Patient's question:
When taking a shower at night, I noticed a white ring around the head of my penis, and it seemed a bit wrinkled and red. Recently, I also found that I wasn't urinating smoothly. After checking at the hospital, they said it was balanitis. Please ask: Why does balanitis occur?Doctor's answer:
Phimosis and balanitis are common urological conditions, which may lead to male infertility and other complications. Active measures should be taken to treat them.Phimosis and balanitis are primarily caused by infectious and non-infectious factors. Infectious factors are often due to unsafe sexual practices, leading to infections such as Candida, Trichomonas, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Gonorrhea. Both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other pathogens can trigger balanitis and phimosis.
Non-infectious factors are usually related to excessive foreskin, inadequate hygiene, and the accumulation of smegma—the dirty material between the foreskin and glans. If not cleaned regularly, it can irritate the local foreskin and mucosa, causing inflammation.