Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsComplicationsCausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Complications
Causes
Treatment
Balanitisisinflammationof the head of thepenis(also known as the glans). When the foreskin is also inflamed, it is referred to asbalanoposthitis. Balanitis and balanoposthitis mainly occur in uncircumcised men.
Balanitis is a condition affecting about 11% of adults with penises and 4% of children with penises. It is most common in those over 40, although it can occur at any age.
This article describes the symptoms, causes, complications of balanitis and balanoposthitis. It also provides an overview of the treatment options.
Balanitis Symptoms
Balanitis and balanoposthitis can cause the following symptoms:
RecapSymptoms of balanitis include pain, redness, and a foul-smelling discharge from under the foreskin. There may also be itching, bleeding, and pain with urination.
Recap
Symptoms of balanitis include pain, redness, and a foul-smelling discharge from under the foreskin. There may also be itching, bleeding, and pain with urination.
Though rare, balanitis and balanoposthitis can lead to complications that can affect both urinary and sexual function. This is especially true if the condition is severe or recurrent.
Possible complications include:
Balantitis is also associated with a three-fold increased risk ofpenile cancer.
RecapIn rare instances, balanitis can lead to the inability to retract the foreskin (phimosis) or pull it back over the head of the penis (paraphimosis). Severe or recurrent balanitis can cause changes in the penis that can interfere with urination or sex. It also increases the risk of penile cancer.
In rare instances, balanitis can lead to the inability to retract the foreskin (phimosis) or pull it back over the head of the penis (paraphimosis). Severe or recurrent balanitis can cause changes in the penis that can interfere with urination or sex. It also increases the risk of penile cancer.
What Is Penile Cancer?
The exact cause of balanitis and balanoposthitis is often unclear. Poor hygiene is thought to play a central role.
In people with foreskins, the accumulation of smegma can cause an inflammatory reaction that leads to swelling and redness. The warmth and moisture under the foreskin also provide the perfect environment for bacterial and fungal infections.
Risk factors of balanitis include:
Infections
Infections, whether viral, bacterial, or fungal, can cause balanitis and balanoposthitis. These include:
RecapBalanitis is mainly associated with poor hygiene in uncircumcised males. Other contributing factors include harsh soaps or detergents, spermicidal lubricants, and overwashing. Penile thrush, STD, and other infections can also lead to balanitis.
Balanitis is mainly associated with poor hygiene in uncircumcised males. Other contributing factors include harsh soaps or detergents, spermicidal lubricants, and overwashing. Penile thrush, STD, and other infections can also lead to balanitis.
If you develop the signs and symptoms of balanitis, it is important to seek medical attention. If left untreated, balanitis can lead to complications like paraphimosis.
Treatment options include:
RecapThe treatment of balanitis involves improved hygiene and the avoidance of irritants. Infections may be treated with antibiotics or antifungals. Circumcision may be recommended for recurrent balanitis or if there is phimosis or paraphimosis.
The treatment of balanitis involves improved hygiene and the avoidance of irritants. Infections may be treated with antibiotics or antifungals. Circumcision may be recommended for recurrent balanitis or if there is phimosis or paraphimosis.
Summary
Balanitis is the inflammation of the head of the penis. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, and a foul-smell discharge from under the foreskin. In rare instances, balanitis can lead to phimosis (the inability to retract the foreskin) or paraphimosis (the inability to pull the foreskin back over the head of the penis).
Balanitis mainly affects people with penises who are not circumcised. Poor hygiene, diabetes, harsh soaps and detergents, and bacterial or fungal infections contribute.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Morris B, Krieger JN.Balanitis and related inflammatory conditions affecting the penis. In: Bjerklund Johansen TE, Wagenlehner FME, Matsumoto T, Cho YH, Krieger JN, Shoskes D, Naber KG, editors.Urogenital Infections and Inflammations. Duesseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. doi:10.5680/lhuii000027Dayal S, Sahu P.Zoon balanitis: A comprehensive review.Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2016;37(2):129-138. doi:10.4103/2589-0557.192128
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Morris B, Krieger JN.Balanitis and related inflammatory conditions affecting the penis. In: Bjerklund Johansen TE, Wagenlehner FME, Matsumoto T, Cho YH, Krieger JN, Shoskes D, Naber KG, editors.Urogenital Infections and Inflammations. Duesseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. doi:10.5680/lhuii000027Dayal S, Sahu P.Zoon balanitis: A comprehensive review.Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2016;37(2):129-138. doi:10.4103/2589-0557.192128
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Morris B, Krieger JN.Balanitis and related inflammatory conditions affecting the penis. In: Bjerklund Johansen TE, Wagenlehner FME, Matsumoto T, Cho YH, Krieger JN, Shoskes D, Naber KG, editors.Urogenital Infections and Inflammations. Duesseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. doi:10.5680/lhuii000027Dayal S, Sahu P.Zoon balanitis: A comprehensive review.Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2016;37(2):129-138. doi:10.4103/2589-0557.192128
Morris B, Krieger JN.Balanitis and related inflammatory conditions affecting the penis. In: Bjerklund Johansen TE, Wagenlehner FME, Matsumoto T, Cho YH, Krieger JN, Shoskes D, Naber KG, editors.Urogenital Infections and Inflammations. Duesseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. doi:10.5680/lhuii000027
Dayal S, Sahu P.Zoon balanitis: A comprehensive review.Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2016;37(2):129-138. doi:10.4103/2589-0557.192128
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
