ongoing balanitis on and off for 2 years

[Wallman555]

it all started in sept 2022. I believe I got a yeast infection from my girlfriend. The first time it caused phimosis for a couple days (phimosis has only happened the very first time), red sore spots, discharge, redness etc. that seemed to clear with anti fungal. It would then reoccur monthly from sept 2022 until Dec 2023. From December 2023 to April 2024 things were good, clean no problems. From April 2024. I have had redness all over the glans, stickiness on glans and foreskin, burning sensations, urethra irritation, clear discharge, extremely dry shiny glans and the rim of my corona is purple. I have tried anti fungal, oral and topical. I’ve tried topical anti bacterial. I have tried coconut oil, Vaseline, aquaphor, anti fungal/anti bacterial compound cream, hydrocortisone 1%. Nothing seems to help. Right now I am currently just leaving it alone until I figure it out and hopefully get in to see a new derm. My urologist didn’t seem the think anything suspicious such as bxo but at this point what else could it be. I’m so desperate for an answer as this feels like it’s been controlling me for years. I am a 26 year old uncircumcised male

[Norwich1 Moderator]

Have you arranged an appointment with a dermatologist yet. That needs to happen asap. I struggle to understand why your urologist has not done any diagnostic testing.

[Wallman555 in reply to Norwich1]

I have had blood work diabetes, auto immune, candida, I’ve had stool tests, swabs. I am currently waiting to see a derm. It’s a struggle in Canada. Do you recommend any specific tests?

[Wallman555 in reply to Norwich1]

The first derm I visited was useless. “It’s balanitis, go get snipped.” Hardly looked at me or my area of concern and was out within 5 minutes

[Balanitisboy]

hey dude.

I had a very similar issue as you, and I’m also in Canada. The healthcare system here is a joke and no one seems to care. So I really feel for you.

I had what I thought was Balanitis, several doctors told me it was Balanitis. I had a rash on my glans, and it would burn often. Something to note is I had zero discharge or any other symptom associated with balanitis so it was very confusing to me. No creams worked at all, I tried many of the same treatments that you have and had zero results with anything.

So after 1 year of finding zero solution I setup my appointment to get circumcised. There was a 4 month window from setting the appointment to having the actual operation done and in that time I had a swab test done (amazingly, not one of the doctors or urologists I saw told me to get one, it was only when I saw a dermatologist that it came up) the swab test came back as negative for any kind of bacteria or fungal anything. I had the choice to either cancel the circumcision because maybe it wouldn’t achieve anything, or continue ahead with the circumcision and hope for the best.

So I went through with the operation and it turns out the circumcision achieved nothing much. I still have the same redness and slight burning that I always had.

Your symptoms seem like they are very much associated with Balanitis so perhaps circumcision is actually going to help.

The reason I am sharing this with you is because I understand how scary and defeating it is to have an issue that seems to have no easy solution, it’s confidence killing. And the healthcare system here doesn’t help.

Im 15 months past the procedure and I am quite happy with the result, my gf too.

You’ve got this, if you ever want to share it talk send me a message I totally get how rough it can be.

[Wallman555 in reply to Balanitisboy]

Thinking about biopsy before circumcision

[Karlos_ in reply to Balanitisboy]

In many problems on the penis, moisture plays a role. If circumcision leaves a moist area somewhere, the problem will not be solved. A therapeutic circumcision is when the foreskin is cut back a lot, the sulcus is open and dry, and the inner sheet of the foreskin is shortened as much as possible. Incomplete circumcisions do not cure.

[Astros0214 in reply to Karlos_]

I had same issue Balanitis.For some reason got a incomplete circumcision head sticks out a bit Not fully done.And gets dry at times

[mohitshukla]

Hello friend as per my view you need to check your Hba1c and urine culture for immidiate results use luke warm water no soap and other cosmetic lube,Use Mupirocin ointment only

Also can take etraconazole 200 OD

[Wallman555 in reply to mohitshukla]

have had both tested

[Thomas67]

I had similar problems, but it turned out that I was diabetic. I’m now on insulin injections and have had no problems since. I be presume you’ve had a glucose level done!

[Wallman555 in reply to Thomas67]

oh yes. About 4 times lol

[blackman79]

I think circumcision is the best solution for you.