PSYchology
By itself, balanitis in men occurs quite rarely. Most often we are talking about balanoposthitis – inflammation that affects not only the skin of the glans penis, but also the foreskin

According to various sources, from 3 to 10% of men of different ages experience balanitis.1. Balanitis in its pure form is quite rare, much more often a man is diagnosed with balanoposthitis – a disease with similar symptoms. Let’s figure out how balanitis differs from balanoposthitis, what causes it, and how to treat this delicate problem.

What is balanitis

Balanitis is an inflammation of the skin of the head of the penis.1. Almost always, the foreskin is also involved in the inflammatory process, which leads to the development of balanoposthitis. Therefore, the diagnosis of “balanitis” is rarely made, usually doctors talk about balanoposthitis.

Both an adult man and a child can get sick with balanitis. The most common cause of the disease is the neglect of personal hygiene. Also, inflammation can cause trauma to the mucous membrane of the penis, infection, or various allergic reactions. Often balanitis occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus.

What does balanitis look like?

At the initial stage of balanitis, redness and swelling of the skin of the glans penis occurs. Very quickly, the foreskin joins the inflammatory process, which also turns red and swells. Urination becomes painful, accompanied by pain and itching2.

Causes of balanitis in men

The most basic cause of balanitis is a violation of the rules of intimate hygiene. The remnants of urine and smegma (secretion of the glands of the penis) accumulating in the folds of the foreskin are an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.2. If daily hygiene is neglected, the microflora that has got on the skin of the foreskin causes inflammation. 

In addition, balanitis in men can be caused by trauma to the glans penis, chafing from wearing uncomfortable underwear, as well as a reaction to chlorinated water, an allergy to local contraceptives and shower gels.

Balanitis is often a complication of other diseases. To provoke the development of balanitis can:

  • phimosis;
  • infectious diseases of the genitourinary tract (including venereal);
  • skin diseases;
  • allergic diseases;
  • diabetes;
  • immune pathologies.

Balanitis can be acute and become chronic. In acute balanitis, the symptoms of the disease are brighter, and in the chronic stage, the manifestations become less pronounced.

Symptoms of balanitis in men

The acute stage of balanitis is characterized by the appearance of specific symptoms3:

  • constant feeling of discomfort in the perineum;
  • itching and pain in the head of the penis;
  • white curdled discharge or “bloom” on the head of the penis;
  • redness and swelling of the scalp.

As a rule, in the acute stage, postitis (inflammation of the skin of the foreskin) joins the balanitis, as a result of which balanoposthitis develops. It is characterized by the appearance of additional symptoms:

  • redness and swelling of the glans penis and foreskin;
  • pain and pain when urinating;
  • copious, sometimes purulent discharge.

The inflammatory process is usually accompanied by fever, malaise, inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes. If chronic diseases have become the cause of balanitis, then its manifestations are complicated by the symptoms of the underlying disease.

Treatment of balanitis in men

At the first signs of balanitis, a man should immediately contact a urologist, and not self-medicate. Improper treatment can lead to serious complications, such as urethritis, cystitis or cicatricial phimosis.3.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of balanitis is not difficult. The doctor will make a diagnosis already at the first external examination. However, it is worth remembering that the symptoms of balanitis are nonspecific and accompany many other diseases. To make a final diagnosis, determine the stage of the disease and identify the pathogen, laboratory tests will be required:

  1. general and detailed analysis of blood and urine;
  2. bacteriological examination of discharge from the urethra;
  3. smear microscopy;
  4. tests for infections that are sexually transmitted;
  5. other studies in the presence of concomitant disease.

Modern treatments

In the early stages, balanitis is treated conservatively. If the cause of the disease is not an infection, then only external agents are used – anti-inflammatory, wound healing3. Drug treatment is prescribed depending on the cause of the disease and the type of pathogen.

Ointment

Ointments are used as local remedies for the treatment of balanitis. The most commonly prescribed are celestoderm or solcoseryl. Antiseptic solutions will also help: miramistin or chlorhexidine.

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Pills

The choice of drugs depends on the infectious agent. If the inflammation is caused by a fungus, antifungal agents are prescribed (nystatin, fucis, fluconorm). When a secondary bacterial infection is attached, antimicrobials (metronidazole, amoxiclav) may be prescribed.

Medicines can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Remember that antibiotic treatment has many contraindications (eg, renal failure, liver disease, individual intolerance).

Personal hygiene

At the initial stage of non-infectious balanitis, it is enough to wash the head of the penis and its foreskin with soap or a weak solution of potassium permanganate several times a day. It is also recommended to wear loose underwear and change it daily. Baths with an infusion of herbs (sequence, calendula, chamomile), a solution of furacilin or other antiseptics will help relieve inflammation.

Treatment of comorbidities

As mentioned above, balanitis and balanoposthitis are often the result of other infectious and non-infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. In this case, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease or eliminate existing foci of infection. Improving immunity also plays an important role.

Surgery

Operative methods of treatment are required mainly for advanced cases of the disease and untimely seeking medical help. Such complications of balanitis as tissue necrosis, cicatricial phimosis of the foreskin or urethral stenosis also require surgical intervention.

Prevention of balanitis in men at home

Prevention of balanitis is quite simple, but it will help to avoid inflammation. The main methods of prevention are the observance of personal hygiene and hygiene of sexual life.

  • Daily shower with intimate hygiene, daily change of underwear will help to avoid trouble.
  • Choose your hygiene products carefully.
  • Use protective equipment during sexual intercourse.
  • Avoid hypothermia of the pelvic organs.
  • Monitor your immunity, treat emerging diseases in time.
  •  Regular visits to the urologist will help minimize the risk of balanitis and its complications.

Popular questions and answers

Very often, men do not pay due attention to the signs of balanitis. Why is it dangerous and how to avoid it? We addressed the most popular questions to our expert urologist, andrologist Mikhail Gablia.

What is the difference between balanitis and balanoposthitis?

– Balanitis and balanoposthitis can be called stages of the same disease. Balanitis is rarely an isolated disease. As a rule, after the onset of the acute phase of balanitis (inflammation of the skin of the head of the penis), the skin of the foreskin is also involved in the process due to anatomical proximity. Balanoposthitis develops. If balanitis can still be stopped with the help of personal hygiene, then balanoposthitis requires more intensive treatment.

Why is balanitis dangerous in men?

— Balanitis is treated quite easily and does not cause consequences for the health of a man. The danger of balanitis in complications. Accession of infection, involvement in inflammation of nearby tissues can lead to more serious diseases and erectile dysfunction. A timely appeal to the urologist will help to avoid this.

How long is balanitis in men treated?

– The time of treatment of balanitis depends on the severity of the disease. When contacting a doctor at the initial stage, treatment will take no more than 4-5 days. If an infection has joined the process or other structures are involved, it will take 3-4 weeks to fully recover.

Sources of:

  1. Balanitis and balanoposthitis: causes, symptoms and therapy. Kaminsky A.A. Journal of Clinical Dermatology and Venereology, 2020. No. 19 (4). https://www.mediasphera.ru/issues/klinicheskaya-dermatologiya-i-venerologiya/2020/4/1199728492020041534
  2. Balanitis and balanoposthitis: modern approaches to rational external therapy. Khaldin A.A., Ignatiev D.V., Chistik O.V. https://www.akrikhin.ru/upload/iblock/874/Khaldin.pdf
  3. Topical issues in the treatment of balanoposthitis. Ryumin D.V. // Postgraduate Medical Education, 2007. https://vpmo.info/arhive/n1_2007.pdf#page=48

1 Comment

  1. thanks for informing

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