penis head discoloration and tearing of foreskin

[oakman21]

I am a fifty year old male in pretty good health except that I have type two diabetes.  I was diagnosed with the condition about three years ago.
About five years ago I noticed one lobe of the underside of my penis head was greyish in color but there was no loss of sensitivity or discomfort, last year the other lobe of the underside of my penis began losing normal pink tone and is now the same greyish color.  Also about that time I experienced a tearing of foreskin (I am circumsized) where it attaches at the base of my penis head on the underside, during some sexual intercourse sessions.  Now the tearing seems to occur nearly every time my wife and I have sex.  I use K Y jelly which helps but vigorous or prolonged thrusting seems to cause the tear to occur.  It heals in a few days but seems to remain sensitive, possibly since I continue to re-injure it. Also the lobes of my penis head seem more sensitive but that could be from the foreskin injury. One concern I have is that there might be some connection between the type two diabetes and my penis issues.  I have no problems with erectile dysfunction at this point and have no nerve damage to any other parts of my body.  Do you think the two issues of tearing and discoloration are connected in any way?  What could be the cause of the discoloration?  I am concerned that it might be lack of blood flow, although I have no other circulatory issues.  Why is my foreskin tearing?  I am at a loss and afraid of the worst. HELP!!!

[dj3935]

hey i have diabetes II and i notice that when my sugar has been out of control for a couple of weeks that i get tears in the skin of my penis also. however they normally are vertical with the shaft and not horizontal and go all the way around my penis just below the head then i also get horizotal tears right at the head during sex. once my sugar is back under control for a week or two they go away. so dont let any doctor tell you they are not related to diabetes. i have talked to many men with diabetes and alot of them have this problem even though our doctors tell us it's not the diabetes.

[kal45]

I am 42 w/m and have tearing also under the head of the penis. I didnt know if this happens to men as they get older or what is the cause. I had irriatation once after sex and then again after a hand job. Is this something I need to see a doctor about? The skin clears up after a few days without activity.

[keke333]

A related discussion, husband's health was started.

[lilak]

hi i'm 19 anh have a white discoloration on the tip of my penis head i was wonder if u could tell me wat it would be and if it it bad or anything i could do bout it

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Tearing and trauma can and do cause discoloration.  This has nothing to do with nerve damage or diabetes.  

I am not sure why your skin is tearing.  Obviously, lubrication is best, but that doesn't seem to be helping.  I think you ought to consult either a dermatologist or urologist (or both) about this.  But again, I see no relationship of what you have with diabetes and no particular significance to the grayish discoloration.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff