Genital Piercings: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications for Urologists

Complications of Genital Piercings

“…are the most common following piercing. Most infections caused by body piercing are mild, localized and easily treated with topical antibacterial ointment, frequent cleansing and warm compresses with no need to remove the piercing [5,19]. However, the risk of cellulitis, carbuncles, impetigo, abscesses, post -streptococcal glomerulonephritis, endocarditis, as well as bacteremia and toxic shock syndrome still remains [1][2][3]19,20].…”

“…However, an association between genital piercing and molluscum contagiosum has been reported, as well as an association between genital piercing and recurrent condyloma accuminatum caused by Human Papilloma Virus [2,6,19,20]. Penile edema (suspected to be caused by N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis ), prostatitis, testicular infection, and Fournier's gangrene have all been reported in association with genital piercing, and squamous cell carcinoma has been diagnosed at the site of a Prince Albert's ring piercing [3,5,25]. The mechanisms postulated as modes of transmission include trauma, chafing, and/or fistulas, caused by genital piercings allowing local invasion of microorganisms [24].…”

“…Complications of genital piercings as pertaining to the sexual partner include condoms being damaged by protruding jewelry during intercourse, swallowed piercings causing choking and aspiration, trapping of piercings between the partner's teeth, teeth-chipping, postcoital bleeding, and loss of jewelry [2,5,8,19,20].…”

“…The Victorian era had Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, who allegedly wore a penile ring to secure his genitals to the right or left leg of the extremely tight pants he wore, as was the fashion of that period. Currently, the "Prince Albert" is reported to be the most popular style of penile ring [2,[4][5][6].…”

Vaseline injection, an inadequate method for penile augmentation

“…The Ampallang piercing drills through the glands and the urethra across, while the Apadravya does it lengthwise touching the urethra, as well. The less popular Frenum is put in the frenulum, while the Dyode drills through the coronaries (Nelius et al, 2011, Anderson et al, 2003. Objects used in modern piercing are made of surgical steel or titanium.…”