A frenulum tear can be uncomfortable and affect the sexual experience, particularly on a significant night like a wedding. Can you imagine how horrible this thing will make your night if you and your partner are both unaware of this fact? How serious or how common is the reason for this tear? To remove all doubts regarding frenulum tear, what to do if it happens to you, and to be aware of the necessary facts related to it, this article will give you a complete guide.
Understanding Frenulum Tear
A small tissue fold called the frenulum joins different body parts. The frenulum is a structure present in various parts of the human body, including the lips, the genitalia (penile or vaginal), and under the tongue. Injury, stress, or trauma to that particular location might result in a frenulum tear. Here, in this article, we are focusing on the frenulum present in the male genitalia, i.e., the penis. We are about to discuss the cause of the tear in the frenulum, which is sexual activity alone and not cycling, improper pubic hair shaving, wearing tight undergarments, or any other factors.
The tiny band of tissue that connects the foreskin to the penile shaft is called the frenulum, and it is situated beneath the penis. Its main purpose is to help pull the foreskin back over the glans. The male penis is an essential component of the reproductive system; it facilitates sexual activity and acts as a passage for the excretion of urine. Sexual activity can cause a rip in the frenulum, and there may be a higher chance of tearing or injury if a person has a short or tight frenulum, a taut penis, and dryness during intercourse. Because the frenulum contains blood vessels, particularly the frenular artery, tearing could result in bleeding. This tear can cause pain, bleeding, and discomfort. It is quite sensitive because it is a highly innervated area. Short frenulums can cause issues, like trouble retracting the foreskin.
What to Do After Bleeding Starts?
Whenever a frenulum tear happens to someone, the first and most important thing an individual needs to do is take some basic first aid steps on their own to stop the bleeding.
Apply pressure: Apply a little pressure to the affected region using gauze or a clean cloth. This aids in halting the bleeding. Once the bleeding starts to slow down or stop, apply pressure for a few minutes.
Clean the area: To avoid infection, gently wash the area surrounding the tear with warm water and mild soap. After that, pat the area dry.
Apply an ice pack. Using a cold compress or a wrapped ice pack will help ease pain and minimize swelling.
Control Your Emotions: Prevent additional harm by abstaining from sexual activity and other actions that could rip the wound deeper or exacerbate it.
Now, after completing these basic steps on your own, as you can't go instantly to any professional, you need to seek any medical professional to be sure if any extra things are needed to be done with it. Let us now discuss at what point you can realize that visiting any medical professional is necessary.
Consulting with a Doctor
You should consider seeing a doctor or healthcare provider for a frenulum tear in the following situations:
A tear that continuously breaks with even mild exercise or sexual activity, and the skin does not heal even after a week. Infection symptoms include swelling, redness, and pus, along with pain or irritation during urination or without it. Urine came out along with drops of blood. Peculiar redness surrounding the rip, particularly if it begins to extend. Warmth or swelling-type situation surrounding the tear. Any sensation loss you're feeling after the frenulum tear.
The doctor will give you instructions on how to clean it and change the bandages until it heals. To aid in the healing process and shield the tissues from potential bacterial or viral infections, your doctor might recommend an antibiotic ointment along with some oral antibiotics if necessary. They'll assess whether the tear is healing appropriately and make sure that there are no potential consequences from the wound or infection.
Also, surgery for a frenulum tear may be necessary in certain cases where conservative measures fail to resolve the issue or when the tear is severe. Here are some situations where surgery might be considered:
If attempts at conservative treatment are unsuccessful in stopping the frenulum tear, a surgical operation known as a frenuloplasty or frenectomy may be advised. To fully mend the frenulum, surgery may be required if the rip is large or widespread. If the tear causes persistent pain or discomfort or if it prevents the patient from urinating or engaging in sexual activity, Damage to the penile nerves or vessels, which are necessary for blood flow, is irreparable.
A frenuloplasty is the most commonly used technique to treat a torn frenulum. This process aids in prolonging the frenulum. It's a simple outpatient procedure done under general or local anesthesia. A study has been performed to look out for the results of this surgery, and it has been found that people after this surgery don't feel any major pain or discomfort, and after 1-2 months, everything is normal. However, you need to take some precautions on your own to make the healing process better. Let's have a look at those precautions.
What After Surgery?
After undergoing frenulum surgery (frenuloplasty or frenulectomy), it's essential to follow post-operative care instructions provided by your healthcare provider. Here are some general guidelines that patients might follow after the surgery.
If the patient experiences discomfort following surgery, he needs to use over-the-counter medications. Every time you urinate, pat the region dry to avoid pee buildup in the vicinity of the wound. Occasionally take off the bandage and change it regularly, particularly after urinating. For as long as your doctor prescribes, avoid strenuous exercise and sexual activity. A healthy recovery requires allowing the area to heal without any strain. Your doctor may advise applying cold packs wrapped in a cloth to relieve pain and reduce swelling if there is any. Males who have not undergone circumcision must remove their foreskin every day to promote healing.
Conclusion
Males who are sexually active and engage in frequent, rough sex with several partners are prone to frenulum tears. The risk of frenulum tears rises when an individual participates in sexual activities without the use of a lubricant. The patient needs to take care of his genitalia following the damage, even though it is not life-threatening. In certain cases, the patient may even require surgery; in other cases, he just needs to follow certain guidelines and take over-the-counter medications to speed up the healing process.