Phimosis – How to Deal with It? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Phimosis – how to deal with it? Causes, symptoms, treatment
Phimosis is one of the most common urological conditions in boys and adult men, which can lead not only to health problems, but also to mental and emotional problems. Although it is an intimate problem, it is worth talking about it openly – early diagnosis and effective treatment of phimosis allows you to avoid complications and improves the quality of life.
In this article, we explain what exactly phimosis is, its symptoms, causes and available treatments. You will also learn when it is worth going to a urologist and how the diagnosis is carried out.
What is phimosis?
Phimosis is a narrowing of the foreskin that prevents it from sliding freely from the glans penis. This problem can occur in both children and adults. There are two main types of phimosis:
- Physiological phimosis – a natural narrowing of the foreskin in newborns and infants. In most cases, it disappears spontaneously by the age of 3 or 4.
- Pathological phimosis – persistent or progressive narrowing of the foreskin, which can cause pain, hygiene problems and even infections. It occurs in older boys and adult men.
Symptoms of phimosis – when is it worth worrying?
Although phimosis can be asymptomatic for a long time, in many cases it causes specific ailments. Symptoms that should prompt a visit to the doctor include, m.in:
- difficulty or inability to retract the foreskin,
- pain and burning during urination or intercourse,
- repeated inflammation of the glans and foreskin (balanoposthitis),
- mucus under the foreskin (smegma),
- excessive tightness during erection, causing cracking of the skin and the formation of scars.
Untreated phimosis can lead to complications such as urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction and even penile cancer in very advanced cases.
Causes of phimosis
Phimosis can have various causes, depending on the age of the patient. The most common include:
- Congenital narrowing of the foreskin – associated with incomplete anatomical development,
- Inflammation and infections – frequent inflammation can lead to scarring of the foreskin,
- Improper intimate hygiene – lack of daily washing or too aggressive cleansing,
- Diabetes – elevated glucose levels increase the risk of infections and skin complications,
- Mechanical injuries – e.g. cracks in the foreskin during intercourse.
Phimosis diagnosis – what does a visit to a urologist look like?
A visit to a urologist usually begins with a medical history – the doctor will ask about your symptoms, pain and medical history. Then a physical examination is performed – the specialist assesses the possibility of draining the foreskin and possible inflammatory or scarring changes.
In some cases, urine tests or cultures may be recommended, especially if phimosis is accompanied by infections.
How to treat phimosis? Overview of methods
Treatment of phimosis depends on the patient’s age and the severity of the lesions. The most commonly used methods include:
- Conservative treatment (in children and adolescents)
- Steroid creams – applied topically, are designed to loosen the skin of the foreskin and facilitate its removal,
- Manual exercises – gentle, daily pulling back of the foreskin (only after consulting a doctor),
- Intimate hygiene – especially important in physiological phimosis.
- Surgical procedures (in adults and in advanced cases)
- Foreskin plasty (preputioplasty) – preservation of the foreskin while widening its opening. This is a cost-saving solution that allows you to maintain the function of the foreskin.
- Circumcision (circumcision) – complete removal of the foreskin. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and the healing process usually takes 7–14 days.
At Mediss Medical, procedures are performed by experienced urology specialists in safe outpatient conditions.
Life after phimosis treatment – what to expect?
Most patients after surgical treatment experience a clear improvement in the quality of life: pain symptoms disappear, comfort during intercourse and daily hygiene improve. However, it is worth remembering that the success of treatment also depends on following the doctor’s recommendations – especially regarding hygiene, avoiding exertion and sexual activity for several weeks after the procedure.
Phimosis and intimate life and psyche
The impact of phimosis on the psyche is not without significance – many men feel shame, anxiety, and even avoid intimate relationships for fear of pain or judgment from their partner. Treatment of phimosis significantly improves self-esteem and self-confidence, so it is worth breaking the barrier of shame and consulting a specialist.
Summary – when to see a urologist?
Alarming symptoms in the foreskin, difficulties in draining the skin, infections and pain are signs that it is worth seeking advice from a specialist. At Mediss Medical in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz, we offer comprehensive diagnostics and treatment of phimosis in children and adults – in an atmosphere of discretion, respect and full professionalism.
