Editing Glans penis (section)

== Clinical significance ==
The [[epithelium]] of the glans penis consists of [[mucosal]] tissue. Birley ''et al.'' report that excessive washing with soap may dry the mucous membrane which covers the glans penis and cause non-specific [[dermatitis]]. The condition is described as an inflammation of the skin, often caused by an irritating substance or a [[Allergic contact dermatitis|contact allergy]]. Sensitivity to chemicals in certain products can cause an allergic reaction, including irritation, [[itch]]ing and [[rash]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact Dermatitis: Irritants, Allergies, Symptoms & Treatment |url=https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6173-contact-dermatitis |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=Cleveland Clinic |archive-date=2022-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925152126/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6173-contact-dermatitis |url-status=live }}</ref>

Inflammation of the glans penis is known as [[balanitis]]. It is a treatable condition that occurs in about 3–11% of males (up to 35% of diabetic males). Edwards reported that it is generally more common in males who have poor [[hygiene]] habits or have not been circumcised. It has many causes, including irritation or infection with a wide variety of [[pathogen]]s. Symptoms of balanitis may appear suddenly or develop gradually. They might include pain, irritation, redness or red patches on the glans penis. Careful identification of the cause with the aid of patient history, physical [[Male genital examination|examination]], swabs and cultures, and biopsy are essential in order to determine the proper treatment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Balanitis: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Prevention & Relief |url=https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21186-balanitis |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=Cleveland Clinic |archive-date=2022-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925152127/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21186-balanitis |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[external urethral orifice (male)|meatus]] (opening) of the urethra located at the tip of the glans might become subject to [[meatal stenosis]], a condition mostly seen as a late complication of circumcision. It occurs in about 2–20% of circumcised boys<ref name="CPS">{{cite journal |vauthors=Sorokan SK, Finlay JC, Jefferies AL |date=2015 |journal=Paediatrics & Child Health |title=Newborn male circumcision |volume=20 |issue=6 |pages=311–320 |doi=10.1093/pch/20.6.311 |pmid=26435672 |pmc=4578472 |url=http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/circumcision |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-date=30 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030233347/https://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/circumcision |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |vauthors=Koenig JF |date=22 September 2016 |website=EMedicine |title=Meatal stenosis |url=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1016016-overview |access-date=2 October 2017 |archive-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912005838/http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1016016-overview |url-status=live }}</ref> and it is rarely seen in uncircumcised men.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Meatal Stenosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment - Urology Care Foundation |url=https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/m/meatal-stenosis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925152128/https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/m/meatal-stenosis |archive-date=2022-09-25 |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=urologyhealth.org}}</ref> It is characterized by a narrowing of the meatus, which might cause sudden or often urges to urinate and burning during the process.<ref name=":4"/>

For some individuals who experience difficulty in achieving full glanular engorgement of glans penis, they may be diagnosed with soft glans syndrome ([[glans insufficiency syndrome]]). It is often undiagnosed in the general population due to the lack of a standardized nomenclature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Glans Insufficiency Syndrome {{!}} CSM |url=https://www.sexualmedicinehyd.com/glans-insufficiency-syndrome/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Soft Glans / Cold Glans / Glans Insufficiency Syndrome |url=https://www.sdsm.info/male-issues/soft-glans-cold-glans-glans-insufficiency-syndrome |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=www.sdsm.info}}</ref>