I was diagnosed with BXO/Lichen Sclerosus about 5 months ago. First doctors recommended doing nothing and just wait how it turns out. Then 2 months later I was prescribed steroid creme as white spots continued to show up on both my foreskin and glans. Ive been using it for 3 months now and not much has changed. My foreskin is basically burning constantly and is very rough to the touch. White spots are also visible. I don't have any problems with my glans however. It looks kinda pale with one or two white patches but no pain or anything. Doctors now recommend circumcision. Are there guys on here who had the circ done and had good results? How likely is it for bxo to come back even after getting cut? I'm kinda scared by all this. I'm worried that sexual sensation goes away after circumcision. After all it's just my foreskin giving me trouble. Maybe I should wait a bit longer??
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Fyro4060
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Im guessing you have a tight forekskin (phimosis)?? Do some more research about BXO and if circumcision resolves it. I have no knowledge about your condition, but im 9 days into circumcision for a case of phimosis. Feeling much better than the first 5 days after the procedure. I think it’s doing ok. Just a lot of patience. I actually decided to do the cut during these times, because of lock down. Plenty of time to rest for now. I know it’s scary at first (been there), so I advice your to speak deeply with your doctor and maybe even speak with several, like even a pediatrician. Will be updating on my case...
Thanks for your reply! No, I don't have phimosis as of now. I'm trying to get experience from fellow bxo sufferers who have undergone circumcision. There's not really much info out there. Even doctors don't understand the condition. They either tell you to use steroid creme or get cut. Whether it works or not seems to be down to the individual.
Thanks but I already know all this info. Im looking for people who had bxo and got it under control with a circ. Some say it works some say the opposite. It's such a pain to find info from people who actually went through it.
Hi Man, I have had lichen sclerosus/bxo in the past. It's definitely not something to be left it will need treatment either with the steroid cream or to have a circumcision. in my case I tried the steroid but in the end I decided to have the circumcision so far I have remaind clear. You can have a look at my post
Thank you so much for your reply! I read through your posts and it's answers. It's amazing to see that there's people who actually beat that horrible disease. I mean yeah it could come back any time as I understand it but 6 whole years without any symptoms is just amazing. As I said in my initial post I have tried the steroid creme for over 3 months now. I actually tried 2. The first I used seemed to only make things worse. And the second really didn't do anything. I just can't see me having to deal with this on a dayli basis for the rest of my life. If circumcision is the only chance to get rid of this permanently I will go for it. I continued to gather more info and it seems that most studies claim over 90% chance of curing the condition by circumcision. If that's the price I have to pay, so be it.
Well I don't know if I have beat it but I I'm in remission I think hopefully it never comes back. if the steroid creams have not worked for you you may need to consider the next step then. talk to your urologist and get there advice they will have seen this before and will give you the best option to go forward. I was the same I just couldn't be dealing with this on a daily basis so I decide for the circumcision and have to say I am glad I did. don't get me wrong you do have to get used to it but at least I'm not dealing with LS everyday day now it can consume your life. I think you are in the early stages that's good my advice would be but don't let it get too bad.
Hi, I'm in the same situation as you and was diagnosed around 2 months ago. I'm in my first month of steroid cream and it has helped. I think you are in the early stages and i'm a little further down the line as I have quite a lot of scarring. Which steroid cream did you use.?
There are mixed reviews whether circumcision is a cure, but many say it is a cure for around 90% of men when the BXO/LS is confined to the glands and foreskin.
Mr Mac has been a great help to me and has been through what you and I are facing. I would recommend you read the posts that he and I have exchanged to gain some comfort and self assurance. BXO/LS is a very worrying thing to turn up in anyone's life. Take your time and get as much knowledge as you can before making any quick decisions. Best of luck to you..
Yes I also think I'm in a quite early stage at the moment. I consulted a urologist and dermatologist as soon as I noticed something was off. The first creme I used was Bethametasone. I used it for a month but it actually made things even worse. The Doc then prescribed another creme called Prednitop. I'm in the last month of the 3 month treatment with that creme now. This one didn't really do much to be honest. My foreskin is getting worse by the day. Although I do have 2 white spots on my glans accompanied by general discoloration I don't have any real issues there. It's really just my foreskin that is burning constantly especially after sex or masturbation. By now the foreskin feels very rough and hardend with white areas. I don't have phimosis yet but I think it's just a matter of time till that starts to happen. I also read that circumcision is supposed to be curative in most of the cases if done early enough that's why I'm strongly considering having it done. I don't want to wait too long and regret it later. I have my next urologist appointment in early June where I plan to ask about the circumcision and his experience with LS coming back even after the cut. For now it's comforting to know that I'm not the only one going through all this. I also wish you the best possible outcome man!
