Conditions
Tight foreskin
A tight foreskin is actually normal in non-circumcised boys under six, and some men go through their whole lives with the condition and don’t feel it’s a particular problem. But for others it can be painful and embarrassing. So what exactly does it mean, and what treatments are available?
The medical name for a tight foreskin is phimosis, and it means that the foreskin – the flesh at the tip of the penis – cannot be pulled be back to reveal the head of the penis (the glans). There are degrees of tightness, and in some boys the foreskin may go back a little, while in others it’s so tight it makes going to the loo painful.
In most boys, by ten years old the foreskin is naturally loose enough to be pulled back and even if, by this stage, it is not, the condition will often pass as boys grow up. But if it doesn’t, it can carry on making urination painful and make the area liable to infection.
Don’t let your son try and pull the foreskin back himself (or do it for him) as this can cause damage to the penis, and cause the foreskin itself to get stuck – a very painful condition called paraphimosis which needs urgent medical treatment.
Instead, let your doctor have a look. If necessary he can prescribe an ointment which is applied to the end of the penis to loosen the foreskin. Some men with the condition also do daily stretching exercises which are designed to ease the foreskin back from the tip of the penis over a period of weeks or months.
Apart from any pain, a tight foreskin can mean an increased likelihood of infection – one in 25 uncircumcised boys experience a condition called balanitis, which means the end of the penis and the tip of the foreskin become red and sore. Though circumcision is usually done when boys are babies, it can be performed on older children and even adult men under a general anaesthetic, and is one way of dealing with a tight foreskin.
Comments and Questions
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Hello, im 15 and cannot pull my foreskin back at all its painfull and quite embarrising, help anyone :(
Hi, im 15 and my foreskin has recently started to get tight when i pul it back, i can pull it back over the head without an erection, but when im erect and go to pulll it over the head i get alot of pain, can anyone give me an idea on what to do?
Hi mate. I was recently in a very similar situation to you. Go to your GP and asked to be checked out - don't worry about being embarrased, they've put up with a lot more disgusting stuff than your penis! The chances are, they'll either give you a cream to try out first to loosen the foreskin, and then recommend you get circumcised if that doesn't work. Others may just jump straight to the circumcision - which honestly, isn't as bad as it sounds! I was circumcised about 8 months ago, and whilst its sensitive (not exactly painful) for a few days, there's no long lasting issues. Despite common rumours: You CAN still masturbate, you DON'T lose sensitivity and it DOESN'T look "deformed" as some ignorant people describe. Heck, if you ask me, it's a lot better: Easier to clean, looks better and obviously you don't have the issue you're describing! Best of luck mate, and don't let it get you down!
Hi, I'm 17, when I'm not erect I can sort of pull my foreskin back, but I don't want to go too far because I'm scared it'll get stuck! When my oenis is erect it comes back a little but there is no chance of it going over the head!! Tips anyone?
Hi, im 13 and am going through puberty, I can pull my foreskin back but not very far. I have like an extra bit of Skin attatched to the tip of my penis and my foreskin, however when its errect its really hard to pull it back... thanks.
Im 17 i still can't pull my fore skin back, been to the doctors but he said it will loosen in time but that was 2 years ago! What do i do!?
My brother is 9 and has been arranged to have an opperration to remove his foreskin ask the hospital if you can??
my son complains about stinging from doing a wee from his manhood is there a cream to looseing his manhood
I've just started puberty and when I try and wash the head of my penis in the shower I can't retract the foreskin however when I try and pull it back I can see the urethra. Will my foreskin lose it's tightness as I continue through puberty?
im 16 and i can pull my foreskin back when its not erect but when it is erect its harder to pull it down, anything you can do to help with that?
Im a bit nervous as I can pull my foreskin back but not when it's erect what should I do?
I can just see the end of my penis and I'm 13. I am worried because I can't pull it back fully but all my friends can. What do I do
im 13 and i cannot pull my foreskin back. im scared that if i pull my foreskin back that it will hurt. i am aware that i have tight foreskin but it isnt affecting my everyday life. will this all sort itself out or shall i do something about it. just a sort of side not, i am in the middle of puberty.
Dont Worry about it! I had the same problem at thirteen! (I'm 14 now) just do small stretching pull it back until it doesn't hurt but you feel it stretch. My doc told me to go back to the doctor if I have the same problem at 15-16! Good Luck!
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