What Is Frenulum Breve? | Short Frenulum Treatment

Before talking about the condition, let’s first understand what is a frenulum?

A frenulum is the V-shaped skin connecting your foreskin to the head of the penis. It is sensitive to stimulation, offering sexual pleasure. It allows contraction of the foreskin over your penis glans.

In some men, the frenulum is too tight, referring to a condition known as frenulum breve. This can limit the sliding movement of the foreskin resulting in pain during sexual intercourse or erection.

In some cases, the frenulum is so tight that it causes the penis to bend during intercourse. It may also result in erectile dysfunction, frenulum tear, or bleeding during sex. If you have a curved penis, there are plenty of sex positions you can try to work with as well.

Frenulum breve symptoms

It is easy to know if one is affected by this condition. After pulling your foreskin completely, if you feel pressure or tightness, it is an indication that you have frenulum breve. One can also try effective tight foreskin penis treatment.

Also read: What is Balanitis or penis inflammation? Causes and treatment

Some other signs that may indicate the problem are:

The penis bends downwards when the foreskin is pulled back
Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse
One cannot pull back the skin of glans completely

You may also notice frenulum tears or frenulum cuts in case of injury during intercourse.

It may be practical to learn everything you need to know about a foreskin tear in such cases.

Frenulum breve treatment

Wondering which doctor to consult for foreskin problems or frenulum breve? You can consult a urologist. They specialize in diseases of the urinary and reproductive tract. They will run a physical check and confirm the diagnosis.

If you suffer from frenulum breve, they may advise the following treatment options:

Frenulum breve exercises

Stretching exercises can help reduce your symptoms. However, if you have torn the frenulum during intercourse, let it heal before performing this exercise.

Here are the steps:

Insert two index fingers through the foreskin opening to feel the phimotic ring (If you cannot find it, retract the foreskin and see the part that snags on the glans)
Grip the frenulum, near the phimotic ring, between your thumb and forefinger
Pull it away from the body until taut
Hold this position for 30 seconds and then relax

Foreskin stretching exercises

Exercise 1

This exercise is ideal for phimosis or tight foreskin but may also help for frenulum breve.

Retract the foreskin until you face mild discomfort
Hold in this position for 30 seconds
Relax

Tip: You can repeat this exercise five times. Performing it during a shower may help reduce the discomfort associated with it.

Exercise 2

Insert two index fingers through the foreskin opening to feel the phimotic ring (If you cannot find it, retract the foreskin and see the part that snags on the glans)
Pull your fingers in the opposite direction
Hold in this position for 30 seconds
Relax

Tip: You can repeat this exercise five times. Again, performing it during a shower may help reduce the discomfort associated with it.

Topical Ointments

Your physician can prescribe creams or ointments to get rid of frenulum tightness. These ointments can be applied to the frenulum, followed by a gentle massage of the area.

These ointments may take about six weeks to show their effect. Your doctor can also prescribe an ointment for foreskin tears.

One of the most common ointments prescribed for frenulum breve is Xylocaine gel 2%. Other options include Clobetasone Butyrate 0.05% and Betamethasone Dipropionate 0.5%.

In most cases, a doctor will advise you to apply the ointment twice a day for three weeks. You can also perform the stretching exercises mentioned above along with using the prescribed cream.

Surgery

Frenulectomy, or surgical removal of the frenulum, is the definitive treatment for frenulum breve. You may opt for this if the above-mentioned non-surgical methods have not reduced your symptoms.

During this surgery, the frenulum is cut and removed from the penis glans. It is a straightforward procedure, which takes about 20 - 30 minutes. The doctor carries out the procedure under local anaesthesia.

After the frenulum is removed, the wound is stitched together. The doctor will call you for suture removal after a week.

Precautions to be followed after frenulectomy: