Experiencing phimosis symptoms is something that deserves attention, regardless of the stage of life. This medical condition can lead to a series of complications and discomforts for patients.
Although it is more common in newborns, phimosis can persist beyond this age. If untreated, it is possible to reach adulthood with the condition, requiring medical intervention to correct the skin covering the male member.
Learn below what are the types and symptoms of phimosis, how it is diagnosed, what can happen if it is not treated, and how to resolve cases.
What is Phimosis?
Phimosis is a medical case where the foreskin of the penis – the skin covering the member – has little or no retraction.
In a penis without phimosis, the foreskin should have free movement, allowing the penile glans to be exposed.
Patients diagnosed with phimosis face difficulty moving the glans because the opening of the foreskin is narrower. This can cause discomforts during sex, difficulties in intimate hygiene, pain, and infections in the area.
What are the types of phimosis?
There are two main types of phimosis:
- Physiological phimosis: more common in newborns and usually resolves naturally over time and as the baby grows;
- Pathological phimosis: a case where phimosis continues beyond childhood and may require medical intervention, with or without surgery for total or partial removal of the foreskin.
Is it normal to have phimosis until what age?
Small children and newborns are the most common audience for phimosis.
Up to adolescence, many cases of phimosis can be found, but it is also during this period that phimosis may naturally disappear.
There is no age limit for the persistence of phimosis. However, if after childhood and adolescence the foreskin does not retract normally, it is recommended to seek medical guidance to verify the case and ensure an early diagnosis of phimosis.
Common Phimosis Symptoms
Patients who fall into the case may report different types of phimosis symptoms during daily activities, such as:
Inflammation in the penis
Phimosis increases the risk of inflammations and infections since difficulty in moving the foreskin complicates the hygiene of the area. It is possible to notice that the penis becomes redder, swollen, and with secretions.
Difficulty retracting the foreskin
It is one of the main symptoms of phimosis and can be easily noticed with manual manipulation of the penis. Difficulty or inability to retract the skin covering the glans is an indication that something is wrong;
Difficulty urinating
Phimosis makes the foreskin narrower and this can affect the urine stream, causing difficulty or pain during urination;
Pain during sexual intercourse
In the more advanced stages of phimosis, even sex can be affected. The difficulty of proper exposure of the glans interferes with penetration and masturbation activities, which become painful.
What can phimosis hinder?
In childhood and adolescence, phimosis tends to mainly affect hygiene and the sexual discoveries of boys and young people.
However, as one grows with phimosis, it can interfere with sexual life and cause self-esteem problems, related to the self-image of patients, as they may feel more insecure due to discomfort in the intimate area.
Diagnosis of Phimosis
The diagnosis of phimosis should be carried out by a medical professional, preferably a urologist.
When consulting a urologist, the professional will be able to determine the most appropriate treatment and at what stage of phimosis the patient is.
Medical consultation and exams to discover and treat phimosis
The diagnosis process is simple: a physical evaluation of the penis is carried out, and the doctor may ask questions about the patient’s individual and family medical history.
The urologist may also request additional tests, such as urine tests or blood counts to check for infections caused by bacteria.
Thus, the urologist will understand the extent of the case, observing the foreskin’s ability to retract, redness in the area, presence of secretion, and other phimosis symptoms reported by the patient.
Importance of Early Diagnosis of Phimosis
Just like congenital curvature, the sooner phimosis is discovered and treated, the better for the patient.
Early diagnosis of phimosis is fundamental to prevent the advancement of the stage of phimosis, which over time without treatment, creates more complications for the patient’s life.
Identifying phimosis as early as possible contributes to the quality of life and sexual well-being of the patient over time. Thus, he will be able to resume his normal life, without infections, pain, and discomforts and, especially, during sexual relations, in the case of adult patients.
Treatments Available for Phimosis
Some men may worry about having to treat phimosis with surgery, but surgical intervention is not the only option available for this.
Stretching exercises can be tried. In more initial and mild cases, the patient can perform gradual movement of the foreskin in skin stretching exercises guided by the doctor.
In some cases, the application of corticosteroid creams and ointments, which treat inflammations, will assist in the retraction of the foreskin and treat the symptoms of phimosis.
There is also an option of manual dilation of the foreskin. It is done exclusively by the doctor and should not be done at home. The professional will manipulate the foreskin to induce the retraction of the penile skin and widen the opening of the foreskin.
Finally, there is the popular circumcision, the surgical intervention for more advanced and severe cases of phimosis. This surgery is simple and safe and aims at the total or partial removal of the foreskin with surgical cut.
With the appropriate treatment for your case and the end of phimosis symptoms, you will likely already have an improvement in your sexual quality of life. However, if there are still other issues affecting the intimate moment, contact us to receive assistance.
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