Dear doctor;

During sexual intercourse with my girlfriend the skin that attaches my foreskin to my penis tore and bled. Since then I have had only slight irritation when the foreskin has been pulled back or touched. Is this a problem that needs treatment or will it heal naturally?

Claude, 21.

Dear Claude,

The penis is more susceptible to injury during erection because it remains stiff in that state. There can even be tearing of the spongy tissue beneath the penis. These injuries can occur when the penis is being inserted due to rub with external surface of vagina or it may slip out due to rapid movement and hurt itself.  The kind of injury described by you seems minor. It shall heal by itself as penis is a highly vascular structure. Rich blood supply aids in healing. Only thing needed is avoid intercourse till it is healed. Otherwise the irritation and tear can increase. Intercourse also carries risk of infection which can lead to abscess formation which will be more troublesome.