Foreskin Pain and Phimosis - Dealing with a Sticky Penis Problem

For most uncircumcised men, the foreskin is a great addition to their equipment, but a small percentage experience foreskin pain caused by the condition known as phimosis. For those so afflicted, extra steps need to be taken to ensure maximum penis health and a more enjoyable sensual experience.

What is phimosis?

In most men, the foreskin is easily able to retract over the glans of the penis once they reach a certain degree of maturity; certainly by adulthood, and most often during puberty. However, male babies are born with the foreskin in a naturally non-retractable state. This non-retractable state is to ensure proper health and safety for the glans as it develops.

When a man has phimosis, however, the foreskin is too tight and doesn’t begin to retract as he reaches maturity. This can cause significant penis pain, especially during sexual activity.

What causes it?

Sometimes the foreskin becomes too tight because the glans gets swollen, due to balinitis or another form of inflammation. Diabetics may experience the disorder (especially if the diabetes is undetected or untreated) due to a build-up of sugar in the urine. It’s also possible that injuries to the penis, due to unusual or aggressive sexual activity may cause phimosis by creating an unwelcome layer of scar tissue; however, many men engage in physically challenging sexual exercises without causing this foreskin issue, so pinpointing when, why and how this activity causes phimosis is next to impossible. Scar tissue can also develop from aggressively pulling back the foreskin.

Some doctors also believe that phimosis may result from the glans having an allergic reaction to certain chemicals, especially in the soap or laundry detergent that a man uses. Similarly, yeast infections, if left untreated for too long, can bring about a swollen glans and the resulting phimosis.

Finally, as in so many things, there may be a genetic component to this foreskin disorder.

Easing the pain

There are several options for treating this condition:

1. Stretching the foreskin is recommended as a primary method of dealing with phimosis. This involves lubricating the foreskin and gently stretching it open. The goal is not to force the glans out immediately, but to over time create a more flexible foreskin opening.

2. The use of topical creams is very common in treating phimosis. Often a doctor will recommend that a common steroid cream be used.

3. In addition, doctors seek to treat the underlying condition that is causing the glans to swell to such an extent. Anti-fungal creams and anti-bacterial medicines may be employed for this purpose, as well as antibiotics if an STD is present and contributing to the issue. Hopefully, the doctor can pinpoint what has caused this inflammation and recommend steps to prevent its recurrence.

4. In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary to "open up" the foreskin and let the glans through; however, this is necessary only in rare cases.

While treatment is ongoing, many men find it best to avoid sexual activity; the erect penis can be in significant pain during extreme phimosis, both from the tightness of the foreskin and from soreness caused by the rubbing of the inflamed glans during sexual activity.

The penis pain caused by phimosis is not something that a man should endure; fortunately, afflicted men can get some relief from the discomfort and soreness through the use of a superior penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). Men should make sure that the chosen cream includes vitamin A, as it has anti-bacterial qualities that can help to fight the cause of infection or inflammation in many instances. At the same time, a cream that provides proper penile hydration through ingredients such as vitamin E and shea butter is recommended; the moisturizing not only soothes the penis but helps to make the foreskin more hospitable to retraction efforts.