Patient's question:
I have always had phimosis with an exposed glans, but recently I've noticed some redness, a bit of pus discharge with a smell, and I'm very upset. So I went to the hospital, and they said there's inflammation of the foreskin and glans. However, because it's a sensitive area, I'm afraid of side effects and didn't fully understand the treatment they recommended.Doctor's answer:
Traditional Chinese Medicine often categorizes this condition into three types: the toxic-fire stagnation type, the damp-heat producing insect type, and the liver-kidney yin deficiency type. Different treatments are applied based on the clinical manifestations.(1) Toxic-fire stagnation type: Characterized by redness and swelling of the foreskin and glans, with erythema, papules, vesicles, or purulent discharge, accompanied by pain, difficulty urinating, and mouth or tongue ulcers, as well as irritability and restlessness. This is due to the stagnation of toxic-fire that cannot be expelled. Treatment should focus on clearing heat, draining fire, and expelling toxicity. A commonly used formula is modified Daochi Dan:
- Coptis chinensis 10g
- Scutellaria baicalensis 10g
- Gardenia fruit 10g
- Euonymus alatus 10g
- Rehmannia glutinosa 10g
- Bambusoideae 10g
- Alisma orientale 10g
- Rheum palmatum 6g
- Licorice 10g
- Decoction: Boil the herbs in water, take one dose daily.
(2) Damp-heat producing insect type: Characterized by redness of the glans, vesicles, or erosion, and penile pain. Careful laboratory examination reveals white discharge.