If you have torn the skin that joins your foreskin to the tip of your penis, you should avoid sexual activity until the tear has healed.

In most cases, the tear will get better without treatment.

Once it has healed, you can try using a lubricant during sex to prevent the problem from happening again.

If it does not heal, go to a GP or local sexual health clinic.

Why has it torn?

The small tag of skin on the underside of your penis, between your foreskin and the shaft of your penis, is called the frenulum or banjo string.

The frenulum is sometimes tight and can tear, usually during sex.

Sometimes, the tear may not heal properly and your penis may become torn again in the same place.

What if it keeps happening?

If your penis keeps getting torn, you may need an operation called a frenuloplasty to lengthen the frenulum.

This should make having sex more comfortable and reduce the risk of the frenulum tearing again.

You're advised to not have sex for 6 weeks after the operation.

Further information

• Why is my penis smelly and sore?
• What is this lump on my penis?
• Tight foreskin
• Sexual health
• Penis health