Phimosis is an anomaly that worries and troubles many men because of the problems and discomfort it causes. Here we explain in detail what it is and how it can affect the man who suffers from it.
What is phimosis?
Phimosis is the tightness or inability to retract the skin that covers the glans penis and prevents the foreskin from being revealed. This condition is present in almost all newborns, as it has a protective function. During childhood the glans gradually separates from the foreskin, and if this is not the case, the problem we are facing is phimosis.
This anomaly can occur in childhood as well as in adulthood. It prevents the penis from being cleaned properly, and therefore increases the chances of infection, as well as making sexual intercourse more difficult if the problem occurs in adulthood, as it will be painful.
Causes of phimosis
Among the causes of phimosis is the possibility that it may be congenital (hereditary) or acquired, and may appear throughout life.
In general, it is very common for this type of phimosis, being the least problematic, as it is detected in children who have not yet reached puberty. If so, it is not usually bothersome unless the skin over the penis is completely closed and does not allow the child to urinate.
In the case of an adult male, it may be due to having had this anomaly since childhood or to a series of inflammations of the foreskin and glans (balanoposthitis), certain infections (balanitis) or trauma to the penis that has tightened the skin of the foreskin.
How do you know if you have phimosis?
It is very simple, to detect it, you only have to try to retract the skin of the penis. If the glans cannot be fully uncovered, you may have phimosis. Sometimes it only affects the penis when it is erect, as the change in size can cause discomfort when the skin is pulled down, or even make it impossible to uncover the glans penis during erection.
If phimosis occurs in adults and/or the elderly, it is common for them to also suffer from fungal infections and present symptoms on the skin of the penis, which will become whitish and stiff.
If in doubt, we recommend always consulting a urologist.
Types of phimosis
Depending on the degree of tightness and the ability of the foreskin to retract, we can differentiate between various degrees:
Grade 1 phimosis: The foreskin can retract completely, causing pain. In addition, a phimotic ring may be visible.
Phimosis grade 2: In this grade it is possible to partially retract the foreskin, with only part of the glans visible.
Phimosis grade 3: With a pointed appearance, the foreskin is retracted a little, just enough to see the urinary meatus.
Phimosis grade 4: Punctiform appearance. This is the most severe grade, as it is impossible to retract the foreskin as the skin is not retractable.
Is it treatable?
Today, there exist several options for treating phimosis. On the one hand, there are ointment-based treatments, which are especially indicated when patients are young boys. The reported success of these local corticosteroids ranges between 60% and 90%, with a recurrence rate of 20%.
On the other hand, depending on the degree of narrowing and the possible complications it is causing the patient, there is the option of a surgical intervention. In cases where this is necessary, it is usually performed during puberty, as this is done under local anaesthesia and the loss of skin is much less.
Phimosis surgery in adults and/or young men, also known as post-ectomy or circumcision, is a very simple surgery in which the patient generally does not need to be hospitalised and does not put his fertility or reproductive capacity at risk.
It is currently estimated that 10% of the world's male population has undergone this surgery.
