Symptoms
Phimosis does not always lead to symptoms. When it does, however, these may include redness, soreness, or swelling.
A tight foreskin may interfere with the normal passage of urine. In severe cases, this can prevent the person from emptying their bladder fully. Phimosis can lead to inflammation of the penis, called balanitis, or inflammation of both the glans and the foreskin, called balanoposthitis. These conditions both tend to be caused by poor hygiene.
- Soreness, itchiness, and odor
- Redness and swelling
- A buildup of thick fluid
- Pain when urinating
During sex, phimosis may cause pain, skin splitting, or a lack of sensation. Wearing a condom and using lubricant can make intercourse more comfortable.
Treatment
Treatment options for phimosis depend on the symptoms that occur. Most cases of balanitis are easily treated with good hygiene, creams, and ointments.
People are advised to clean the penis daily with lukewarm water and to dry it gently to improve hygiene. They should avoid using soap, bubble bath or shampoo on their genitals, and dry under the foreskin after urinating.
A doctor may recommend using a steroid cream or ointment to help with the irritation.
If balanoposthitis has been caused by a fungal or bacterial infection, an antifungal cream or a course of antibiotics may be needed.
In cases of severe or repeated balanitis or balanoposthitis, doctors may recommend treating the phimosis itself. They may prescribe steroid creams to help soften the foreskin and make it easier to retract, or surgery may be an option.
Doctors may suggest circumcision, in which all or part of the foreskin is removed, though the procedure carries the risk of bleeding and infection.
An operation to surgically release the areas where the foreskin gets stuck to the glans may also be possible. This will preserve the foreskin, but not necessarily prevent phimosis from occurring again.
Phimosis describes a condition in which the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the head or glans of the penis.
Most uncircumcised babies and toddlers will have phimosis, meaning the foreskin cannot be retracted. This is because the glans and the foreskin remain connected for the first few years of life. In adults, there are a number of risk factors and causes of phimosis, though it only tends to be a problem if it causes symptoms. In this article, we take a look at the causes of this condition, along with what can be used to treat it when symptoms occur.
Causes and risk factors
Phimosis only affects uncircumcised males and is more common in boys than men. Phimosis is normal in uncircumcised babies and toddlers, as the foreskin is still attached to the glans. It will start to detach naturally between 2 and 6 years of age, though it might happen later. It can happen at up to around 10 years old, in some boys. The foreskin can be pulled back behind the glans in about 50 percent of 1-year-old boys, and almost 90 percent of 3-year-olds. Phimosis will occur in less than 1 percent of teenagers between 16 and 18.
It is most likely to occur in older boys with:
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Foreskin infection
- Repeated rough handling of the foreskin
- Foreskin trauma
In adults, risk factors for phimosis include sexually transmitted infections. Phimosis may be caused by a skin condition, such as:
- Eczema: A long-term condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry, and cracked.
- Psoriasis: This skin condition leads to patches of skin becoming red, flaky, and crusty.
- Lichen planus: An itchy rash that can affect different areas of the body. It is not contagious.
- Lichen sclerosus: This condition causes scarring on the foreskin that can lead to phimosis. It may be caused by a urinary irritation.
