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One of the many frenulum of the human body is the frenulum of the foreskin (Latin frenulum preputi) – a thin skin fold connecting the foreskin with the glans of the penis. It usually attaches below the outer opening of the urethra, runs over the gastric groove and ends within the inner lamina of the foreskin.
The correct frenulum allows the foreskin to slide freely beyond the compulsive groove, both in the state of hanging and during penile erection. It happens, however, that the frenulum of the foreskin is too short, which causes certain ailments and discomfort in sexual life.
Secondary and congenital shortening of the frenulum of the foreskin
The shortening of the frenulum can be congenital or acquired. Secondary shortening of the frenulum is sometimes the result of inflammation or trauma to the penis. In the case of congenital shortening of the frenulum or its low flexibility, the glans is painfully pulled during erection and intercourse, the frenulum tears, and sometimes even breaks its continuity.
In addition to pain, bleeding occurs, which in most men stops when the wound is pressed. Repeated fracture and spontaneous healing of these small fractures (unless a man sees a doctor) can cause scarring and further shortening of the frenulum, making intercourse even more difficult.
If the frenulum has ruptured, if the bleeding stops spontaneously, no surgical intervention is needed. However, you should refrain from sexual activity for a month and take care of proper penile hygiene by washing it twice a day. If a man is bathing or showering, he should gently pull the foreskin back.
Once the frenulum has healed and there are no problems with retracting the foreskin, a visit to the doctor is not necessary. Otherwise, another rupture may occur, therefore medical consultation is recommended. Occasionally, the doctor may consider complete circumcision.
Also read: Male sexual dysfunctions. How to deal with them?
Surgical treatment of the frenulum of the foreskin
In the case of problems resulting from a too short frenulum, it is necessary to consult a urologist and start treatment. The therapy consists in performing a plastic surgery to extend the frenulum (plastic incisions and appropriate stitching) – says prof. Wojciech Perdzyński, a surgeon who has been carrying out penile reconstruction operations for many years. – This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia. The results of treatment, provided that the operations are carried out by experienced doctors, are good. It takes a week to heal the wound after surgery. At least one post-operative follow-up is advisable. A monthly break in sexual intercourse is also necessary, which is needed to increase the tensile strength of the sutured wound.
During this break, special attention to intimate hygiene is also required. It is recommended to take a daily shower, during which the foreskin should be gently withdrawn and the operated area washed with water with antibacterial soap or chamomile solution. After bathing, it is not recommended to wipe the operated area with a towel, but only disinfect it with the recommended preparation (indicated by your doctor) and let it dry. Doctors often recommend using an antibiotic ointment for the next few days after the procedure.
Find out more: A crooked penis and Peyronie’s disease. Penis self-examination
Contraindications to the operation of the frenulum of the foreskin
From a medical point of view, there are no contraindications for the operation of the frenulum of the foreskin, and this procedure is performed on patients of all ages.
Also read: Penis size – how much is it on average? How to properly measure the penis?
Complications after surgery of the frenulum of the foreskin
In most cases, there are no complications, but you should bear in mind that, as with any surgery, there is a risk. It is very important that the operation of the frenulum of the foreskin is performed by a specialist in this field.
The most common complications after surgery of the frenulum of the foreskin are the most common penis swelling that lasts for several days. Occasionally there is an infection (requiring further treatment) or bleeding from the wound (sometimes requiring re-treatment). In turn, it is very rare that there is a sensory change in the penis, scar tenderness, and even the need for circumcision if the procedure did not bring the expected result.
Frenulum and phimosis
Another common defect of the penis is phimosis, i.e. a narrowing of the foreskin that prevents the glans from being freely exposed and the external opening of the urethra from being visualized. In boys or men who cannot retract the foreskin due to phimosis, it is also impossible to assess whether the frenulum is normal. When the foreskin covers the glans, the frenulum is not tense and causes no discomfort. The need for its possible extension is identified only by the surgeon during plastic surgery to widen the foreskin.
Leaving the frenulum too short after phimosis surgery will cause the man to experience pains that he did not have before. Because the slipping of the foreskin when erect (and this is the case, for example, in the case of sexual contact) will become the cause of stretching the frenulum and pulling the glans downwards. Therefore, the doctor informs the patient who is to undergo phimosis about it and informs him about the possibility of lengthening the frenulum (if it turns out to be too short) during the same procedure.
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- Loneliness is a threat to men as well as a failed relationship
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