VN
Latest March 7 2006, 11:55 AM

After a long wait I have visited the NHS dermatologist who has also confirmed BXO and that his recommendation is to get a circ and he is now referring me back to the urologist. So there is a chance that stretching, creams etc may not work in all cases and a circ is the way to go.

Thanks anyway guys


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The latest approach to treating BXO is through the use of preparations, not surgery. Unfortunately, those resorting to surgery are sometimes quite disappointed when the problem advances to the glans. In treating with medicine, you can get the situation under control.

Let's wait for Paul's advice on what preparation you should be seeking.

(Copied over from original thread.)

Hello VN.

Well, given that you must by now have been using the Clobetasol (Dermovate®) ointment in combination with an antifungal - either clotrimazole or preferably, intermittent oral fluconazole (Diflucan®) - on the tight part of your foreskin for some three months or so now and seen no response, then I daresay you could reasonably conclude that circumcision is the last resort.

We shall be most interested to see whether you share Damian's enthusiasm for the results.

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Rood has stressed the "inappropriateness" of diagnosing LSA without a biopsy. I have not pressed the point, as whilst technically correct, dermatologists do warn that histopathological diagnoses of skin biopsy specimens are often limited and helpful only to confirm "what you want to see".

In respect of LSA this means they often show some nondescript inflammation that "tends to confirm" the diagnosis - if that is what is clinically suggested. In other words, if the dermatologist thinks it is LSA, then the biopsy either (usually) says "Yes, it looks like LSA" or perhaps says instead "actually, it's perfectly normal". So it may not matter that much whether a biopsy is performed or not - what matters is how it responds to correct treatment.

Has your dermatologist been able to access the condition of your inner foreskin and glans penis? Even in cases where lichen sclerosus is initially confined to the foreskin, the disease often returns a year or two after circumcision to affect the glans penis. If your dermatologist has not explained these facts, have him do the research for you. Circumcision can only be a stop-gap solution to a long-term problem, and you need to be prepared for what may lie ahead.

Rood

In fact, a man in England named Andy is experiencing this problem right now, just a few months after submitted to surgery. He's desperately seeking help on another website right now.