Sometimes, an uncircumcised man or boy may find that it is difficult to pull back the foreskin of their penis. This is due to a medical condition called phimosis.

Phimosis occurs when a man’s foreskin is overly tight and cannot be retracted, which can cause soreness, swelling, bleeding, pain with urination, and pain with erections or sexual activity. It may also cause the penis to look like it has rings around the tip.

While it is normal for infants and young boys to have a tight foreskin, it usually gets looser as the child develops. Between the ages of two and six years old, the foreskin typically separates from the head of the penis. However, sometimes this separation does not occur. Therefore, phimosis is a condition that can be either congenital (present since birth) or acquired (developed later in life).

Acquired phimosis can be caused by infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), poor hygiene, injuries, scar tissue, or skin conditions that affect the penis. It is important for adult men to wash the penis regularly with warm water and unscented soap, gently pulling back the foreskin while doing so and then drying the head and foreskin of the penis to help prevent hygiene-related phimosis. (One should not attempt to pull back the foreskin of a baby or young boy while washing the penis as it may not have separated from the head of the penis yet).

If you have phimosis and it is causing problems, talk with your health care provider about treatment options. With mild cases of phimosis, applying a steroid cream to the skin of the penis may be able to help loosen the foreskin enough to relieve symptoms.

In more serious cases, it may be necessary to have surgery to correct phimosis. Male circumcision (or the surgical removal of the foreskin) is often recommended for serious cases of phimosis. However, if you have phimosis and you do not want to be circumcised, you can talk to your doctor about creating a small cut in the foreskin that allows you to retract it more easily. This may be an effective solution for some individuals.

Importantly, one should know the difference between phimosis and paraphimosis. Paraphimosis occurs when the foreskin becomes stuck behind the corona (flared tip) of the penis and cannot be pulled back to cover the head of the penis. If this happens, seek medical attention as soon as possible because paraphimosis can restrict blood flow to the penis and permanently damage it.

Whether or not you have phimosis, it is a good idea to take care of your penis. Practicing safe sex with condoms to avoid infections and keeping the penis clean by washing it regularly are two good ways to do so.

References:

• Cleveland Clinic. (2021, October 13). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22065-phimosis
  
  
• (2022, April 11). Tight foreskin (phimosis). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/phimosis/