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Balanitis is one of the most common urological conditions in men, causing discomfort and directly affecting sexual health. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, balanitis may lead to serious complications that can negatively impact both overall health and quality of life.

What is balanitis?

Balanitis is a condition in which the thin layer of skin covering the glans penis becomes infected by fungi, bacteria, or viruses, leading to pain and discomfort.

The foreskin normally serves to protect the glans from external factors; therefore, when inflammation occurs, it directly affects the glans. If left untreated, the infection may spread to other structures such as the vas deferens or testes, potentially impairing sexual function and overall male health.

Signs and symptoms of balanitis

Acute balanitis

The acute form often begins suddenly and presents with pronounced symptoms such as:

• Persistent itching and discomfort
• Redness, swelling, and burning pain of the foreskin
• White or yellow discharge, sometimes with pus and foul odor
• Small papules or ulcerative lesions on the surface of the foreskin

Chronic balanitis

Chronic balanitis refers to long-standing or recurrent inflammation of the glans and foreskin, often resulting from incomplete or inadequate treatment of the acute condition. Typical manifestations include:

• Persistent swelling, pain, and burning sensation, especially during urination or sexual intercourse
• Red streaks or edematous red patches on the foreskin that do not improve despite temporary self-care measures
• Larger ulcerative lesions with discharge containing pus or blood, slow healing, and potential scarring or thickening and deformity of the foreskin
• Roughened skin texture of the foreskin, sometimes accompanied by blister-like lesions

Causes of balanitis

Balanitis may arise from various causes. Understanding these contributing factors not only helps in prevention but also supports more effective treatment. The most common causes include:

• Phimosis or redundant foreskin: Phimosis (inability to fully retract the foreskin) or an excessively long foreskin (covering the glans even during erection) makes hygiene difficult. This allows debris to accumulate beneath the foreskin, creating favorable conditions for harmful microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria to grow.
• Unprotected sexual activity: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea or syphilis can increase the risk of balanitis, particularly in men with multiple sexual partners or those who do not use protection during intercourse.
• Poor hygiene: Inadequate genital hygiene or infrequent change of underwear can promote bacterial and fungal growth, leading to inflammation of the foreskin.
• Other causes: Conditions such as urethritis or urinary tract infections may also predispose men to balanitis.

Can balanitis heal on its own?

If balanitis is caused by temporary irritation or inadequate hygiene, the condition may improve once daily habits are adjusted. Maintaining proper genital hygiene, using suitable personal care products, and avoiding irritants can help relieve inflammation.

However, in most cases where balanitis is due to bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, the condition will not resolve on its own and requires medical intervention. Without timely treatment, balanitis may recur frequently and lead to serious complications such as:

• Urinary tract infection
• Orchitis or epididymitis
• Impaired fertility, particularly in cases of prolonged or recurrent inflammation

Therefore, professional medical evaluation and appropriate treatment remain the most effective ways to eliminate the condition and prevent complications.

Treatment of balanitis

The management of balanitis depends on its underlying cause, severity, and overall clinical condition. Identifying the exact cause is essential for accurate and effective treatment. The main therapeutic approaches include:

Medication

For mild cases or when the condition is diagnosed early, targeted medications can effectively control inflammation, relieve discomfort, and eliminate the causative agents. Patients must strictly follow the prescribed dosage and regimen to prevent drug resistance and recurrence.

• Antibiotics: Indicated when balanitis is caused by bacterial infection. Common options include polymyxin, penicillin, or chloramphenicol.
• Antifungal agents: Used for fungal infections such as Candida balanitis, with medications like clotrimazole or fluconazole.
• Antiviral agents: Prescribed in cases of viral infection, with agents such as valacyclovir or famciclovir.

Circumcision as an interventional treatment for balanitis

Circumcision is often indicated in cases of chronic or recurrent balanitis, particularly when associated with phimosis (tight foreskin) or redundant foreskin. The primary goal is to remove the excess tissue, reduce the risk of long-term infection, and facilitate proper hygiene. Circumcision may be performed using either conventional techniques or advanced devices.

Traditional surgical circumcision

This method has been widely used for many years. Under local anesthesia, the surgeon uses sterilized surgical instruments to remove the foreskin, followed by suturing of the incision.

