Causes of Phimosis
Phimosis can be caused by failure of foreskin to loosen during growth, infections such as balinitis, deformities caused by
trauma and diseases of the genitals.
Symptoms of Phimosis
Phimosis is usually painless condition. Infection may result from an inability to carry out effective cleaning of the area in
which case swelling, redness and discharge may all be present making the area tender and painful. A very tight foreskin can
cause problems during intercourse, urination.
Paraphimosis
An inability to pull back the foreskin into position over the head of the penis can cause pain, swelling of the head of the
penis and the foreskin. It may cause restricted blood flow, causing the head of the penis to become dark purple in color. If
this should occur emergency treatment is required.
Deciding on treatment
Medical opinion differs on the condition and on treatment. It has been suggested that any radical or surgical treatments for
phimosis should not be done until after puberty. This has partly come about because of the reaction to the over use of
circumcision as a mainstream treatment for phimosis. It has also been reported by bodies such as CIRP that significant
numbers of doctors are unable to recognise normal developmental tight prepuce and pathological phimosis. It is believed that
many unnecessary circumcisions are performed because of current medical practice and misdiagnosis of phimosis. Balanitis xeroticia obliterans has been sited as one of the only causes of phimosis that should lead to a surgical
circumcision.