Balanitis

Content written by Irwin Goldstein, MD

Balanitis is an inflammatory dermatologic condition involving the glans penis and is inevitably seen in men who are uncircumcised. Sometimes men who have had a circumcision but have experienced length loss secondary to such conditions as Peyronie’s disease may be at risk for balanitis. It can be associated with foul order, discharge, pain or bleeding. Chronic balanitis can be associated with closure of the urethral meatus. Treatment of balanitis usually requires retraction of the foreskin with application of topical anti-fungal medication. If the foreskin is scarred and not easily retracted, this condition is called phimosis. Circumcision can offer cure of men with recurrent balanitis.