Most male babies are born with what's called physiological phimosis, which is when the glans and foreskin haven't separated. The tight foreskin typically resolves itself in adolescents, but not always.
Some of the causes of tight foreskin include age, balanitis, and STIs.
The symptoms of tight foreskin include redness of the penis, pain during urination, and pain when the penis is erect.
Most sources note that the higher sensitivity of tight foreskin may lead to premature ejaculation. But there's no current research that has proven this theory.
We’ll go over what you need to know about tight foreskin and how it can be treated.
Consult a medical professional if you struggle with a tight foreskin. It can be due to an underlying issue, including a serious infection.
Age
A tight foreskin is something most young males have at birth. Circumcision is the most common treatment. In young boys not circumcised, physiological phimosis usually resolves itself by the time they are seven years old.
Balanitis
Balanitis is skin irritation and is relatively common in males that aren't circumcised. The hallmark signs are redness, itching, and swelling of the head of the penis.
The glans and foreskin being inflamed results in the foreskin being tighter. Balanitis may also cause discomfort or pain when urinating.
Fortunately, it can be treated and prevented with good hygiene. Wash the penis with lukewarm water and gentle soap daily. Be sure to dry it off after showering, bathing, and urinating.
Doctors sometimes prescribe topical creams or antibiotics to treat balanitis.
STIs
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause skin infections like balanitis. A few of them include:
Genital herpes: Symptoms include pain and blisters on the penis and sometimes the scrotum.
Gonorrhea: It can lead to symptoms of balanitis, including redness, swelling, testicle pain, discharge, and too-frequent urination.
Syphilis: It can cause infection and inflammation that leads to a tight foreskin.
Eczema
One of the most common skin conditions is atopic dermatitis or eczema. It's a long-term issue and is treated with corticosteroid creams and other prescribed medications to help manage symptoms.
Eczema has different triggers for every person and requires consultation with a medical professional to avoid flare-ups. Sometimes changing soaps or how you dry off can resolve a tight foreskin caused by atopic dermatitis.
Other skin conditions that cause tight foreskin
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition and can cause dry patches of skin that may appear crusty.
Lichen planus is a noncontagious skin condition that's itchy and presents as shiny and flat bumps on the penis.
Lichen sclerosis can cause white patches to appear on the foreskin and sometimes the glans.
Balanoposthitis
Balanoposthitis happens when the glans and the foreskin gets inflamed, which makes it tighter. In most cases, the yeast infection, candidiasis, is to blame.
But bacteria and other diseases can lead to balanoposthitis. Antibacterial topical creams and antifungals are the standard treatment for balanoposthitis.
Symptoms of Tight Foreskin
Phimosis can come with a variety of symptoms.
Discoloration or redness of the penis
Pain when urinating
Pain when the penis is erect or during sexual activity
Inflammation
Soreness
Treatment
As mentioned earlier, phimosis in childhood usually resolves itself and doesn't require any further treatment. Pathological phimosis, or secondary phimosis, does require treatment.
Medical professionals commonly suggest using steroid creams and oral antibiotics.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications containing hydrocortisone can sometimes alleviate symptoms of a tight foreskin. And ibuprofen and Tylenol help reduce inflammation.
Medical professionals may teach you how to loosen foreskin by gently stretching it.
A surgeon may recommend circumcision. The procedure removes the foreskin and frees the glans.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue among men of all ages. The causes can range from mental to physical.
However, when a tight foreskin leads to ED, you will want to consult a medical professional. Having a tight foreskin can lead to painful intercourse and can up the chances of injury.
An injured penis may lead to bending and other penile deformities linked to ED. It’s important not to try to retract the foreskin forcibly during sex.
It can cause paraphimosis, which is when the foreskin gets trapped in a retracted position. The stress and anxiety of struggling with a tight foreskin may also make it hard to achieve an erection.
Does a tight foreskin cause premature ejaculation?
Most sources suggest that because of high sensitivity with tight foreskin, it may be a cause of premature ejaculation.
Nonetheless, there are no studies or research that definitively conclude that. But if premature ejaculation is an issue that those with tight foreskin are experiencing, it may be worth exploring topical treatments such as Promescent Delay Spray for Men to manage it.
Physiological phimosis in young males is congenital and not preventable. But it's up to parents or caregivers to clean an uncircumcised penis thoroughly and teach the child to care for themselves to prevent physiologic phimosis.
Pull back the foreskin gently as far as you can.
Clean underneath the foreskin using mild soap and warm water.
Thoroughly rinse the soap from the foreskin.
Completely dry the genital area.
Stretch the foreskin back over the penis' head.
If you suspect an infection or experience inflammation, contact a medical professional. It requires proper treatment to reduce the risk of scarring and other complications that can lead to phimosis.
Don'ts
In newborns and young males, don't pull back the foreskin. It can be excruciating and do damage that can lead to a tight foreskin or other penile issues later in life.
Don't ignore tight, swollen, or painful foreskin. Other severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention are bleeding around the foreskin, thick discharge, or an unpleasant odor. Whether it's you or your child, a visit to the GP can prevent long-term problems.
Avoid using perfumed soap, talcum powders, or deodorants on the penis. Artificial scents and fragrances can cause skin irritation that may lead to phimosis.
Takeaways
Physiological phimosis occurs naturally in male newborns. It's referred to as physiologic phimosis when it doesn't resolve itself with age.
The causes of a tight foreskin can range from skin infections to STIs. If it goes untreated, it can cause sexual dysfunction.
Properly washing and drying your genitals is the easiest and more effective way to prevent the tightening of the foreskin.
Most importantly, circumcision is not the only how to fix tight foreskin. Doctors often prescribe steroidal ointments and medications for the causes and symptoms.
And delay spray containing lidocaine addressed premature ejaculation due to a tight foreskin.
Our team has over a decade of experience in the sexual wellness field and are experts in sexual dysfunctions, like premature ejaculation. We help couples and individuals better understand treatment options available for different types of sexual needs and educate the public on all things related to intimacy. All of our authored content is medically reviewed for accuracy and reliability.
Sources:
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