The foreskin cannot be pulled back when erect, why?

In uncircumcised or uncircumcised males, their penis still has the foreskin attached to the tip. The foreskin of the penis generally can be pulled back or it will shrink back when erect. Even so, there are various possible problems that can approach the penis. One of them is phimosis, when the foreskin of the penis cannot be pulled back. What caused it? Is it dangerous if you experience this condition? Check out the answer in the following review.

What is phimosis?

The foreskin represents at least one third of the foreskin. The foreskin serves to protect the head of the penis from friction and direct contact with clothing. When the foreskin of the penis cannot be pulled back or shrinks back over the head of the penis during an erection, this is called phimosis.

Phimosis appears in the form of a tight ring or "rubber band" that wraps around the foreskin around the tip of the penis, preventing the foreskin from pulling all the way back.

What causes the foreskin of the penis to not be pulled back?

Phimosis is a condition that is common in infants, toddlers, and boys who have not been circumcised. This is because the foreskin will remain attached to the head of the penis in the first few years of the baby or as long as it is not circumcised. Phimosis of the foreskin in a child usually begins to retract at the age of 3 years. Even so, it is possible that adolescents and adult men can also experience this.

In adults, there are a number of risk factors and possible causes of phimosis. Despite being circumcised, adult males are more likely to develop phimosis if they have urinary tract infections that recur; skin infection of the foreskin; not taking good care of penile hygiene; or pulling the foreskin too hard or forcefully, for example when masturbating. These things can cause scarring around the head of the penis so that the foreskin cannot shrink back.

A variety of other skin conditions can also increase the risk that the foreskin won't retract, such as:

Eczema on the penis, characterized by dry, itchy, red, and cracked skin of the penis.
Psoriasis, the appearance of red patches and crusts of dead skin on the skin.
Lichen planus - rash and itching on areas of the body, but is not contagious.
Lichen sclerosus - a skin disease that often occurs on the genitals and anus and causes scarring on the foreskin of the penis.

What are the symptoms of phimosis?

Phimosis generally causes no symptoms other than the non-retractable foreskin of the penis.

However, some people may experience pain during erection, reddish skin, sometimes causing balloon-like swelling under the foreskin.

If it is severe enough, phimosis can interfere with the work of the urinary tract, resulting in inflammation of the penis (balanitis), infection of the foreskin gland (balanoposthitis), to paraphimosis - when the blocked foreskin ends up stopping blood flow to the tip of the penis.

What is the right treatment for this condition?

Treatment options will be adjusted according to the symptoms that occur. Most cases of phimosis can be treated by regularly applying a steroid cream or ointment to the foreskin area, and always keeping the penis clean every day, and keeping it dry.

If the doctor is unable to determine the cause, he or she may suggest using a steroid ointment. Steroid ointments help loosen the skin of the foreskin, which makes it easier for the muscles around the foreskin to move. This ointment is routinely massaged into the area around the foreskin twice a day.

If phimosis occurs in children, the doctor may advise them to be circumcised. In adults, surgical removal of part of the foreskin can be a treatment option.

Could phimosis be prevented?

Phimosis can be prevented by maintaining the cleanliness and health of the intimate organs. Routinely clean the penis area with warm water then dry it with a clean towel slowly. The goal is to help keep the foreskin muscles easy to move and avoid infection.