The penile frenulum is a small, thin piece of tissue that connects the shaft of the penis to its head, but can be damaged by sexual activity, causing pain and bleeding during intercourse. This condition may require medical attention.
When a penis is erect, the blood flow increases and presses against the frenulum, which can cause tearing. This can happen during masturbation, foreplay, vaginal or anal sex, or even accidentally touching the area while walking or sitting. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, bruising, itching, discharge, fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, loss of appetite, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, sweating, weakness, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms, tremors, seizures, hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, depression, insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, agoraphobia, social phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, addiction, personality disorders, dissociative identity disorder, chronic pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, rash, hives, acne, psoriasis, genital warts, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B/C/D, malaria, dengue fever, measles, mumps, rubella, shingles, varicella, whooping cough, influenza, Zika virus, SARS-CoV-2.
Treatment options include antibiotics for infections, corticosteroids for inflammation, analgesics for pain relief, antipsychotics for psychosis, sedatives for anxiety or insomnia, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for OCD, selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for PTSD, antihistamines for allergies, immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases, physical therapy for muscle spasms and joint pain, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for phobias and obsessions, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder, exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD, talk therapy for social anxiety, occupational therapy for workplace stress, medication management for bipolar disorder, dietary modification for eating disorders, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for substance abuse, family therapy for addiction, support groups for grief counseling, behavior modification for chronic pain, deep breathing exercises for panic attacks, relaxation techniques for fibromyalgia, hypnosis for migraines, acupuncture for rashes and hives, herbal remedies for skin irritations, natural supplements for malaria, vaccination for measles and mumps, homeopathy for shingles, essential oils for viruses.
Prevention strategies include wearing a condom during sex, avoiding excessive friction during foreplay or intercourse, using lubricant to reduce friction, practicing safe sex, getting regular STD testing, staying hydrated, managing stress levels, reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, increasing exercise, getting enough sleep, improving nutrition, maintaining good hygiene, and seeking professional help if experiencing symptoms of any underlying mental health conditions.