• Advantages: Lower cost.
• Limitations: Greater pain, longer recovery time, higher risk of infection, and increased likelihood of scarring. Due to these drawbacks, it is now less commonly performed.

Circumcision using a stapler device

This modern technique employs an automatic cutting and stapling device, similar to a surgical stapler, to remove the excess foreskin. It is considered highly effective and cost-efficient, offering several advantages:

• High precision with minimal intervention: The advanced 2-in-1 function (cutting and stapling simultaneously) ensures accurate and uniform removal of foreskin, reducing the risk of error and minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
• Less pain and faster recovery: The procedure is performed quickly in a single step. The self-dissolving staples eliminate the need for suture removal, reducing discomfort and significantly shortening recovery time after treatment.

Trusted medical center for balanitis treatment

Circumcision is a relatively simple procedure; however, if performed without strict adherence to aseptic standards, it can lead to serious health risks for men.

To ensure both safety and effectiveness in every intervention, Hong Ngoc General Hospital applies advanced circumcision using an automatic stapler device imported from Europe, meeting the following criteria:

• Definitive management of balanitis: The European-standard stapler device creates a minimal and uniform incision across the foreskin, removing only the inflamed tissue and excess foreskin with precision. This minimizes unnecessary trauma and reduces the risk of complications compared with traditional methods.
• Safe for both adults and children: The procedure is completed in approximately 15 minutes without the need for general anesthesia. Each patient is provided with a dedicated, single-use device, performed in a strictly sterile environment, thereby eliminating the risk of cross-infection.

Department of Andrology and Urological Surgery – Hong Ngoc General Hospital

No. 8 Chau Van Liem, Tu Liem District, Hanoi

Hotline: 091 200 21 31

• A leading and trusted hospital – ensuring 100% confidentiality
• Expert physicians with over 30 years of experience, applying treatment protocols in accordance with the European Association of Urology (EAU).
• State-of-the-art surgical technologies in andrology and urology, including circumcision with an automatic stapler device, laser endoscopic surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia, vasectomy, and microscopic vasovasostomy.
• Advanced microbiological laboratory system for accurate detection of male urological and reproductive disorders.
• Proven track record of success, with thousands of surgeries performed for balanitis, testicular conditions, prostate diseases, and more.

Balanitis is one of the most common urological conditions in men, causing discomfort and directly affecting sexual health. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, balanitis may lead to serious complications that can negatively impact both overall health and quality of life.

What is balanitis?

Balanitis is a condition in which the thin layer of skin covering the glans penis becomes infected by fungi, bacteria, or viruses, leading to pain and discomfort.

The foreskin normally serves to protect the glans from external factors; therefore, when inflammation occurs, it directly affects the glans. If left untreated, the infection may spread to other structures such as the vas deferens or testes, potentially impairing sexual function and overall male health.

Signs and symptoms of balanitis

Acute balanitis

The acute form often begins suddenly and presents with pronounced symptoms such as:

• Persistent itching and discomfort
• Redness, swelling, and burning pain of the foreskin
• White or yellow discharge, sometimes with pus and foul odor
• Small papules or ulcerative lesions on the surface of the foreskin

Chronic balanitis

Chronic balanitis refers to long-standing or recurrent inflammation of the glans and foreskin, often resulting from incomplete or inadequate treatment of the acute condition. Typical manifestations include:

• Persistent swelling, pain, and burning sensation, especially during urination or sexual intercourse
• Red streaks or edematous red patches on the foreskin that do not improve despite temporary self-care measures
• Larger ulcerative lesions with discharge containing pus or blood, slow healing, and potential scarring or thickening and deformity of the foreskin
• Roughened skin texture of the foreskin, sometimes accompanied by blister-like lesions

Causes of balanitis

Balanitis may arise from various causes. Understanding these contributing factors not only helps in prevention but also supports more effective treatment. The most common causes include:

• Phimosis or redundant foreskin: Phimosis (inability to fully retract the foreskin) or an excessively long foreskin (covering the glans even during erection) makes hygiene difficult. This allows debris to accumulate beneath the foreskin, creating favorable conditions for harmful microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria to grow.
• Unprotected sexual activity: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea or syphilis can increase the risk of balanitis, particularly in men with multiple sexual partners or those who do not use protection during intercourse.
• Poor hygiene: Inadequate genital hygiene or infrequent change of underwear can promote bacterial and fungal growth, leading to inflammation of the foreskin.
• Other causes: Conditions such as urethritis or urinary tract infections may also predispose men to balanitis.

