exposure of the glans penis. Therefore, repeated damage to the frenulum, and even more so its ruptures, threatens a significant decrease in erectile function and psycho-emotional problems.

Enlargement of the frenulum of the penis involves surgical intervention: frenuloplasty.

PREVENTION OF DAMAGE TO THE FRENALE

If discomfort occurs during an erection, you should immediately consult a urologist (andrologist).
During sexual contacts, use positions that provide minimal friction to the head of the penis.
During sexual intercourse, give enough time to foreplay so that your partner releases lubricant. Use lubricants if necessary.
Do not neglect contraception and genital hygiene.