A short and tight frenulum brings a significant risk of tearing during sexual intercourse. Sudden movement or friction during sexual activity can lead to the rupture of this tight band. In this article, the frequently encountered topic of what causes a frenulum tear and how it is treated will be discussed in medical detail.
Why Does the Frenulum Tear?
The primary cause of tearing is an anatomically short frenulum. When the erect penis is subjected to mechanical pressure during intercourse, the tight frenulum cannot withstand this force and tears. A sharp pain is felt at the moment of tearing, followed immediately by heavy bleeding. Because the glans penis has a rich blood supply, the bleeding often causes significant panic in patients.
First Aid and Treatment for a Frenulum Tear
When tearing and bleeding occur, the first step is to apply continuous pressure (compression) to the bleeding area with a clean gauze or towel for 5-10 minutes. In most cases, the bleeding stops with this pressure. However, the definitive treatment is the proper repair of the torn tissue:
- Suture Repair: Frenulum tears left to heal on their own heal with irregular and hard scar tissue. This leads to easier tearing in the future and chronic pain. Therefore, it should be repaired with sutures by a specialist urologist.
- Permanent Frenuloplasty: In clinical cases presenting with tearing complaints, rather than just suturing, a frenuloplasty can be performed to lengthen the band. This prevents the patient from experiencing the same issue in the future.