A tight foreskin is a condition from which many suffer today. Medical professionals call this condition phimosis. Do you also have a tightened foreskin? Are you searching for more detailed information about the problem? Do you have a son who might have the condition? If you have any concerns at all about phimosis, this essential guide is here to help. So without further ado, let’s get stuck into the article.
Should I Be Worried About a Tight Foreskin?
Even though you might be finding it difficult to urinate or have sex, there is no need to worry about a tight foreskin. There are several ways to get rid of the problem, which is extremely treatable. Consult your doctor for advice and to make sure you get the right phimosis solution for you.
We cannot stress enough the importance of seeking medical help. You can read countless stories on the internet about home remedies for phimosis. But none of these work in the long-term and most of them are likely to cause further damage.
In addition, there are different types of phimosis. The treatment for your tight foreskin will depend very much on several factors, including your age and the severity of the phimosis. Only a doctor can properly assess your tight foreskin and suggest the correct course of action.
Tight Foreskin: The Phimosis Essentials
As we previously alluded to, there is more to a tight foreskin than simply “phimosis”. There are different types of phimosis, as well as different degrees of severity. In this article, we’ll help you to differentiate between the various types. We’ll also briefly explain how to spot whether or not you may have phimosis.
Congenital Phimosis and Acquired Phimosis
There are two possible types of phimosis: congenital and acquired. Both varieties of phimosis are perfectly common, so you should not be too concerned if you are suffering with the condition.
Acquired phimosis usually develops in adulthood. There are a variety of possible causes, but it is usually triggered by some kind of infection causing inflammation. It could be anything from a physical knock to the penis which has caused swelling, to a sexually transmitted infection. Sometimes smegma can gather underneath the foreskin, usually due to poor sanitation. The bacteria found around the prepuce will use this as a food source and multiply in number, causing infection. This can also result in acquired phimosis.
On the other hand, congenital phimosis is something you are born with. It is usually caused by a foreskin which is abnormally short. The penis has grown, but the foreskin has not grown at the same rate. In such a case, it will be very difficult to retract the foreskin, which can cause lots of discomfort to the child suffering from it.
Phimosis vs. Paraphimosis
So as we have seen, there are two distinct types of phimosis. But this condition, which is often accompanied by symptoms like difficulty with urinating, can be further broken down into two sub-categories: phimosis and paraphimosis.
When medical practitioners talk about phimosis, they are describing a tightened foreskin which cannot be retracted (or partially retractable). This means you cannot drag the skin back across the glans once the penis is fully covered.
On the other hand, paraphimosis is the condition where it is possible to retract the foreskin beyond the head of the penis, but it cannot be restored to its initial position. The tight foreskin prevents the glans from being covered again.
Paraphimosis is especially problematic. If the tightened foreskin strangles the penis and restricts blood flow too heavily, it can lead to necrosis. Or in other words, the tissue of the penis becomes so starved of oxygen that it begins to die. You can imagine how serious this condition is, hence the importance of understanding the difference in severity. You should always talk to a qualified doctor about your tight foreskin, to ensure you get the right kind of attention.
Tightened Phimosis and Untightened Phimosis
It is possible to classify the condition of phimosis even further. There are two types: tightened and untightened phimosis. Tightened phimosis refers to a case where it is not at all possible to retract the foreskin behind the head of the penis. Even when it happens to be flaccid, the skin cannot be drawn back.
On the other hand, with cases of untightened phimosis, it may be possible to partially uncover the glans. It depends on the degree of foreskin narrowing that has taken place.
Symptoms Of Phimosis
If you display any of the following symptoms, it’s possible you are dealing with phimosis:
- Tight foreskin that is difficult to move, either backwards or forwards
- Pain while having sex
- Difficulty in going to the toilet
- Inflammation of the head of the penis
- A visible white ring at the foreskin opening
Essential Guide to Tight Foreskin: Conclusions
As we have seen, there are several different categories of phimosis. Medical professionals understand that we do not simply talk about “phimosis”. This is why seeking medical attention is so important if you are dealing with a tight foreskin.
Although the symptoms of phimosis can be quite mild in the initial stages, it can aggravate over time. However, if you are suffering from phimosis there is no reason to worry. Effective treatments are available at present to get rid of this condition permanently. Talk to your doctor for advice.