No probs, I'm experiencing the same worries and emotions. I was prescribed Dermovate which appears to be the most recommended for LS. It is a very strong steroid cream - it has softened and slackened tightening of the band and the scarring. My foreskin was sore on and off for 4 years, but is a lot better after the Dermovate… still a little bit of soreness, but i'm only 3 weeks into the 3 month treatment. I also have discolouration on the glans.. a mix of beige/brown colour. Is yours similar or white.?
Read the blogs I've exchanged with Mr Mac. He's a great source of info and very happy with his circumcision after having LS seven years ago. I'm also in the decision period regarding circumcision as a long term maintenance program doesn't sound good to me. Not much fun for us.... keep the faith.
I'm experiencing the same on my foreskin. It's sore pretty much all the time accompanied by a burning sensation that never really goes away. The skin also seems to harden. Like you I also have this brownish color on my glans. It used to be a nice pink color. Now it's overall quite pale with those brownish spots mixed in. I also have 2 white patches. I've read through all of MrMacs conversations yesterday and I'm quite sure now I will go ahead with the circ.
Hi Fyro, yes the way you've described the discolouration on your glans sounds just like mine. I was told by my dermatologist I had Zoon's Balanitis, he was so quick when he looked that he actually missed that I also had Lichen Sclerosus. I actually diagnosed myself from info on the net that I had LS, then had it confirmed. If you read up on Zoon's balanitis... it says the glans can turn an autumn brown colour. You can have both conditions together and circumcision is a definite cure for ZB.
Great news from KinkyTwinky, I was very pleased to hear that..
Oh wow I didn't know that this brown color could actually be a different condition. I heard the term balantitis quite a lot in conjunction with LS now but no doctor ever mentioned it to me. I will make sure to address that in my upcoming appointment.
Yes it's quiet comforting to read that a lot of guys got it under control after the cut. I was very hesitant and scared when I first considered it but now I'm really sure I'm going through with it as soon as possible.
I just had my circumcision 3 days ago after bxo was diagonised on my foreskin. But later on what i see is my glans too has a white spot. I am really worried about it.If anybody has a suggestion.Please help me out.How can i remove the white spots on my glans since i have removed my foreskin after i got circumcised.
Greart comment bxo/ls dominates ur mind,i have burning,blisters,purple/white areas,just as u think ur doin alright it reappears moving areas,clob only slows progression,the pain /burning is hard. to put up with,it just appeared out of blue for me,feels like jesus why has this turned up and ruined a happy life,had it 1.5 years many ups and downs,seems to be tqkin s turn for worse at moment lol
Hi, just read your post.... sorry to hear things aren't going so well. Are the purple/white, blisters etc on the head or foreskin/frenulum area. Is "clob" referring to the steroid cream? Have you been circumcised?
Hi, this sounds similar to what I experienced -obvs I can only tell you what happened to me. BXO is unpleasant, after 6 months of various steroid creams it didn't shift, referred to NHS urologist who advised circumcision. The circ was successful in the sense it has removed the BXO and so far (2 months later) it not come back.
For me, the 'cut' is low and loose, frenulum removed. So the whole inner foreskin is removed. It is a big loss in sensation for me. I'm sure I will get used to it in time but just to warn you. Having said that , the foreskin was so painful the sensation wasn't that pleasant. The cut isn't my personal preference, and the remaining skin has settled to fold over the head. That's not ideal, the idea was to have it completely uncovered to prevent a recurrence. To be honest I just wanted it done. If you look on my previous posts there's more detail. By all means PM if you want to ask anything.
Hi, It's still early days after your circ, but has the loss of sensation affected sexual functions and satisfaction to a great degree..? I'm in the same boat with BXO/LS and will probably be circ'd at some point in the future. I'd have thought the surgeon would have done a tight cut due to the LS to stop any skin folding over the glans... you may be able to have it rectified.
