Tight foreskin or Phimosis ? - Men's Health Message Board

mishky · 09-23-2002, 03:42 AM

Hi guys this is my first post to this forum but it looks very helpful and there is a subject that has been of some concern to me for a while, I hope you can help.
I'm 33 y.o and cannot pull the foreskin on my penis fully back when erect so that it fully retracts behind the head. I looked on the net about this and it seems to be a condition called Phimosis however I have never really been aggressive with my penis when growing up so I'm thinking maybe I just haven't fully stretched the foreskin as is supposed to be done in developing children. When it's not erect I have no problems pulling it back it's only when fully erect can I not pull the foreskin back fully.
Does this sound like Phimosis or maybe should I do some exercises to stretch my foreskin to it's proper elasticity. I don't know too much about this subject as I've never discussed it with anyone so feel a little confused.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. thanks

Geoff B · 09-23-2002, 04:46 AM

Tight foreskin and phimosis are the same thing. Because you can fully retract when flacid and can retract some of the way when erect, you have a very mild case that should be easily corrected by stretching. What you do is put two fingers into the foreskin opening and gently pull outwards so that the opening feels stretched as far as it can but not painful. Do this a few times in a row and hold it for a minute or two at a time. Alternatively you can pull it as far back as you can when erect and hold it there for a minute or two. Be careful not to get the foreskin stuck behind the head when erect though as this can cause a medical emergency. If it does get stuck squeeze the head firmly to force the blood causing the erection out of the head and ease the foreskin forward. If you try this several times and it's still stuck see a doctor or hospital straight away. Leaving it will just make it worse. This is unlikely to happen but it's best to warn you. If you do the stretching using one of these methods you should notice some improvement within a week or two. Once it gets loose enough you have to keep up the stretching for a month or two to let the skin grow more cells and stay that size. Otherwise it's a simple process.

mishky · 09-24-2002, 10:59 PM

Thanks for the information. I had been doing some research on the internet and found some similar information. I will have to give the stretching methods you mentioned a try and I will keep in mind your caution.

Geoff B · 09-27-2002, 05:06 AM

We have had guys report positive results on this board stretching and there are heaps of guys reporting positive results on other forums. The steroid cream is useful but only works in conjunction with the stretching. It will speed things up but won't do anything on its own. It's a prescription only medication. It's called betamethazone, the stronger one is better if possible and ointment is preferable to cream. Use a very tiny amount on the tight part only.
I forgot to mention that some guys have used stretching decives to keep up the stretching for long periods. They use smooth cylindrical objects inserted into the foreskin opening and work up to a 35mm film canister, inserted and taped in position. You can even cut out the end and be able to pee through it. Make sure there are no sharp edges if you try this though. Many guys don't want to try this because of the sensitivity of their glans but others report fast results with it. The other methods I mentioned will work as well but just take a little longer.

mishky · 10-03-2002, 03:19 AM

I just wanted to say that after a week of doing the stretching suggested I am having really positive results. It really does work. Thanks again GeoffB for your further suggestions, I will give them a try.