Tight foreskin

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hello everyone, I've been trying to figure out what's really happening with my foreskin that doesn't fully retract but only at some point. Never had any issue in the area, the only problem is that it feels really sore if something touches my tip. Not sure if that has to do with the permanent 'protection' from the skin being covered or in case it needs to be cleaned. I enclose 2 pictures down below for a better view. Thank you very much in advance for your time. 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    One picture with flaccid and one with an average erection.
    • Posted

      Is that as far back as you can retract?
  • Posted

    That's phimosis.  It may just fix itself with gentle stretching, or you could get a steroid cream from a doctor which may help.  I don't think surgery would be required (preputioplasty, dorsal slit, or as a last resort circumcision).  How old are you?

    • Posted

      Thing is I haven't done any important stretching exercise so far, feeling afraid and always hesitate to clean or even make a contact with the tip. It is my responsibility and a serious mistake from me but I'm not familiar with it either. I'm almost 24 years old. Should I visit a doctor or try to do something on my own? 

    • Posted

      If you're already 24, then it isn't just going to fix itself.  You could try stretching, but if you see a doctor, they could prescribe a steroid cream, which will help.  

      Some men don't have a problem living with phimosis, but personally, I'd want to fix it, partly because phimosis is linked with penile cancer, but also because I don't see how sex could be as much fun if the inner foreskin and ridge of the glans(the sulcus) are never exposed.

      You could either see your GP, or if you're in the UK, you could go to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic - google "GUM clinic near me" for details.  Some places have GUM clinics for under-25s.

      If you do see a doctor, then if you could update this thread and tell us what they say, it would be appreciated.  If your doctor's only suggestion is circumcision btw, then I'd look for another doctor.

    • Posted

      I'm kind of shocked now because I didn't know it is possible it can cause penile cancer. It's just the whole process that scares me for years, can't even think about or imagine cleaning the area, considering all the sensitivity I feel. Another problem is that I actually want to have sex soon with a girl and I'm so concerned, mainly about the smell she might ( maybe yes maybe no? ) notice. I'm not in the UK or US but I need to take a look into it as soon as possible. My main problem is that nobody knows it from my family which I'm shy to confess and also I can't afford any expensive therapy or doctor's assistance that may be required to fix it. I don't know what to do honestly. sad

  • Posted

    We all have high sensitivity at the tip, especially in early maturity. I doubt it is anything to do with where your foreskin reaches to on the tip of your glans. Is this a recent problem?

    You seem not to have a concern about the lack of retraction and that's OK as long as you aren't getting strong unpleasant odour or infection. So: Be careful about trying full retraction as, if the foreskin is trapped behind the corona, this could cut off blood supply and needs to be fixed quickly, either by squeezing the glans to push the foreskin to the penis tip again, or if you can't do it yourself, it's a medical emergency! Get to a hospital and quickly!

    It is trus that with gentle patient gradual stretching, you can stretch the end of your foreskin so it can be moved back and forward over the glans. I have a theory that this is why we have such a strong biological urge to masturbate as this back and forth action is how many men masturbate. Done a couple of times a week, this keeps the foreskin pliable and enables easy pull back for cleaning under it.

    • Posted

      It has been like that since I was a kid ( actually forever ) and I never fully retracted the foreskin on my own to clean or even try do it. Of course I also never had any health issue with it but I remember once when I was in the pediatrist, she pulled it back and was kind of shocked that I haven't washed it at all and did it for me. I don't have any concern considering I can do anything and the functionality of my penis is perfect however I'm not sure if it should get cleaned from the inside or how am I supposed to have sex/oral sex with a girl because so far I haven't done anything sexual. You are also talking about paraphimosis, right? In case I attempt to retract it and it gets trapped behind the head? Also about the masturbation part, I don't do it with the usual way that guys touch themselves so maybe that could be another reason? 

    • Posted

      How old were you when the paediatrician retracted it?  Was she able to retract it fully?

      Sex and oral sex are still possible with phimosis, but yes, paraphimosis, is a big deal if you get that, and if you can't fix it with cold water and manual pressure, then you need to get to A&E (that's ER if you're in the US).  If at all possible, it does need to be cleaned on the inside btw.  Not just for health reasons (penile cancer is something you really don't want), but because if it's not clean, it's going to freak out any sexual partners.

    • Posted

      I can't remember the exact age, I think I was no more than 10 years old and yes she retracted it fully and remained 'open' for a few minutes to get some cotton etc. to clean it, then she pulled it up again. The weird thing is that even if I try to imagine that moment or just thinking of cleaning it by myself, I shudder to think about it. The problem for me is that I feel so shy about it, even if a doctor gets to see it, don't really know where I should seek for help either, because I might not be able to afford a doctor's treatment unless it's just creams and some techniques?

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.