I can only relate my personal experience. I'm not pro or anti circumcision, but I'm strongly in favour of not having medical procedures for non medical reasons and dubious about preemptive surgery. My dad died of bowel cancer a few years ago so I've got some insight. But that Canadian report sounds like 'we need to investigate the link, see why that's the case' not 'lets preemptively remove foreskins' I've no idea what CV19 has to do with this. That seems like another unwarranted in logical reasoning. Happy to discuss your personal position further if you want to PM rather than cluttering the OPs thread.
Thanks for the response en, and maybe my info came over in the wrong way. I am personally not pro circumcision other than for health issues. I was trying to give support to the many guys who have worries [along with myself] about circumcision and that there could be upsides in other ways. By all means check out the Canadian report as should be quite easy to find. Reports vary between 15% and 45% lower risk. If it were the USA giving the report I wouldn't have acknowledged it too much, but the Canadians aren't so pro circumcision. Reading back on the South Korean comment I can see how it could read in a pro circumcision way, and i'm pleased you've highlighted it. I've edited the original message as it could be taken in an unintended way. I'd like to PM you as you've been through something i'm facing re LS, but i'm new to the site and not sure how to do it. Good to hear from you..
I was circumcised in January for what was thought to be phimosis but after a biopsy of the foreskin it turned out to be BXO. I think I was quite lucky in that my recovery went very well, I was back at work in just over a week and could run/cycle etc. after about 3 weeks. There’s been no evidence of the BXO returning and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I know everyone is different but my experience has been nothing but positive.
Dan, Great to hear news that your circumcision turned out so well. That helps us guys with the same health issues who are contemplating circumcision. We all want to get to that place where we're happy again..
I'm pleased to hear that everything went well for you. Got quite a speedy recovery there. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I wish you all the best man!
Just wondered how the sexual side turned out for you after circumcision Dan.? Any problems with intercourse or mastur b.? Also wondered what "cut" you had as it was BXO related. Very pleased to hear it went well..
It’s been great, a lot better than before mainly because there’s no pain. The only thing now is lube is a must for both. As for the cut I don’t really know I had it done on the NHS and this was before learning it was BXO so I just left it to the surgeon. Looking at information online I would say it is high and loose.
Just like to mention one thing Dan... I believe low and tight is best for BXO including losing the frenulum. You don't want any bunching or even slight covering of the glans as it can set off the BXO again. The surgeon may have done high and loose as he didn't know you had BXO... which is a little surprising.!
Check out emails between Mr Mac and myself for some good info [from Mr Mac] on what is considered best "circ" for BXO.
I've read several articles on the net stating you need "full" circumcision for BXO which includes inner foreskin and frenulum.... or it can return in approx 50% of patients.
As always do your own research and check with your doctor/surgeon... just passing on info I've discovered myself. Best of luck..
I also think that low and tight is the way to go when it comes to bxo. Going into this I didn't even know there's different kinds of techniques in circumcision. Luckily my urologist informed me about this. Tomorrow is the last appointment before surgery for me. Getting kinda nervous,lol.
hi! i actually had the same condition as you for years as a teenager. i felt too scared to tell anyone so i left it untreated & it progressively got worse and i developed a ring of scarring on my foreskin. i’m 18 now, & i got the surgery 13 days ago & i haven’t had any complaints. on a scale of 1-10 the pain for the first couple of days, i rate pain around 1-2. circumcision is the solution to phimosis & bxo & i certainly do recommend it as a cure.
Thanks you for sharing your experience KinkyTwinky!
Awesome that everything went well for you. It's comforting to hear that the pain after surgery seems to be tolerable. That's one of my bigger concerns. But after reading all the experiences on here I'm quite sure that I will undergo the circ soon. I wish you all the best man!
That's great news and so pleased it's gone so well for you. It must have been hard to live with BXO as a teenager, but you've now got your whole life in front of you to enjoy.
I was in the situation as yourself a year ago, creams never worked and insisted my urologist for a circ. This was an NHS procedure in London, I had no say into the cut but I didn't care as my objective was to free myself from LS.
My op was last August, with all inner foreskin removed but the frenulum was not removed.
After 38 years of foreskin and now living with a circ is very diffrent. It takes time to get used too. You do loose sensation, but positives are that last longer!
The decision is yours and every person's experience and story will be different. You have to weigh out the pros and cons for yourself.
Loss of sensation is actually one thing I still worry about. But I can deal with it as long as everything still functions normally. Lasting longer may actually be a good thing for my partner, haha. I'm glad everything went well for you mate, best of wishes!
