[ ARC forum 2 ]

LSA - pros and cons.

Written by Paul B. at 19 Oct 2002 14:05:15:

As an answer to: BXO written by ned at 19 Oct 2002 02:36:27:

> I have just been told by a urologist that I have BXO, he has gave me no info and has scheduled me for an urgent circumcision.

I am imitating Jim in saying this, I am sure, but it is so apt I just have to say it: Urgent you say? Urgent? Do you mean to say that he has a payment impending on his Lexus?

And these other guys are doing the job so well, I hardly need to comment. What the heck! I shall try and tie up a few loose ends. You appear to have located the thread yourself, so I don't even need to link it!

You seem to be wrongly focussed on hygiene. Actually, urine (which is sterile unless you have a bladder or kidney infection, but is something that bacteria certainly love as a culture medium) will wash any debris from under your foreskin quite effectively, if it does not retract. You should probably not use cotton buds or soap, and there is some slight chance soap and irritation may be the culprit in the first place.

> the urologist say's it's the only option, due to the length of time and the state my penis is in.

Or more likely, his bank balance? If it was your eyelid, or tongue, would the advice be the same?

BXO (repudiated - penile LSA is apparently the preferred term) cannot be diagnosed without a biopsy (bite out of the affected area, sent to a specialist dermatological histopathologist). No biopsy - you are being conned. And of course, the treatment is steroids in one form or another, or possibly other alternatives - I can't validate it but for all I know the Thuja oil might be beneficial.

> Also being a diabetic doesn't help.

No it doesn't. In fact, it substantially increases the risk of "Thrush" ("Monilia"; Candida), chronic infestation with which is much more likely to be a cause of phimosis than LSA ("BXO"). This would require prolonged treatment, preferably with an oral agent such as ketoconazole or fluconazole (Diflucan).

> How could I have contracted BXO, I honestly feel dirty.

Same way you contracted diabetes, in all probability.

> Have I passed this on to my wife, I'm really worried about this.

It's exactly as probable as passing your diabetes on to her.

> My young daughter loves to wash my hair while I'm in the bath, can I pass it onto her or to any of my children.

Almost the same comment applies. It's almost exactly as probable as passing your diabetes on to her/ them.

> As I went to my GP ... He said I had thrush.

He may still be correct - it can be very tedious to treat in diabetics. As a consequence, there is indeed some argument to circumcision for uncontrolled diabetics as a management option. Loss of sexual function is already amongst the risks for diabetics, as you no doubt know.

> One of the main reasons I'm asking these questions, some of the info on the net is scaring the life out off me,

It's intended to. Such is commercial media.


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