Why does the frenulum snap

I tried salty baths, Vaseline, Savlon, even Sudacreme - a cream for healing nappy rash - but it didn't heal me. As ever, the internet provided conflicting information, and worryingly, a couple of sites mentioned full circumcision under general anaesthetic and an overnight hospital stay. This was backed up by a nurse I spoke to at Guy's hospital in London; I didn't like the sound of it at all.

I rather like my foreskin. Two months on, confused and increasingly concerned, I visited my local genito-urinary clinic. The consultant suggested either a herpes sore I really didn't think so or a tear due to a short frenulum - "frenulum breve" - literally, a "little bowstring'. This, he explained, restricts movement of the foreskin over the head of the penis, leading to soreness, bruising and occasionally a small but painful tear.

So why had I never heard of it? The answer was simple - there is little in the way of published medical research, and people don't talk about it. In , a certain Professor Grewel suggested in the Folia Psychiatrica Neerlandica that the "manifest neglect" of frenulum breve in medical literature is due to a combination of the castration complex among physicians, prudery, and plain masculine pride preventing men from reporting penis problems - as he notes: "When this organ is menaced, fear and anxiety arise.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph. How it happens. It hurts really bad — is this normal? How long do these symptoms typically last? Will the tissue heal on its own? At what point should I see a doctor or other healthcare provider? What can a doctor do to help treat the injury? What do I do if it tears again? Will I need to get surgery? What would surgery entail?

It is a minor outpatient operation under local or general anesthetic. Other symptoms — such as an infected tear, damaged tissue, or an infection in the surrounding penile tissues — can also cause surgery to become necessary. The frenuloplasty procedure involves a surgeon making a cut across the scar tissue. They will place self-dissolving stitches in the opposite direction to the wound, helping lengthen the frenulum. Then, they will usually wrap the penis in a loose bandage that falls off on its own.

In a clinical study , none of the 50 male participants felt any pain after the procedure. Minor cuts and tears can also occur in the vagina. These tears often heal quickly but can cause discomfort for a couple of days. Severe cuts or tears require medical attention, especially if they do not heal despite proper self-care. To treat a vaginal tear, always wash the hands with soap and running water. Wash the affected area daily, but avoid soaking it.

A person can take over-the-counter pain relief to reduce discomfort. However, they should consult a healthcare provider if the pain persists. The labial frenulum is the thin piece of tissue in the mouth that connects the gums to the upper lip. Injuries and tears are possible to the labial frenulum.

This injury is common in children. It usually heals without treatment. However, as with a penile frenulum tear, it will require monitoring for the risk of infection. The penis is a very sensitive area, and any impact or damage is often extremely painful. However, home treatment can help a frenulum tear heal relatively quickly. See a healthcare provider if the bleeding continues, if symptoms do not ease, or if the area becomes infected.

It is important not to rush recovery and to protect the frenulum from further damage. It should heal completely in a matter of weeks. The thin skin around the penis is prone to cuts and tears. Causes of a cut on the penis can include friction, scratching, and accidents. Symptoms of…. If the worst happens during sex and you do end up tearing your penis, you will no doubt be pretty concerned and wonder what to do next. Dr Anand Patel, a specialist in sexual function , has the answers to all your questions if you find yourself or your partner is left with a bleeding penis after sex.

It looks like torn frenulums may be on the rise, and there is one thing which could be to blame — porn.