Hey everyone,

I’m a 24-year-old male, uncircumcised, and I’ve been struggling with balanitis for over two years. I’m reaching out here in the hopes of finding some guidance or advice because this condition has significantly impacted my mental health, career, and overall well-being.

Background

• Never had sexual activity, but I’ve still undergone a full STD panel, and everything came back negative.
• It all started with small red bumps on the glans (penis head) and swelling/redness around the meatus (urinary opening).
• I initially experienced pain after urination, which felt like pins in my urethra. However, this pain is no longer an issue.
• I am not diabetic (tested and confirmed), but I have noticed that sugar intake seems to aggravate my condition.
• When I consume sugar, the condition often worsens, and if I eat excessive amounts (like cakes), the bumps can appear and disappear within a day.
• Currently, I avoid sugar as much as possible, limiting consumption to about twice a week.
• I suspect this issue might also be linked to washing the area with soap. On one occasion in the past, after using soap, I experienced swelling in the meatus without any other symptoms. However, it subsided on its own within a day.

My Treatment Journey

1. Urologists:
   • Initially, I consulted 5–6 urologists. They prescribed various antifungal and antibacterial medications, along with topical ointments.
   • Unfortunately, none of this provided permanent relief, and I spent about a year trying different treatments with no lasting results.
2. Dermatologist:
   • I then saw a dermatologist who identified the issue as balanitis. They prescribed itraconazole tablets and Nadifloxacin 1% cream.
   • This treatment cleared up the red bumps within a week, and I continued for three weeks.
   • However, the symptoms kept returning every 2–3 months. Each time, I repeated the same course of treatment.
3. Current Situation:
   • My dermatologist advised me to keep the area dry, which has helped significantly. I now wash and dry the area daily, and while the bumps still appear occasionally, they’re much more manageable.
   • However, the swelling and redness of the meatus persist, and I can’t seem to find a permanent solution for this specific issue.

This ongoing condition has been extremely frustrating and depressing. I can’t focus on my work, my health is deteriorating, and I feel stuck without a clear path forward.

My Ask

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation or can offer advice on what might help? Are there additional tests or specialists I should consider seeing?

Any insights or suggestions are deeply appreciated. Thank you in advance!