Patient's question:
Medical Description: My glans is covered by the foreskin. When it is soft, I can retract it without any sensation, and it is normal. When it becomes hard, the glans is still covered, and only a little part of it comes out. I cannot retract the foreskin because the opening of the foreskin is small. I don't know if this is phimosis or paraphimosis?History of Treatment and Effect: No treatment has been done.
Desired Help: Is this phimosis or paraphimosis? How should it be treated?
Doctor's answer:
Hello! If the foreskin cannot expose the glans and remains covered, it may be phimosis, which is one of the common developmental abnormalities. If phimosis is not treated, it can affect the quality of sexual life. Additionally, it can easily accumulate smegma, and prolonged irritation may cause inflammation, potentially leading to penile cancer. It can also increase the risk of cervical cancer in women. Phimosis can cause urinary and reproductive system infections, affect genital development, and requires early surgical treatment. In general, if the foreskin is too long or if it is pseudo-phimosis and proper hygiene is maintained, surgery may not be necessary. However, the fact that your glans cannot pass smoothly through the foreskin opening during erection may impact your future life. Therefore, it is still recommended that you undergo a circumcision.