Patient's question:
My foreskin can retract to the corona but it doesn't come down easily. Usually, it covers the penis. Is this phimosis?Doctor's answer:
Phimosis is not uncommon in boys because the foreskin opening is narrow, tightly wrapping the glans penis so that it cannot be retracted to expose the glans. Most boys are born with phimosis, but it is often not given much attention by parents. As they grow older, the penis and glans penis also enlarge, the adhesion between the foreskin and glans penis gradually absorbs, and boys frequently experience erections (which is equivalent to artificially retracting the glans penis), causing the foreskin to naturally retract backward and gradually expose the glans penis, thereby resolving phimosis.Some children have mild phimosis, but there is slight adhesion between the foreskin and glans penis. For such cases, parents should regularly retract the foreskin to enlarge the opening and clean the exposed area if there is any discharge. After retracting the foreskin, it should be returned to its original position immediately, otherwise, the retracted foreskin may trap the glans penis, leading to necrosis of the foreskin. After a period of treatment, the adhesion can be completely separated, allowing the glans penis to be fully exposed.
Sometimes phimosis is very severe, with the foreskin unable to retract backward at all, tightly enclosing the glans penis, and even the urethral meatus may not be visible. Such cases will require surgery in the future. If congenital phimosis does not resolve by the age of 4-5, circumcision may be performed.