P. WHELAN
Male dyspareunia due to short frenulum: an indication for adult circumcision
Br Med J 1977 Dec 24-31;2(6103):1633-4F.
"The existence of a short frenulum is noted in few urological text
books" Whelan cites numerous examples of male dyspareunia
from Masters and Johnson from their chapter on the subject; and then
notes: "They do not mention the problem of a short frenulum."
(Masters, W.H. and Johnson, V.E. Human Sexual Inadequacy, p 289.
London, J. and A Churchill Ltd. 1970.)
" ... a short frenulum that becomes painfully tight on erection ...
"
"Indications for circumcision in 48 patients 1975-76 and number
with pain on intercourse:
|
Hygiene |
Para-
phimosis |
Phimosis |
Phimosis
with
balanitis |
Balanitis
alone |
Short
frenulum |
No of cases
No with pain on intercourse |
3 |
2 |
25
10 |
6
3 |
2 |
10
10 |
"The normal frenulum is a mucous membrane on the ventral surface
of the glans penis, through which runs the frenular artery. A short
frenulum may apparently be congenital, when it is of normal thickness,
or secondary to recurrent infection or trauma, when it can be felt
in the flaccid state as a thickened band. When the penis is erect the
short frenulum restricts the prepuce and causes downward curvation
of the glans. During intercourse this means that there is an element
of chordee and the abnormal position of the glans penis causes pain.
Tension in the short frenulum itself is also painful and the band may
be torn and then heal by fibrosis, thus aggravating the situation."
"Short frenulum should be sought as a cause for dyspareunia
in patients who do not have phimosis or questionable hygiene and who
may erroneously be labelled as having psychosexual problems."