Phimosis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Phimosis
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Tight foreskin that cannot be pulled back over the glans penis
Complications	Urinary tract infection, paraphimosis, balanitis
Onset	Can occur at any age
Duration
Types	Physiologic phimosis, pathologic phimosis
Causes	Congenital, scarring from infection or inflammation
Risks	Poor hygiene, diabetes mellitus
Diagnosis	Physical examination
Differential diagnosis	Paraphimosis, balanitis xerotica obliterans
Prevention	Proper hygiene, circumcision
Treatment	Topical steroid creams, manual stretching, circumcision
Medication	Topical corticosteroids
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common in young children, less common in adults
Deaths	N/A

Phimosis is a medical condition characterized by the tightness of the foreskin, which prevents it from being moved back over the head of the penis. This condition can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life.

Types

Phimosis can be classified into two types:

Stretching of foreskin to cure phimosis using silicon ear plugs

• Physiologic phimosis: This is a normal condition in newborns and young boys, where the foreskin is naturally tight and non-retractable. In most cases, the foreskin gradually loosens and becomes fully retractable by puberty.
• Pathologic phimosis: This occurs when the tightness of the foreskin is caused by scarring, infection, or inflammation, and is generally not seen in young children.

Causes

Causes of phimosis can include:

Pre and post op phimosis

• Congenital factors
• Repeated infections or inflammation of the foreskin
• Scarring from trauma or forceful retraction of the foreskin
• Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO), a chronic inflammatory skin condition

Symptoms

Symptoms of phimosis may include:

• Inability to retract the foreskin
• Pain during urination or erection
• Swelling and redness of the foreskin and glans
• Urinary retention or difficulty urinating

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of phimosis is typically made through a physical examination and a review of the patient's medical history. The healthcare provider will assess the degree of tightness and any accompanying symptoms or complications.

Treatment

Treatment for phimosis depends on the severity and the presence of any complications:

• Topical corticosteroids: In mild cases, applying corticosteroid creams to the foreskin can help reduce inflammation and improve retraction.
• Manual stretching: Gradual, gentle stretching of the foreskin over time can help loosen the tissue and improve retractability.
• Preputioplasty: This surgical procedure involves making small incisions in the foreskin to release the tightness without removing the entire foreskin.
• Circumcision: In severe cases or when other treatments have failed, circumcision may be recommended to remove the foreskin completely.

Prevention

Preventing phimosis involves maintaining good hygiene and avoiding forceful retraction of the foreskin, which can cause scarring or trauma.

See also

• Circumcision
• Paraphimosis
• Balanitis

Summary

Phimosis is tightness of the foreskin, which prevents it from being moved back over the head of the penis

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