Phimosis
Medical conditions we treat
ABOUT PHIMOSIS
What is the foreskin?
The foreskin is a fold of skin that covers the head of the penis.
Its function is to protect and lubricate the head of the penis. It also has sensory and sexual functions.
The foreskin should easily and painlessly retract in adult men.
What is phimosis?
Phimosis is a condition which occurs in uncircumcised men where the opening of the foreskin is too tight.
Phimosis is normal in boys but should not persist into adulthood.
It can also recur later in life due to scarring, infections, or inflammation of the foreskin.
What are the symptoms of phimosis?
Phimosis prevents the foreskin being pulled back over the head of the penis.
Sometimes this can cause pain with erections or sex. In severe cases it can block the flow of urine which can cause spraying or dribbling of urine, and can lead to bladder and foreskin infections.
Painful erections
Pain with an erection or during intercourse.
Spraying of urine
Urine flow does not come out in a straight stream.
Dribbling
Dribbling after passing urine.
Bladder infections
Bacterial infection in the bladder.
PATIENT JOURNEY
How is phimosis treated?
Phimosis can be treated with creams, devices to stretch the foreskin, or with surgery such as circumcision or preputioplasty.
