Healing a cut on the frenulum

May 4, 2007 8:12 AM

Need some help regarding a men's issue, down there with Little Anonymous.

So the gal and I were getting it on a couple of nights ago. A minor accident seems to have happened. I think her nail nicked my willy's frenulum a bit. There appears to be a wee cut in the middle, perhaps a milimeter across. It's red but not bleeding. But it hurts (the "yowww" pain kind) when I pull my foreskin back quickly. Needless to say, spanking the monkey isn't pleasant either.

Googling for similar problems shows medical advice saying that it should heal by itself in a couple of weeks, but that I should stay away from intercourse.

Any advice you folks have to help it heal faster so I can get to business as usual? Is it problematic enough to visit the doc?

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (17 answers total)

Keep it very clean, avoid agitating it via intercourse or otherwise, and if it doesn't appear to be healing after a few days, definitely see a doc.

It'll probably go away on its own, but it's important to keep very clean, as with any cut/wound.
posted by twiggy at 8:20 AM on May 4, 2007

I'm not a doctor, but since it's an external injury, you might consider applying a bit of neosporin before bed time and in the morning. That usually speeds up the healing process.
posted by redarmycomrade at 8:25 AM on May 4, 2007

agreeing with above: some neosporin, cleaning and time. I guess if it get's a minor infection (red and irritated) you might go to the doc. It'll heal eventually. Sounds painful.
posted by taliaferro at 8:32 AM on May 4, 2007

A little neosporin and a lot of neglect.
posted by DU at 8:35 AM on May 4, 2007 [2 favorites]

KEEP IT CLEAN. It tends to be dark and moist down there, which is a bonanza for all sorts of grodiness.
posted by mkultra at 8:39 AM on May 4, 2007

Neosporin! (and Booboo kisses on a raincheck.)
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 8:43 AM on May 4, 2007

Having had a similar thing happen, keep it clean and away from any potential irritants (harsh soaps / shower gels). A nightly dab of an antiseptic ointment also helps the healing process.

Mine took about 2 weeks to be fully healed. Do NOT be tempted to give the ol' feller a 'test run' after a week, even if it looks good to go. You really need to be absolutely sure it is ready otherwise it is back to square one (yup, done that too).
posted by mooders at 8:44 AM on May 4, 2007

It'll heal fine. No sex, two weeks!
posted by Succa at 8:50 AM on May 4, 2007

nth neosporin. It's a miracle drug.
posted by wsg at 9:19 AM on May 4, 2007

consider this a great opportunity to practice your oral sex technique for two weeks.
posted by thinkingwoman at 9:43 AM on May 4, 2007 [3 favorites]

consider this a great opportunity to practice your oral sex technique for two weeks.
posted by thinkingwoman

Ha. I love it.
posted by yeti at 10:05 AM on May 4, 2007

once, many moons ago, when i was a younger lad - i had my frenulum pierced. with a large needle. intentionally.

wash with antibacterial soap in the shower, and perform a salt water rinse nightly or whenever it's feeling irritated. you'll be fine in a few weeks.

i would advise against neosporin - covering the affected area with ointment prevents it from breathing. just keep it clean.
posted by gnutron at 10:07 AM on May 4, 2007

Snapped your banjo string, eh? My experience suggests no vigorous washing, strumming, or other activity for around a fortnight, I'm afraid.
posted by punilux at 12:34 PM on May 4, 2007

I must disagree with gnutron. Neosporin works because it keeps the wound from drying out. A wound takes longer to heal if it's dry. Keep a wound moist and it heals quicker. There's been a discussion here at askmefi before on this topic.
posted by wsg at 12:38 PM on May 4, 2007

previously
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:52 PM on May 4, 2007

Wear boxers and/or go freestyle.
posted by loiseau at 3:09 AM on May 5, 2007

As the anon poster in the thread LobersterMitten linked, I didn't wait two weeks before having sex again, in fact the night it happened I just put another condom on and continued on with things that night... it bled a bunch though, and I am not sure everyone is cool with blood and sex, so YMMV in that regard.

Daily showers and loose fitting clothes. For the first few days I did put a bandaid on so I didn't get blood spots on my underpants. I don't recall using polysporin or anything after the first couple of days.
posted by glip at 4:55 AM on May 5, 2007