Patient's question:
When not erect, my foreskin covers the glans, and I can flip it out with my hand to expose the entire glans. However, when erect, the glans still doesn't fully show, but I can flip it out with my hand. However, the foreskin is attached to the middle of the glans, making it impossible to flip it completely. What should I do? I'm afraid to have surgery. What kind of help do I need: What are the harms of phimosis in women?Doctor's answer:
1 A phimosis refers to a condition where the foreskin opening is too small, making it impossible for the foreskin to retract and reveal the glans penis; while a prolonged foreskin means the foreskin covers the entire glans penis, but the foreskin opening is actually not small enough to retract and reveal the glans penis. In infants and young children, a prolonged foreskin is often physiological. It can only be termed phimosis or a prolonged foreskin if the glans penis remains hidden after reaching puberty.2 When phimosis or a prolonged foreskin occurs, the smegma secreted by the sebaceous glands of the foreskin cannot be properly expelled, gradually forming foul-smelling smegma. Smegma provides a suitable environment for bacterial growth, which can lead to inflammation of the glans penis and foreskin.
3 If phimosis is not treated in time, the glans penis will remain tightly locked by the foreskin for a long period, potentially causing poor penile development after puberty and affecting sexual life. If the foreskin is forcibly retracted and cannot return to its original position, it may result in an (strangulated foreskin), and in severe cases, it can lead to purulent infection of the glans penis.