What is Phimosis?
pronounced ‘Fi Moze Is” is a state in which the male foreskin is unable to retract properly from the head of the penis (or glans). This is due to an unusually tight foreskin. The causes of a tight foreskin can vary, but most commonly it is simply because males are born with it that way. Usually the condition resolves as the male develops into adult-hood. However, a proportion of men can have phimosis persist into later years, with a spectrum of presentations. Also, over time it can also be exacerbated by tearing of the opening of the foreskin, which leaves little scars. This can leave a fairly right rim of scar tissue. Incidence of Phimosis varies, but it is thought to be as high as 1-5% of the male non-circumcised population. The absolute incidence is much higher in Japan, which has never had a cultural practice of circumcision. (reference1)
What are your treatment options?
Do you have a very tight foreskin that causes you regular problems?
Only a medical device or surgery can help. Do not be fooled by books or websites that promise home cure. Our surveys show they fail. We know of only two devices, a balloon and a caliper that work to stretch a tight foreskin. Sometime you will need to use a steriod cream with these devices that stretch a tight foreskin to get the very best results. Medical experts will recommend trying one of these devices and for the foreskins that are resistant to stretching by a device, surgical intervention is recommended.
Can you sometime pull your foreskin back (flaccid or erect) but have pain or persistent discomfort with your tight foreskin?
If this reflects your condition, Doctors will recommend a gentle stretching device. These devices have a very good track record and are widely accepted as providing the ideal means to widen your foreskin.Some Doctors would always recommend a steriod cream in conjunction with such a device, howeverf, most Doctors would suggest you use the device first and reassess the results after a week. If good progress is made then steriods will not be prescribed. If you have little foreskin widening, then a steriod will usually be prescribed
When would you use finger stretching for a tight foreskin?
The use of fingers would only be useful and safe for those men with very very mild tightness of their foreskin. That is, they can usually retract the foreskin without problem, most of the time. They have no pain or discomfort, and have not had infections or irritation. Fingers and the foreskin and penis must be clean and warm. The use of fingers have been shown in some cases to cause infection, especially where nails inadvertantly tear or rip the sensative skin.
What are the only proven treatment options?
- Stretching (stretching of the foreskin can be acheived by a metal calliper or a balloon device)
- Steriod Cream (Betamethasone has been proven to assist with making the foreskin stretch and should be used more often especially in combination with the balloon or calliper technique of stretching)
- Stretch Plus Steriod Cream (This combination should be used as often as clinically indicated and will give the best non surgical outcomes and results should be long term)
- Surgery (Any form of surgery should be used as a last option. Surgery is generally effective, however, any form of surgery has well known risk of side effects and complications)
What are the treatment steps?
Step 1 - use a device designed for stretching a tight foreskin. This should be done over two weeks, in line with the skins ability to stretch gently and slowly. Stretching should only be done for a few minutes once per day. Any more than once per day will have the opposite effect and may cause the foreskin to tighten. Skin stretching must be once per day, gently, for a few minutes over a few weeks. This has been scientifically proven.
Step 2 - if stretching is slow, ask your doctor for a prescription of a steriod cream. Apply this to the foreskin in the morning if stretching at night time or in the evening if stretching in the morning.
Step 3 - Ideally, after one week of good results, you can increase the pressure if your stretch within your own comfort zone. The majority of men using gentle stretching devices designed to loosen a tight forskin, will get very good long lasting results. A few men, will need a referral to a urologist or surgeon with expertise in foreskin surgery. Several options are avialable. We would suggest that for men who don't get good results with device, they make sure they use one in combination with steriod and try it for at least 4 weeks. Most men will get their foreskin back to a normal level of function within two weeks on average.
What can your doctor offer (for uncomplicated phimosis)?
- advice on caring for your foreskin options on stretching with either the metal caliper tool or the more gentler and effective balloon device
- prescription for steriod and councelling on use, side effects etc.
- follow up consultation to review treatment and encourage continued use if progress is slow but positive
- Surgical options if failure or if complications. Always follow you doctors advice.
- Do not rely on books or websites promising a homecure. Doctors tell us the only thing you should spend your money on is either a device for stretching foreskins or a doctors appointment for either a steriod prescription or referral for surgery.
More information from the web.
A full review on the topic of phimosis reveals many different approaches to defining phimosis. We have provided the most up to date definitions from reputable websites.
GFS This site is supported by a grant from The Sate of NSW (Australia) Government Department of State & Regional Development. "
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