Conditions
Phimosis
A tight foreskin is most commonly diagnosed at an early age, as 95% of 16-17 years olds should be able to retract their foreskins fully. Its medical term is ‘phimosis’ and this comes from the Greek world for ‘muzzle’, which means that men’s constant references to their ‘weapon’ might not be far from the truth…
A man should be able to retract his foreskin over the head of his penis, but if he can’t this can have a discomforting effect when having sex, and can lead to hygiene issues as it becomes difficult to clean the penis effectively. Treatment of the condition has most commonly been circumcision, but this has recently been replaced by use of a topical steroid cream, which when applied for 4-6 weeks can often reduce the constriction of the skin enough to fit the foreskin over the head. There are also ways to permanently stretch the skin, either manually or through use of embedded balloons. If these methods are not affective, then it is possible to have surgery called Preputioplasty, where a dorsal slit is made to relieve the tension, without having to remove the whole foreskin.
Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
My son is 11 and has a small penis and has now started to become aware of this. He has been to the Dr about it but it seems thier is no problem. He strugles to pull back his foreskin but can do it. At what age should he see a size growth or should we take him back to the Dr.
I'm 16 and i've had trouble before pulling back my foreskin, the best way is to pull gently on your foreskin so it doesn't hurt upwards so it stretches outwards and also the frenulum (the flap of skin attaching the foreskin to the penis, after a few weeks it will eventually easily pull back both erect and flaccid.
I am 15. When my penis is errect my foreskin is unable to retract at all. If i try to retract my foreskin it is very painful and i am afraid of doing any damage. What should i do?
I have a foreskin which will not retract now at all I am 42. It tore quite badly whilst having sex a few years ago and has gradually got tighter.The tip of the foreskin has also changed colour a slightly lighter pink nearly white, than the rest of my penis. I also have a fungal infection through my groin and between my buttocks which will not clear. can you give me some advice please.
Hi I am 15 and I can't pull my foreskin back all the way, but when I do my foreskin makes a tiny little slit in the side that makes It bleed a little, I have also noticed that at the bottom of my penis head it has not yet pealed back. Please please someone give me advice!!! Thankyou
Hello their :) im the same and i went to the Doctors about it he gave me this creama and ive been putting it on. So far nothing is happenening though :(
hi am 15 and i can pull my foreskin down when its on a floop but whens errect i cant i got hit by a baseball bat and i think thats why it wont and am scared to do anything with a girl should i tell my mum then go to the doctors or go to the doctors first please help
hi, i am 17 and i have a tight foreskin. it doesnt retract the hole is a bit bigger than a 5p. I have no pain when masturbating but am not sure if it will hurt wen having sex?? I don't want to undergo surgery and hope to use the steroid cream do u have to go to your gp to get it?? and will ther steriod cream make me gain weight cause i have recently lost a lot of weight and don't want to put it back on??
Hi, im 16 and still a virgin. I can pull my foreskin down when flacid, but when erect i cant. The only way i can pull it down when erect is when i have pulled the foreskin down before it has become erect but when it is pulled back and erect is is very painful. I dont really know what is the best option please advise
i have that same problem, anyone with advise please
you may be told to get circumsized , not the best option .... while in the shower or bath slowly streath the skin , this will take a few weeks but much better than loosing for foreskin!
hi im 31,when me and my girlfriend have sex and the foreskin is pulled back during sex it is painful and we have to stop.can u help me please
hi when me and my girlfriend are having sex and when my foreskin comes down it becomes painfull and we have to stop.can u help me please
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