Balanitis: Inflammation of the Penis Head
Balanitis is inflammation of the glans (head) of the penis, more common in uncircumcised men, with a range of possible causes — some infectious, some not, and not all of them sexually transmitted.
Common causes
A yeast overgrowth (often from contact with a partner's active yeast infection, or unrelated to any partner at all) is one of the most common causes, causing redness, itching, and sometimes a thick discharge under the foreskin. Poor hygiene, particularly difficulty fully cleaning under the foreskin, can also contribute. Irritation from soap, spermicide, or latex can cause a similar presentation without any infection involved at all.
When it's STD-related
Certain STDs, including herpes and some cases of chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause balanitis-like symptoms as part of a broader infection. This is part of why persistent or recurring balanitis that doesn't respond to basic hygiene and antifungal treatment is worth an STD test — to rule out an infectious cause that needs different treatment than a simple yeast-related case.
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