Having phimosis isn't necessarily a problem. It only becomes a problem when it causes symptoms. This could be when phimosis is severe and leaves an opening the size of pinhole.
It's normal for babies and young boys to have a tight foreskin (phimosis), but adults can also be affected. See a GP if your or your child's foreskin is sore or swollen.
If you have phimosis, you are more likely to get penile cancer. If left untreated, it can lead to increased swelling, and in extreme cases, gangrene, and eventually the loss of your penis.
Phimosis usually goes away on its own within the first few years of a child's life. If it causes problems – for instance, when urinating (peeing) – it may need to be treated. Using a special cream is often enough. Surgery is only rarely needed.
Phimosis is normal for the uncircumcised infant/child and usually resolves around 5-7 years of age, however the child may be older.
If the phimosis is symptomatic, management is either medical or surgical. If asymptomatic, it can be left alone.
Moreover, phimosis causes the situation that the prepuce traps the penis. For this reason, after surgery, patients evaluate their penile as much bigger than before.
In most men, phimosis is not a serious problem and will not require treatment. However, it is not expected to improve on its own. As noted above, paraphimosis is sometimes a medical emergency, and the penis may become permanently damaged if you do not seek immediate medical attention.
Is phimosis a serious problem? In most cases, while it may be uncomfortable, the condition isn't life threatening. You, or your child, should see a doctor when symptoms become obvious, so if the foreskin is sore or swollen, or if there is blood, a thick discharge, or an unpleasant smell from under the foreskin.
If daily retraction is enough to loosen the foreskin, then pulling it back gently when bathing or urinating should be enough to keep the penis from any hygiene-related complications. Phimosis can be a serious and painful condition. However, it's treatable, and outcomes are usually very good.
This can take anywhere from four to eight weeks, so don't be concerned if your foreskin doesn't budge after a few days. You can also massage your foreskin while you're taking a hot bath or shower. The high water temperature helps loosen the skin and makes it easier to stretch.
Possible risks
It is usually well-tolerated and recovery is rapid. Although they are rare, complications can occur. These include bleeding, infection, narrowing of the urethral meatus, excessive or insufficient foreskin removal and preputial asymmetry, with possible need for further surgery.
Up to 10% of males will have physiologic phimosis at 3 years of age, and a larger percentage of children will have only partially retractible foreskins. One to five percent of males will have nonretractible foreskins by age 16 years.
Gently retracting the foreskin over time can help resolve phimosis and steroid creams can also be effective1 in softening the skin and making it easier to move back and forth.
While performing the stretching exercises may provide temporary relief from phimosis, it is important to note that you must not be overstretching or pulling the foreskin too aggressively. Avoid doing heavy exercises that cause excess jerking and may increase pain.
Phimosis is usually painless. However, a very tight foreskin may interfere with urination or sexual function. In addition, phimosis may make it difficult for a man to clean under the foreskin, which can make infection of the skin more likely.
Inflammation or an infection of the foreskin or the head of the penis (glans) may cause phimosis in boys or men. Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans. It's sometimes the result of poor hygiene or an infection of the foreskin. One of the infections that can lead to balanitis is called lichen sclerosus.
Yes. If you can't move the foreskin gently back into position, or if the problem starts to occur regularly, you should get medical advice. If the foreskin remains retracted for too long it can become extremely painful and may even cause permanent damage.
The most common clinical indication for circumcision was phimosis (75% of patients). Postoperative pain was scored as mild to moderate, including a mean of 2.4 on days 1 to 3, 2.1 on day 7 and 0.5 on day 21. Patients younger than 35 years (p = 0.025) and patients with wound infection (p = 0.036) had higher pain scores.
Phimosis of the prepuce can be treated without performing a circumcision. The most common and most effective treatment option is the local application ofcorticosteroid ointment.
Phimosis only affects the foreskin. It does not cause any problems with sperm or fertility issues. It does not affect tests and semen. So, women can get pregnant.
The most common symptoms of phimosis include: Bulging of the foreskin when urinating. Not able to fully retract the foreskin by age 3. In some boys this may take longer.
Washing away the oil with warm water is the best way to get rid of any dirt and dead cells. This is another effective and simple tip for you to treat phimosis treatment naturally. Massage with a herbal oil– Gently massaging the penis with a herbal oil also works quite effectively in allowing the foreskin to retract.
Rings are good of quality and little by little you will see progress. Just be patient with it while switching to bigger size. It's best if you want to treat phimosis with out any surgery. Before wearing these rings first try to loosen your foreskin by stretching with luke warm water as much as possible.
Phimosis is not an urgent condition unless there is associated pain, infection, ballooning of the foreskin when urinating or painful urination. Treatment may be required if discomfort persists.