What is a short frenulum and how does it differ from the normal one? What does this mean in terms of personal health and couple life? We will discuss these and other questions in this article.
The frenulum is that thin flap of skin that can be seen from the outside, located between the glans and the foreskin. It is a piece of elastic tissue that allows the skin of the foreskin to move.
Like penises, frenulums can also be different: they can be distinguished by greater or less thickness or by attachment to the head, and this is completely normal. We are talking about a short frenulum, when this part of the skin is not elastic or long enough for the foreskin to slide properly.
How to understand that the frenulum is short?
We said that if the skin of the foreskin does not reach the glans, then we already have an indicator of something outside the norm at the level of the frenulum. In this case, one should proceed not from the actual length of the frenulum, but from whether the skin moves away from the retracted foreskin and whether pain occurs during intercourse.
In any case, if you feel pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse or erection, or you have doubts about the anatomy of your reproductive system, it is advisable to contact a urologist at Bogolyuby MC , who will be able to identify any critical problems during your visit.
Where does this lead?
Basically, a short frenulum results in less elasticity or inability of the skin tissue of the foreskin to move fully, exposing the head of the penis. In this case, it makes sense to pay increased attention to intimate hygiene; there is also the possibility of pain during sexual activity (penetration or masturbation).
Men with a short frenulum may either have greater sensitivity, so it is likely that they experience frequent premature ejaculation, or, conversely, experience difficulty maintaining an erection due to pain. This condition can jeopardize intimate health, causing critical problems during sex.
In addition, the high risk of frenulum rupture leads to bleeding. Also, a short frenulum can cause downward curvature of the penis.
What should I do?
Both partners in a couple must be aware of this condition in order to know how to behave and not cause pain to the man. Lubrication is a fundamental aspect that cannot be underestimated. Using lubricants can help limit any irritation. A condom, which is always recommended to avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, can also be used in the case of a short frenulum, even if the foreskin must be lowered when putting on the condom.
Corticosteroid creams are often recommended, although there are conflicting theories about how they work. Unfortunately, there are no special exercises or massages to lengthen the frenulum . Therefore, if the problem cannot be solved with the help of creams, you will have to resort to frenuloplasty or circumcision surgery.
Frenuloplasty is an operation consisting of cutting the frenulum or directly plasticizing it. The operation is quite simple (about a couple of hours under local anesthesia), and even the postoperative period does not require special attention or a long hospital stay. Another solution for a short frenulum is circumcision, a surgical operation in which the foreskin and often the frenulum are removed to eliminate pain and leave the glans exposed. During circumcision, the foreskin and frenulum are removed, but if the frenulum is short, frenuloplasty can be performed separately.
