If you know someone affected by phimosis, you need to get detailed information about the medical condition first. Only then can you look for Phimosis treatment options. Luckily, there are different ways to treat this condition. If left untreated, phimosis can cause pain and difficulty urinating. In some cases, it can also lead to infection. It is not always a problem; however, when it causes symptoms, it becomes an issue. This might happen when it is severe and leaves a pinhole-sized opening. Physiologic phimosis refers to childhood phimosis that usually goes away as you age. Under this condition, the foreskin cannot be pulled back. It’s thought that only 1% of individuals have phimosis at age 16.
What is Phimosis?
Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin of the penis is so tight that it cannot be pulled back (retracted) over the head of the penis. Phimosis can occur in babies, children, and adults. It’s normal for babies and toddlers to have phimosis because their foreskin is still attached to the glans (head) of the penis. This usually changes around three years as the foreskin gradually separates from the glans. In most cases, when a child reaches puberty, you may fully retract the foreskin without pain.
What is the foreskin?
The foreskin is a flap of skin that covers the head (glans) of the penis. The inside of the foreskin is a mucous membrane similar to the lining of the mouth. The foreskin also contains a band of smooth muscle called the frenulum. The frenulum attaches the foreskin to the underside of the glans and helps keep it in place.
The main function of the foreskin is to protect the glans from friction, irritation, and infection. It also protects the urethra (urine canal) from bacteria and other contaminants.
What are the symptoms of phimosis?
The main symptom of phimosis is difficulty retracting the foreskin. This can cause pain and difficulty urinating. In some cases, phimosis can also lead to infection. The symptoms of phimosis may vary from mild to severe.
Other symptoms may include:
- Redness and swelling of the foreskin
- Discomfort when urinating
- Pain or bleeding during sexual activity
- Difficulty cleaning the penis properly, which can lead to infection
- Balanitis (inflammation of the glans)
- Paraphimosis (a condition where the foreskin becomes stuck behind the glans and cannot be pulled back into place).
What causes phimosis?
The cause of phimosis is unknown. However, it may be due to genetic and environmental factors.
Phimosis Treatment with topical steroids
You may treat phimosis by applying topical steroids to the tip of the penis. Topical steroids like betamethasone, mometasone furoate, and cortisone are effective treatment options in this case. They have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Betamethasone 0.2% and hyaluronidase cream were applied to the foreskins of individuals with true phimosis, resulting in alterations in the structure of the foreskin with a decrease in elastic system fibers when compared to non-treated participants.
Phimosis Treatment by Manual stretching
You may use balloons or other equipment to stretch the foreskin. This is based on the idea that mild stretching or tension of the skin induces it to expand over time, resulting in permanent growth. It’s a safe and painless technique that doesn’t even require a medical expert.
A balloon catheter is inserted into the preputial opening, which is widened a little in this technique. Next, inflate the balloon until the glans’ maximal diameter is 3-5mm greater than the incision’s maximum diameter. Repeat the inflation process 2-3 times. Afterwards, the foreskin is repeatedly retracted on the day of surgery and at least twice each day.
Combining Topical Steroids with Stretching is also effective.
According to a study in 2015, 247 boys aged 4 to 14 who used topical cream along with manual stretching found the combination 86% effective.
Surgical methods for Phimosis Treatment: Circumcision
Circumcision is a non-invasive procedure that takes a few minutes to finish. First, a surgeon removes the foreskin covering the penis. Then, general anaesthesia allows them to perform this operation. Circumcision is sometimes performed on new-borns in some cultures and nations for religious or prophylactic purposes. Due to the loss of erogenous tissue, complications of circumcision may include pain, bleeding, infection, and lack of sexual pleasure. On the other hand, the advantages of circumcision include protection from sexually transmitted illnesses and penile cancer.
Conclusion
Phimosis is a condition that affects many men, and there are treatments available. If you are experiencing difficulty retracting your foreskin or if the opening of the foreskin is too small, you may want to consider Phimosis treatment with topical steroids. Topical steroids can help to loosen the skin and make retraction easier. In some cases, circumcision may be necessary for severe phimosis. It’s important to consult with a doctor to determine the best course of treatment for you.
