Phimosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What is Phimosis?

Phimosis is a health condition in which the foreskin is not retracted or pulled back from around the tip of the penis. It is quite common to come across a tight foreskin in the baby boys who have not been circumcised. However, this problem tends to stop as the boy reaches the age of 3 years. 

Phimosis might occur naturally or could be the result of scarring. The young boys having Phimosis might not need treatment unless the health condition would make it difficult to urinate properly or lead to some other health symptoms. However, as the boys grow up and the condition persists, then the Phimosis symptoms might require treatment. 

How does Phimosis Occur?

Phimosis might occur naturally. It is mostly unclear why the condition occurs in some boys and not others. The Phimosis condition could also happen when the foreskin of the penis has been retracted forcibly before the skin is ready properly. This could lead to damaging the delicate layer of the skin and could cause scarring. As such, it becomes more difficult for retracting the foreskin later on in life. 

Some kind of infection or inflammation on the head (glans) or foreskin of the penis might also be the cause of the condition Phimosis in boys & men. A condition referred to as “Balanitis” is described as the inflammation of the head of the penis (glans). It could sometimes be the result of poor hygiene or some kind of infection of the foreskin of the penis. 

One of the major infections that could result in the development of the condition Balanitis is referred to as “lichen sclerosus” – a skin condition that could be triggered by some abnormality in the immune response or some hormonal imbalance. The symptoms in this type of infection might include patches or white spots on the foreskin of the penis. The skin might also become itchy and could get easily torn.

Who is Prone to Phimosis?

There is no specific reason why boys or men develop the condition Phimosis. Infants below the age of 3 years might have similar conditions that might disappear with age. 

What are the Symptoms of Phimosis? How is Phimosis Diagnosed?

The major Phimosis symptoms that could help in identifying this condition include the inability to retract the foreskin of the penis by the age of 3 years. The foreskin of the penis tends to loosen over the passage of time. However, the overall loosening process of the skin might take longer in some boys. As the boys reach the age of 17 years, the boy should be able to retract the foreskin easily. Failure to do so might indicate the presence of Phimosis symptoms. 

Another major Phimosis symptom includes the swelling or inflammation of the foreskin of the penis during urination. 

Diagnosis

In most cases, the conditions or symptoms related to Phimosis go unnoticed by young men and boys. If you are younger than 17 years of age, you can wait for the symptoms of the condition to resolve on their own. However, if the conditions related to Phimosis are interfering with day-to-day activities like urination or erections, or if there are additional symptoms, then it is high time that you must see a doctor. 

Frequent infections on the foreskin or the glans of the penis must be evaluated by the doctor physically. Some of the common signs that the doctor might inquire about include pain, itching, swelling, changes in the color of the foreskin or glans, and the presence of some spots or rashes. 

What are the Complications of Phimosis?

Though most of the cases of Phimosis go unnoticed, the condition might sometimes interfere with normal activities including:

• Painful or difficulty in urinating
• Difficult erections
• Swelling or inflammation of the foreskin

What is the Treatment for Phimosis?

A proper physical examination or the complete review of the given condition is enough towards diagnosing Phimosis or some underlying condition like Balanitis. 

The treatment of Balanitis or another type of infection would usually commence with the swab of the foreskin to be studied in a laboratory. If there is some bacterial infection, then you might be suggested antibiotics for the same. At the same time, fungal infections would require antibiotic ointments. 

If there is no infection involved with the symptoms of Phimosis, then there are other treatment options as suggested by the doctors. As per the severity of the given condition, regular gentle retraction of the foreskin might be sufficient towards treating the condition. In some cases, the application of some topical steroid ointment might also help in softening the foreskin and making retraction easier. 

In some typical cases, circumcision or some similar surgical procedure might be suggested if necessary. 

Home Remedies for Phimosis

• Practice Phimosis-stretching exercises 
• Apply Chamomile cream
• Ayurvedic ointments might also help

Did You Know?

• Phimosis is quite uncommon in grown-up men
• Phimosis usually gets resolved after the age of 17 years
• Phimosis could be treated non-surgically

Related Links

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