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Balanitis is the penis issue 11% of men have —

and it leaves an ‘unpleasant smell’

It can be a little unnerving when you get the sense that something isn’t quite right down there.

Maybe you’ve got red marks and an itch (it could be ‘crotch rot’), or if your semen stings you could have a case of prostatic calculi.

But there’s one common penis condition that affects up to 11% of men in the UK, and it could be confused with penile cancer.

Balanitis is essentially where the head of the penis gets enflamed, and this can be triggered by multiple different causes. Long-time sufferers have often taken to Reddit to complain of their discomfort, too.

penis

I’ve had balanitis my whole life,’ lamented one 19-year-old on the social forum. ‘The head of my penis is really sensitive, especially the tip, and it hurts when it’s being touched without lubricant.

‘The tip of my penis looks like it has two lips, and they sometimes grow bigger if I’ve masturbated or not washed myself that day. I am used to it, but it messes up with my self esteem, and it is uncomfortable even when it’s just touching my underwear.’

So, we asked a urologist to give us the lowdown on this unpleasant condition, so you can spot and treat it.

What is balanitis?

‘Balanitis is massively common,’ Dr Jeff Foster, medical director of men’s health at Voy, tells Metro. ‘Especially in diabetics, and men with anatomical penis issues.’

The main symptoms are not serious but they can be unpleasant. They include redness and swelling of the head of the penis, itching, soreness or irritation, and pain when urinating.

You may also get discharge under the foreskin (sometimes with an unpleasant smell), difficulty pulling back the foreskin, and occasionally bleeding or thick discharge.

‘It can be really painful if you get an erection,’ doctor Foster adds.

But there’s one precursor which determines whether you’re likely to get this condition. ‘It tends to occur in people who are not circumcised,’ he says. ‘In fact, you can only really get it if you still have a foreskin.’

How does balanitis develop?

Balanitis can develop due to irritation or an infection under the foreskin, which tends to be bacterial or fungal.

‘This can happen due to poor hygiene leading to a build-up of smegma,’ Dr Foster explains. ‘Fungal infections such as candida can also cause it, as can bacterial infections, reactions to soaps or other irritants, skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, and a tight foreskin (phimosis).’

You can also get balanitis from retaining your wee, or not cleaning your penis properly. On the other hand, you can also get this inflammation from cleaning your penis too much.

Confusing the condition with other problems

Steven Hamill, 36, recently made the news when his rare case of penile cancer was mistaken for balanitis, and he needed four inches of his penis amputated.

But doctor Foster points out that this confusion doesn’t happen often, despite the symptoms being very similar.

‘Both can cause red patches, sores, thickened skin, and persistent inflammation,’ he explains. ‘Some associated skin conditions can also change the appearance of the skin in ways that look similar to cancer, but it is not common to mix them up.’

Balanitis can also be confused with sexually transmitted infections, fungal infections such as thrush, penile eczema or psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, and lichen planus (both inflammatory skin conditions).

Doctor Foster points out the inflammation from balanitis can ‘weaken your skin barrier’ which makes you more susceptible to contracting the above conditions.

How to treat balanitis

It’s important to know that balanitis is a very treatable condition and there’s nothing to be too worried about.

‘Having symptoms doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong,’ Dr Foster adds. ‘With the right care and advice, most cases settle quickly without any long-term problems.’

While the specific treatment depends on what caused your inflammation, but the doc says gentle washing using water and avoiding soaps or irritants is a good place to start.

But don’t worry, if caught early, it’s easy to treat with proper hygiene or topical medications, helping you avoid any long-term complications. If in doubt, go to your local GP for a check-up.’