Can balanitis heal on its own?

If balanitis is caused by temporary irritation or inadequate hygiene, the condition may improve once daily habits are adjusted. Maintaining proper genital hygiene, using suitable personal care products, and avoiding irritants can help relieve inflammation.

However, in most cases where balanitis is due to bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, the condition will not resolve on its own and requires medical intervention. Without timely treatment, balanitis may recur frequently and lead to serious complications such as:

• Urinary tract infection
• Orchitis or epididymitis
• Impaired fertility, particularly in cases of prolonged or recurrent inflammation

Therefore, professional medical evaluation and appropriate treatment remain the most effective ways to eliminate the condition and prevent complications.

Treatment of balanitis

The management of balanitis depends on its underlying cause, severity, and overall clinical condition. Identifying the exact cause is essential for accurate and effective treatment. The main therapeutic approaches include:

Medication

For mild cases or when the condition is diagnosed early, targeted medications can effectively control inflammation, relieve discomfort, and eliminate the causative agents. Patients must strictly follow the prescribed dosage and regimen to prevent drug resistance and recurrence.

• Antibiotics: Indicated when balanitis is caused by bacterial infection. Common options include polymyxin, penicillin, or chloramphenicol.
• Antifungal agents: Used for fungal infections such as Candida balanitis, with medications like clotrimazole or fluconazole.
• Antiviral agents: Prescribed in cases of viral infection, with agents such as valacyclovir or famciclovir.

Circumcision as an interventional treatment for balanitis

Circumcision is often indicated in cases of chronic or recurrent balanitis, particularly when associated with phimosis (tight foreskin) or redundant foreskin. The primary goal is to remove the excess tissue, reduce the risk of long-term infection, and facilitate proper hygiene. Circumcision may be performed using either conventional techniques or advanced devices.

Traditional surgical circumcision

This method has been widely used for many years. Under local anesthesia, the surgeon uses sterilized surgical instruments to remove the foreskin, followed by suturing of the incision.

• Advantages: Lower cost.
• Limitations: Greater pain, longer recovery time, higher risk of infection, and increased likelihood of scarring. Due to these drawbacks, it is now less commonly performed.

Circumcision using a stapler device

This modern technique employs an automatic cutting and stapling device, similar to a surgical stapler, to remove the excess foreskin. It is considered highly effective and cost-efficient, offering several advantages:

• High precision with minimal intervention: The advanced 2-in-1 function (cutting and stapling simultaneously) ensures accurate and uniform removal of foreskin, reducing the risk of error and minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
• Less pain and faster recovery: The procedure is performed quickly in a single step. The self-dissolving staples eliminate the need for suture removal, reducing discomfort and significantly shortening recovery time after treatment.

Trusted medical center for balanitis treatment

Circumcision is a relatively simple procedure; however, if performed without strict adherence to aseptic standards, it can lead to serious health risks for men.

To ensure both safety and effectiveness in every intervention, Hong Ngoc General Hospital applies advanced circumcision using an automatic stapler device imported from Europe, meeting the following criteria:

• Definitive management of balanitis: The European-standard stapler device creates a minimal and uniform incision across the foreskin, removing only the inflamed tissue and excess foreskin with precision. This minimizes unnecessary trauma and reduces the risk of complications compared with traditional methods.
• Safe for both adults and children: The procedure is completed in approximately 15 minutes without the need for general anesthesia. Each patient is provided with a dedicated, single-use device, performed in a strictly sterile environment, thereby eliminating the risk of cross-infection.

Department of Andrology and Urological Surgery – Hong Ngoc General Hospital

No. 8 Chau Van Liem, Tu Liem District, Hanoi

Hotline: 091 200 21 31

• A leading and trusted hospital – ensuring 100% confidentiality
• Expert physicians with over 30 years of experience, applying treatment protocols in accordance with the European Association of Urology (EAU).
• State-of-the-art surgical technologies in andrology and urology, including circumcision with an automatic stapler device, laser endoscopic surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia, vasectomy, and microscopic vasovasostomy.
• Advanced microbiological laboratory system for accurate detection of male urological and reproductive disorders.
• Proven track record of success, with thousands of surgeries performed for balanitis, testicular conditions, prostate diseases, and more.