Is your frenulum short or tight, causing pain?
A short frenulum (also known as frenulum breve) is when the frenulum of the penis is so short that it restricts the movement that the foreskin can make – the frenulum should be long enough to allow the foreskin to retract smoothly, but a short frenulum often makes this impossible. This causes discomfort during sexual intercourse.
Also, it can make maintaining hygiene difficult, as it can make it difficult to clean under the foreskin, increasing the risk of infections.
One possible consequence of having a short frenulum is that it can tear, usually during sexual activity. This can be painful and may bleed, but is not a medical emergency. A torn frenulum may solve the problem if it heals in such a way that the frenulum is longer, but if scar tissue forms if becomes even less flexible and the problem worsens. If a short frenulum is impairing your ability to have sex or causing other serious issues, it requires treatment.
The main symptom is difficulty pulling back the foreskin, as well as pain and tension in the penis. This pain increases during sexual intercourse and can tear and cause bleeding because of the concentration of blood in the area.
The frenulum of the penis is a band of tissue located underneath the penis. When the frenulum is tight or short, this is called a frenulum breve.
This can result in tension on the frenulum during erections, which can rip and tear during vigorous activities such as sex, causing pain and bleeding which in turn can cause men to lose their erections.
Some men go through their entire lives suffering from pain and bleeding unaware that there is a cure.
The degree of tightness and thickness of the frenulum varies from man to man. Please do not hesitate to consult with our doctors if you think that you may have the symptoms of frenulum breve.
A short frenulum is often misdiagnosed as phimosis (where the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back), due to the common major symptom of being unable to retract the foreskin, but it is not the same disease. The doctor should perform a physical examination to assess the problem and the degree of it.
There are different methods to treat a short frenulum depending on its severity. In some cases, steroid creams and stretching exercises can be enough to sufficiently elongate the frenulum. In many cases, however, surgery is the only real solution. There are several surgical techniques that may be used, including the resection of the frenulum -frenulectomy or circumcision.
At Steinberg Urology we pride ourselves on our compassionate care we offer to those facing challenges that affect their quality of life. Our urologists have years of experience and a commitment to excellence.
If you need to discuss this sensitive medical concern, schedule a consultation at our clinic in a safe confidential environment. Let us help you achieve optimal health and wellness in a professional setting.
