Frenulum Shortness and Its Impact on Erection Pain - Urology

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Frenulum of the prepuce


Hello Doctor, I would like to ask a question.
I have seen some concerns regarding a short frenulum causing pain during erections due to pulling.
I have a problem with phimosis, but I do not experience pain during an erection when the foreskin is not retracted.
However, when I retract the foreskin, I encounter adhesion issues that prevent it from being fully retracted, and in this situation, I feel pulling pain near the frenulum during an erection.
Therefore, my question is: if someone has a short frenulum, would they feel pulling pain during an erection regardless of whether the foreskin is retracted or not? In my case, it seems that I do not have a short frenulum, but rather the pain is caused by the adhesions preventing the foreskin from retracting past the glans during an erection.
Is this understanding correct? Thank you for your response, Doctor.

Chen Tongxue, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/01/06

Dr. Li Yilun reply Urology


If the frenulum is too short, it may affect the angle of the penis during an erection.
However, your condition is more likely related to discomfort from phimosis.
It is important to note that a simple description cannot determine the diagnosis, so it is emphasized that if you have any concerns, you should seek consultation and examination from a qualified physician nearby.
Physicians often need to take a medical history, perform a visual examination, palpation, and other assessments to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Reply Date: 2016/01/06

More Info


Frenulum shortness, or a condition known as frenulum breve, can indeed lead to discomfort during erections, particularly if the frenulum is too short to accommodate the natural movement of the penis during an erection. The frenulum is a sensitive band of tissue located on the underside of the penis, connecting the glans (tip) to the shaft. When this tissue is too short, it can cause tension and pain during erections, especially if the foreskin is retracted.

In your case, it seems you are experiencing pain when the foreskin is retracted due to adhesions that prevent it from moving freely. This can create a situation where the frenulum is under increased tension during an erection, leading to discomfort. It is important to differentiate between the two conditions: frenulum breve and adhesions due to phimosis (which is the inability to retract the foreskin fully).
If you have phimosis, where the foreskin cannot be easily retracted, this can lead to painful erections as well. The adhesions you mentioned may be a result of the foreskin not being able to retract properly, which can cause the skin to pull on the frenulum during an erection, resulting in pain.
To answer your question, if you had a short frenulum, it is likely that you would experience pain regardless of whether the foreskin is retracted or not, as the tension would be present during an erection. However, in your situation, it appears that the pain is primarily due to the inability to retract the foreskin fully, which causes the frenulum to be pulled taut during an erection.

It is advisable to consult a urologist or a healthcare provider who specializes in male genital health. They can perform a physical examination and determine whether you have frenulum breve, phimosis, or another condition that may be contributing to your discomfort. Treatment options may include topical steroid creams to help with adhesions, stretching exercises, or in some cases, surgical intervention such as a frenuloplasty or circumcision, depending on the severity of the condition and your personal preferences.

In summary, while a short frenulum can cause pain during erections, your symptoms may be more closely related to the adhesions and inability to retract the foreskin. A proper evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

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