Don't leave LS untreated as this can effect the functions in the long term.
The loss of sensation for me is around 50%, but I have experienced other satisfying sensations now which are more intense then it was before the circ. So I'm happy, free from LS and Mrs is very happy also!!
Great news to hear it all turned well for you. I'm in the same situation re LS and considering being circ'd also. I think we all worry about loss of sensation and how it will affect our sex lives. There are a lot of negatives out there, so good to hear positives from the guys who have preceded us. The general opinion appears to be that vag sex is better but mastur B is worse. However health is no 1. Thanks for the post.
Viginal sex or masturbation, the orgasm is much more intense, your body finds new was of giving you pleasure!!
If I'd known having a circ would helped I would have done this earlier, I waiting just over 2 years before considering going to the GP or evening thinking about having the cut.
I'd advice all who are suffering from LS to find the courage and speak to you GP/Health provider and see an urologist.
I was bounced from a dermatologist then to a urologist, so my treatment took time to start.
i have a Q - is the circ working coz it means the glans is 100% exposed to air .. or is it that the forskin create an immune reaction with glans bcoz of constant contact.
Anyone got ideas on this - coz steroids are not nice to skin .. like thinning and sensitivity ... and having the cut seems a bit extreme if other things can work.
If someone has suffered from mild bxo/ls is it always itchy or is it painful .. cheers guys
LS flares up, it's red and sore and sometimes the foreskin cuts and bleeds. I also found that the areas that flare up turn into scare type tissue on the foreskin and then start to tighten over time The creams did little to take these effects away.
Having the cut is extreme and I would suggest that this should be considered last after trying other treatments first as everyone responds to medication differently.
When you say is the circ working, what do you mean? I'm not aware of any immune issues relating to having or not having foreskin.
Being exposed is not an issue for me, sensation is lost a little so you don't feel any rubbing sensations.
Only just read your last message Rax... I was also bounced around for 3 years between Doctors, Sexual health clinic and Dermatologist before anyone diagnosed LS. I think John Taylor's question re immune reaction is because LS is often believed to be caused by an autoimmune condition. I believe mine was caused by a recurring irritation from a thrush/balanitis problem.
Sounds like your "circ" has turned out really well with no sexual problems. You had it around a year ago... how long did it take to heal.?
I have hospital appointment with urologist tomorrow... it looks like decision time.!
No problem, 100% healing was around 3 to 4 months, but resuming sex at 3 weeks.
My circ was August last year, so now at month 8.
Best of luck at your appointment. If you've decided on a circ make sure you put your case forward, as the docs do like to prolong treatment!
I had, and declined any further creams and pushed to be cut. I'm happy, it takes time to get used too, but be positive about it, and remember if you go down this route, it's a game changer and could free you from LS.
Keep us updated on the outcome of tomorrow's appointment.
Hi Rax, re my hospital appointment a few days ago... The Doctor advised I just continue with the Dermovate. He said i'd caught the LS in the early stages and I wouldn't need to be circ'd. He said "I wouldn't even worry about it". If only it were that easy..!
I'll continue the treatment for a while and see how things go. As long as it's not progressing I can take more time regarding getting circ'd.
Did you have any brown/beige discolouration on your glans..? Do you feel free from the LS now..? Hope you're well..
hi guys .. my comment about being exposed to air -- related to LS - was .. yes if the fscin .. sorry the CAY doesnt worc on my computer ... is rolled bac it may have an impact coz the inside of forscin is then not touching the head ... so if there was a reaction between these two layers of sin cells then i was thincing this would have an effect.
the other one was ... if the fscin was held bac .. lets say with stiches .... would this be any different from having a circ ... ie ... is the presumed benefit of a circ becoz it exposes the head to air or is there some other reason. i have never found anyone mention another reason btw and nor has the Q i have been discussed as far as i can see.
BTW ... a relatively good use for your little sisters hairband (those small soft elastic bands girls use on a ponytail) is to put it around the dic behind the head after the forscin is completely rolled bac. It will stop the glans from rolling bac ... so head is exposed ... and is easy and cheap and not grippy .. various sizes guys btw for the larger ones amongst us.
try it out ... pretty easy to do a day time covered and night time expoased (rolled bac) and could be useful for some guys .. esp if have some fungus related issues.. exposed theu a small hole in your blanet and the A/C on feels pretty good and curative.
Just dont let your little sister burst in and see what you have done LOL ...
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