By the time most uncircumcised boys are 10 years old, they can pull the foreskin back from the head of their penis. For some, it may not retract completely until they are about 17 years old. When this happens, it's called phimosis. Boys born with phimosis, and it can last through puberty.
By age 17, most boys will be able to fully retract their foreskin. Phimosis can also occur if the foreskin is forced back before it is ready. This can cause a fibrous scar to form. This can stop the foreskin from retracting in the future.
A tight foreskin, known medically as phimosis, is a condition where the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the head of the penis, causing pain or discomfort when urinating and having sex. Although in babies a tight foreskin is very normal, when it comes to teenagers and adults it can be a problem.
Foreskin retraction may happen right after birth. Or it may take several years. Most foreskins can be fully retracted by the time a young man is 18 years old. Retracting or pulling back the foreskin from the tip of the penis should not be forced.
In addition to other answers concerning the frenulum, it may be that the foreskin is simply not fully detached yet. There's a layer of skin - similar to the layer between your skin and fingernail - that holds the two together. This gradually dissolved between puberty and in some boys takes as long as age 18.
Normally, by the time a boy reaches 16 years of age, he should be able to easily retract his foreskin. This is true in 1% to 5% of men. If they cannot retract the foreskin by this age, they may possibly have phimosis.
It sounds like you are suffering from a phimosis, where the foreskin cannot be pulled back to expose the head (glans) of the penis. This can be caused by a few conditions but most commonly, a skin condition known as BXO (otherwise called lichen sclerosis) is responsible.
I can't pull my foreskin back, my foreskin is too tight
“Phimosis may not cause you any problems, but it can get worse and cause difficulties peeing – and you won't be able to clean underneath it,” says Dr Ranj. Try pulling the foreskin back really slowly.
Phimosis in a young child is likely to improve on its own. In adults, phimosis will not go away unless surgery is performed or an infection is treated.
Foreskin retraction may happen immediately after birth, or it may take several years. Some boys can retract their foreskin as early as age 5, but some may not be able to do this until their teenage years. Retraction of the foreskin should not be forced.
Phimosis is defined as the inability to retract the skin (foreskin or prepuce) covering the head (glans) of the penis. Phimosis may appear as a tight ring or “rubber band” of foreskin around the tip of the penis, preventing full retraction. Phimosis is divided into two forms: physiologic and pathologic.
We are regularly asked about the optimal age for circumcision, and whether at a certain point a boy becomes too old to have it done. The answer is that circumcision is available for boys and men of all ages, and our medical team will perform the operation safely. There are no age restrictions for circumcision.
Phimosis is where the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the head of the penis (glans). 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 usually goes away on its own within the first few years of a child's life. If it causes problems – for instance, when urinating (peeing) – it may need to be treated. Using a special cream is often enough. Surgery is only rarely needed.
What could have caused my tight foreskin? In children, a tight foreskin is usually congenital but, in adults, it is often due to a scarring disease known as balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO, sometimes called lichen sclerosus).
In adults, risk factors for phimosis include sexually transmitted infections. Phimosis may be caused by a skin condition, such as: Eczema: A long-term condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry, and cracked. Psoriasis: This skin condition leads to patches of skin becoming red, flaky, and crusty.
If you're an adult with lots of scar tissue, your provider will probably recommend circumcision. This procedure will remove the foreskin and free the glans. Your healthcare provider is almost sure to suggest circumcision if balanitis xerotic obliterans (BXO) is causing the phimosis and steroid creams don't work.
A tight foreskin naturally occurs in babies and young children, and it can occasionally persist into adulthood. Although a tight foreskin does not always lead to serious medical complications, it may cause symptoms such as redness, pain, and inflammation.
In general, the cost of a circumcision is between $250 and $400. The cost is often divided into two bills: one for the procedure and one for the health care provider's time. Your insurance benefits will determine how much you will have to pay yourself.