Male circumcision is rarely discussed, leading to insufficient information about foreskin conditions. This causes many conditions to go unnoticed, worsening one's health. One such condition is phimosis, where the foreskin is too tight to retract. Sometimes, it can fold back when the penis is relaxed but not when erect. This tightness causes minor damage during erections and sexual activity, leading to scarring. In adults, phimosis can be associated with infections like balanitis or sexually transmitted diseases.
Facts:
- Physiological phimosis in children often improves with age. The foreskin attachment breaks down, releasing a white material called smegma pearls. Most boys have a fully retractable foreskin by ages 10-12.
- Pathological phimosis is a medical condition caused by disease or scarring (BXO). It's important to distinguish it from a natural tight foreskin (physiological phimosis) as treatments differ.
Paraphimosis occurs when the foreskin gets stuck behind the penis head due to a tight ring. It requires immediate treatment, such as pulling the foreskin forward or preputioplasty to preserve it.
Causes:
- Skin conditions like BXO, Lichen planus, or Eczema.
- Infections: Circumcised men have lower rates of sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, chancroid, and genital herpes (HSV-2).
- Scarring: BXO can cause severe scarring and phimosis.
- Potential cancer: There's a long-known link between un-circumcised men and penile cancer, especially in cases of phimosis history.
Non-surgical treatment:
Treatment for phimosis depends on age and severity. Options include:
- Steroid creams or ointments.
- Stretching exercises in early stages.
- Antifungal or antibiotic medications.
However, stretching scarred foreskin may cause more tearing and scarring. Scientific evidence is lacking for its effectiveness. Phimosis creams have had limited success in recent reports. Mild phimosis symptoms in adults can be managed by using condoms and lubricants during sexual activity.
Mild tight foreskin caused by fungal infection can be treated with antifungal medications and steroid cream. Adults with high blood glucose levels (diabetes mellitus) and phimosis may require circumcision due to recurring fungal infection or possible BXO. Tight foreskin (phimosis) in diabetic patients often requires circumcision and biopsy of the foreskin.
Surgical treatments:
- Frenuloplasty: A procedure that releases the frenulum, a small fold of tissue. It allows the foreskin to detach from the penis head.
- Preputioplasty: A procedure that expands the foreskin by an incision in front, enabling full retraction.
- Partial circumcision: Leaving part of the foreskin covering the penis head. It has long-term complications.
- Full circumcision: The standard surgical option with glue or stitches for tight foreskin, particularly for BXO phimosis, traumatic injury, or penile cancer.
If sexual activity is painful or uncomfortable due to phimosis, urgent treatment is needed. Home treatment includes daily cleansing, controlled stretching exercises, and clearing smegma. Infections with tight foreskin (balanitis) require antibiotic or antifungal treatment. It's essential to get examined for sexually transmitted diseases by a GUM clinic or a doctor.
In summary, there are various alternatives to full circumcision, such as medications, creams, frenuloplasty, preputioplasty, or a combination. These options should be discussed with a specialist or urologist. Full circumcision without any medical problems should be seriously considered as it is irreversible surgery.
PS: This information is for guidance only. This is not a replacement for professional medical advice. Please call Dr Khan for video consultation £150 advice at +447527314081 without any obligation.
