The male penis consists of two corpus cavernosum and one corpus spongiosum. In front, it ends with a head, which, when resting, is covered by a skin duplication /preputium/. Sebaceous glands are located in it, the functional product of which, together with the desquamated flat epithelial cells, form the smegma. Phimosis is a condition expressed in the impossibility of the foreskin, when pulled by hand, to expose the head of the penis. This is a risk factor predisposing to the development of an inflammatory process. The foreskin may be small and immediately cover the glans. It can be with a small or large, but narrowed opening. It can be congenital or acquired – after traumatic damage to the skin of the penis or adhesion after a strong pulling of the skin in infancy. What disorders can Phimosis lead to? It can cause disruption of normal intercourse by causing pain and/or restricting the growth of the penis. Disturbances in urination – Depending on the degree of narrowing of the orifice, urination may be difficult and the stream of urine may be thin. When urinating, the patient feels the need to “strain” as the urine is released in a thin stream. The process may take 1-2 minutes. In children, phimosis is likely to be the cause of bedwetting. As a result of retention of urine and smegma, unpleasant, long-lasting inflammatory diseases can develop. Last but not least, phimosis is a prerequisite for the development of paraphimosis. In long-term phimosis, although very rarely, it is possible to notice malignant hyperplasia on the head of the penis. NEWS_MORE_BOX Who can we turn to for help? If the skin on the head of the penis is firmly tightened, which often in itself is a prerequisite for the development of infections and difficulty urinating, it is necessary to refer the patient to a consultation with a urologist. The most likely treatment for these problems is surgery. Treatment In the presence of an inflammatory process, it is necessary to eliminate it first. Most little boys can be treated with creams containing corticosteroids. If this does not help, small surgical incisions are made to release the glans.
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