Phimosis

Overview :

The foreskin of a newborn boy is always closely contracted around the penis head (glans). Only a small passage allows the urine to pass through. In the first months the foreskin is stuck to the glans and cannot be pulled back and one should not attempt to do so. During the first couple of years, the foreskin will become gradually looser and in many boys it can in time be pulled back without trouble. Half of all three-year-olds can pull back their foreskin. It is not advisable to try pulling the foreskin back using force, since this may cause small cuts in the foreskin with scars which could finally cause a regular foreskin contraction.

Foreskin contraction, called phimosis, can last throughout life and not cause any trouble at all. It is a voluntary decision whether to have a circumcision operation or not. If any problems do arise, they happen after puberty. The contraction may occur for the first time as an adult and usually requires circumcision, the surgical removal of the foreskin.