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Acute balanitis in adults Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, February 2009.

Answers to questions about acute balanitis in adults

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email. This section will expand over time.

 

How should I clean my penis to prevent balanitis?

To help prevent balanitis you should wash and dry your penis and underneath your foreskin thoroughly everyday, especially if you are uncircumcised.

Explanation

Keeping your foreskin and the head of your penis (glans) clean and dry may help to prevent balanitis, especially if you have already had an infection.

Pay particular attention to the end of your penis when showering. Slide your foreskin back so your glans is exposed. Wash the area with warm water only. Using soap can irritate the area, and is the most common cause of recurrent balanitis (when symptoms keep coming back). If you wish, you can use an aqueous cream (such as E45) to clean the area rather than soap, but make sure it's completely rinsed off.

After you have finished washing, dry the area thoroughly. The glans should be completely dry before placing your foreskin back. Use a soft towel and be careful not to dry yourself too vigorously as this may cause irritation.

Some men are prone to developing balanitis after having sex. If this is the case for you, use a non-latex condom or make sure you wash and dry your penis shortly after sex.

Balanitis can develop as a result of irritation to soap, washing powder, latex condoms, lubricants or antiseptics. Try using unperfumed soaps, non-biological detergents or products specifically for sensitive skin. If you know that a certain product causes your symptoms, avoid using it or try an alternative brand. Also, feminine hygiene sprays can sometimes cause balanitis, talk to your partner about any products she may be using.

Further information

Sources

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I seem to be prone to getting balanitis, why is this?

Some men are more likely to get balanitis than others. This can include men who haven't been circumcised, have diabetes or have poor personal hygiene.

Explanation

Balanitis is a common condition, although it's not known exactly how many men are affected. However, there are several factors that make it more likely that you will get balanitis, including the following:

  • Not being circumcised - candidal balanitis is common in men who haven't been circumcised, however, rare in men who have. The foreskin over the glans provides the perfect environment for infection to thrive if it's not washed and dried properly.
  • Diabetes - particularly if it's uncontrolled or you don't know you have it. An increase in the amount of sugar in your urine can make you prone to candidal balanitis.
  • Poor genital hygiene - infrequent washing and drying of your glans and foreskin.
  • Frequent over washing of your penis - especially if you use an alkaline soap or vigorously dry your glans and foreskin with a harsh towel.
  • Having a partner with vaginal thrush - this can cause candidal balanitis in men.
  • Phimosis - this is when you are unable to pull back your foreskin. You can be born with it or you can get it later in life as a result of an infection or poor genital hygiene.
  • Using a skin irritant - such as soaps, detergents, lubricants and anticeptics.
  • After taking antibiotics - following a course of antibiotics, you may be more prone to candidal balanitis.

If you are concerned about balanitis or any of the risk factors associated with it, you should see your GP for advice.

Further information

Sources

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Why am I more likely to get balanitis if I have diabetes?

Having diabetes makes you more prone to balanitis because of the amount of glucose in your urine, especially if your diabetes is not under control or you don't know you have it.

Explanation

Diabetes is a long-term condition where your body is unable to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood properly. It develops when your body no longer responds adequately to the natural hormone insulin, or when production of insulin is too low. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes

Insulin helps your body to maintain the correct level of blood glucose. If your insulin supply fails, glucose levels in your blood keep on rising. Once they have risen beyond a certain level, glucose starts to leak out of your bloodstream into your urine. Balanitis is more likely to develop because of the amount of glucose in your urine making the organisms that cause balanitis grow more rapidly.

We all have organisms living on our skin that don't usually cause us any harm. However, if the conditions are right, particularly when there is excess glucose in your urine, these organisms can multiply rapidly to cause infection. Candidal balanitis is common in men with diabetes because the cause of the infection, Candida albicans, multiplies and spreads when the urine contains glucose.

The risk of developing balanitis is more likely if your diabetes is uncontrolled or if you don't know that you have it. Often, men with recurrent balanitis (symptoms keep coming back) are tested for diabetes by their GP, as this is frequently the cause. If you have any concerns about balanitis or diabetes, see your GP.

Further information

Sources

  • Bilous RW, Understanding diabetes. Poole: Family Doctor Publications, 2001
  • Balanitis. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 14 February 2008
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Should I stop having sex if I have balanitis?

Balanitis can be caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), so you should wait until you have seen your doctor and been treated before resuming sexual relations.

Explanation

Balanitis can be caused by several different STIs. Recent research has shown that 11 percent of men attending genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinics have balanitis. These infections can be passed from one person to another during intimate physical contact. Sexual intercourse, non-penetrative genital contact, sex toys shared between partners and oral sex can all transmit an infection. STIs that cause balanitis include:

  • genital herpes
  • gonorrhoea
  • syphilis
  • chlamydia
  • Trichomonas vaginalis

If you have balanitis symptoms you may have an STI, so it's important to see your GP for a diagnosis and treatment. If your GP suspects a STI, you will be referred to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. GUM clinics specialise in identifying and treating sexual health conditions and conditions related to the urinary system (the system that produces urine). Here you will be screened for other STIs and given treatment. It's generally advised that you wait until you are given the 'all clear' before resuming sexual relations.

Balanitis symptoms can make your penis sore and tender, and in some cases, make it difficult to pull back your foreskin. Having sex when you have symptoms can be painful. Also, latex condoms may irritate your symptoms further.

Candidal balanitis can be caused by having sex with a partner who has vaginal thrush. Both candidal balanitis and vaginal thrush are caused by Candida albicans. If you continue having sex with a partner who has vaginal thrush, and she leaves it untreated, you may keep getting symptoms (recurrent balanitis). It's important that you and your partner are both tested and treated if you have candidal balanitis. You should both wait until you have the 'all clear' before resuming sexual relations.

Further information

Sources

  • Balanitis. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 14 February 2008
  • 2001 National Guideline on the Management of Balanitis. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV.www.bashh.org, accessed 12 February 2008

 

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by consultant radiologist Dr Daniel Boxer, MRCP(UK), FRCR at Spire Bushey Hospital and by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: February 2009

 

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