No, pulling back the foreskin should not be painful; if it is, or if it's tight and doesn't retract easily (phimosis), you shouldn't force it, as this can cause pain, tearing, or infection, and you should see a doctor for proper assessment and treatment, especially if you experience swelling, discharge, or painful erections. Gentle stretching is okay, but stop at the first sign of pain, and avoid forceful retraction, which can lead to scarring or complications like paraphimosis (stuck foreskin).
Sometimes if the foreskin is very tight it can get stuck and cannot go back to its original position covering the end of the penis. The end of the penis can then become very swollen and painful. This is known as paraphimosis and it's a medical emergency.
If your child's balanitis is a result of a bacterial or fungal infection, they may be offered antibiotics or an anti-fungal cream. This should always be applied exactly as directed, and you should ensure that your child completes the entire course of treatment.
Having phimosis isn't necessarily a problem. Babies have phimosis at birth, and their tight foreskin will usually loosen as they get older without treatment. Phimosis becomes a problem when it causes symptoms, like a pinhole-sized opening or you can't pull back your foreskin enough to clean the area underneath.
Credible research shows that most women prefer the appearance of the circumcised penis. They also prefer it for sexual activity. Hygiene is one reason; increased contact of the penis with the vaginal wall, and thus greater stimulation, are others.
Grades of phimosis
Grade 3: the foreskin can be retracted to the middle of the glans penis. Grade 4: the foreskin can be retracted only to half of the glans penis. Grade 5: the foreskin may retract completely, but causes pain and a phimotic ring is observed.
Pathologic phimosis that does not resolve naturally or causes other complications, including; penile irritation or bleeding, ballooning of the foreskin with urination resulting in forceful/difficult urination, urinary retention, painful urination (dysuria), painful erections, recurrent infections of the foreskin ( ...
Stretching in the shower: Sometimes, stretching can be painful. You may find that using warm water will make your foreskin easier to stretch. Try soaking in a warm bath or take a hot shower. Not only it will help you to relax, but the warm water may help to loosen the skin.
Effectiveness: I've found the rings to be very effective. The progressive sizing allows for a gradual and controlled stretching process, which is crucial for safe and comfortable treatment. I've noticed significant improvement and progress since I started using the set.
Symptoms of balanitis
This is called foreskin retraction. Remember that foreskin retraction should never be forced. Until the foreskin fully separates, it shouldn't be pulled back. Forcing the foreskin to retract before it is ready can cause severe pain, bleeding and tears in the skin.
What can be mistaken for balanitis? One type of balanitis, called circinate balanitis, can look like a skin condition called psoriasis. Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease, has some similar symptoms to balanitis, such as pain and irritation.
A doctor may be able to tell whether balanitis is fungal or bacterial based on the appearance of the infection. For example, if a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans is suspected, you may have small, itchy, or sore papules on the head or shaft of the penis and scrotum.
It's also typical to see a thick, white or yellowish substance under the foreskin and near the penis. This substance is called smegma. Smegma is a collection of dead cells, oils, and other fluids. A buildup of smegma can lead to foul odor or skin irritation.
Conclusions: Pain is mild to moderate after circumcision in adults under general anesthesia with an intraoperative penile block. Severe pain is rare and mostly related to complications.
You can treat phimosis with steroid creams, applied once or twice daily for a couple of weeks. If steroid creams don't work, or the phimosis is severe, circumcision might be the best option. If you have phimosis, you should also be checked by your doctor for balanitis, BXO, diabetes, and penis cancer.
Foreskin Partial Retraction - How to:
Eventually, the foreskin should be retracted far enough during urination to see the meatus (the hole where the urine comes from). This prevents urine from building up beneath the foreskin and possibly causing an infection. As long as the foreskin doesn't easily retract, only the outside needs to be cleaned.
Yes, you can get an erection with phimosis, but it often becomes painful, difficult, or impossible, especially with severe cases where the tight foreskin can't pull back over the glans (head of the penis), potentially causing tearing, pain during sex, and even leading to erectile dysfunction. Mild phimosis might allow for normal erections, but symptoms like pain, redness, and issues with hygiene often arise with arousal.
Uncircumcised males are at increased risk of genital herpes.
Circumcision decreases, but does not eliminate, the risk of contracting genital herpes. Safer sex practices remain critical to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including herpes.
Phimosis is normal in babies and toddlers. It isn't usually a problem unless it causes the symptoms described. Take your child to your GP if they have these symptoms.
Phimosis in uncircumcised men
This is called phimosis. Men with phimosis have a higher risk of penile cancer than other men. The reason for this is not clear. It may relate to other known risk factors caused by phimosis, including a build-up of secretions under the foreskin called smegma.
The NHS provides circumcision free of charge when a urologist decides there is a medical reason for the procedure. The most common reasons are: Phimosis.
You can get circumcised at any age.