B

balanitis INFLAMMATION of the glans, the tip of
the PENIS, usually the consequence of a bacterial or
fungal (yeast) INFECTION. Balanitis is more likely to
occur in uncircumcised men, as the foreskin can
provide the moist, warm environment that sup-
ports the growth of pathogens. Diligent PERSONAL
HYGIENEis especially important in uncircumcised
men to keep the area beneath the foreskin clean
and dry to prevent irritation and infection. The
diagnostic path may include laboratory culture of
a sample swabbed from the inflamed area to
determine the cause of the infection, with appro-
priate ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONSor ANTIFUNGAL MEDICA-
TIONSto treat the infection. Medications may be
oral (taken by MOUTH), topical (applied to the
penis), or both.
Most balanitis clears with treatment and
hygienic measures. A potentially serious complica-
tion is PHIMOSIS, in which the foreskin forms adhe-
sions to the glans and becomes unretractable.
Phimosis further complicates balanitis and may
require CIRCUMCISION(surgical removal of the fore-
skin).
See also BACTERIA; CANDIDIASIS; CHLAMYDIA; FUN-
GUS; HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS(HPV); PATHOGEN; SEXU-
ALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE(STD) PREVENTION.

Bartholin’s cyst A fluid-filled enlargement of a
Bartholin’s gland. There are two Bartholin’s
glands, one on each side of the entrance to the
VAGINA. Normally undetectable, the Bartholin’s
glands produce secretions that lubricate the vagi-
nal opening. A cyst may form when the duct that
allows the secretions to drain from the gland
becomes blocked (occluded). The secretions con-
tinue to accumulate but have no exit, causing the
gland to gradually enlarge. The enlargement may
become quite large before a woman can detect it,

and often causes no symptoms until its size causes

discomfort.

The gynecologist can diagnose a Bartholin’s cyst

on the basis of its appearance. Treatment is to

drain the cyst, after which the gland returns to

normal function. The gynecologist may place a

tiny tube temporarily into the cyst to allow the

accumulated fluid to drain, or may make a small

incision to release the fluid, then suture the inci-

sion open to maintain drainage. These procedures

are usually performed in the gynecologist’s office

with local ANESTHESIAto first numb the area. Occa-

sionally an INFECTIONdevelops within a Bartholin’s

cyst, which requires a course of treatment with

ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS.

See also VAGINITIS.

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) A non-

cancerous enlargement, also called benign prostatic

hypertrophy, of a man’s PROSTATE GLAND. BPH is

common in men over age 60 and is a condition of

aging. Though BPH is not cancer, some men who

have BPH do develop PROSTATE CANCER. Researchers

do not know what causes BPH though believe the

changes in HORMONElevels and ratios that naturally

occur with aging probably are key.

BPH develops when the number of cells in the

prostate gland increases, causing the gland to

grow. The prostate gland encircles the URETHRAlike

a cuff at the neck of the BLADDER. BPH typically

constricts the urethra, either by compressing it

from the outside or blocking it from the inside if

prostate cells invade the urethral walls. The result-

ing occlusion interferes with URINATION.

Symptoms and Diagnostic Path

The symptoms of BPH develop gradually over time

and may include

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