OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Guidance on Penile Health Issues

3/23/2025, 7:30:22 AMMale25-34

Struggling with phimosis, frenulum breve, or redundant foreskin? Greetings everyone! I’m reaching out for advice regarding a personal concern that I’m unsure about. To give you some background, I am uncircumcised and about a year ago, I discovered that my foreskin was supposed to pull back, a concept I was entirely oblivious to until recently. Admittedly, that might sound odd, but upon realizing this, I began to gently pull it back while soft, and eventually I could do so when soft, although I still faced difficulties when erect. In my quest for solutions, I conducted some research, performed stretching exercises, and acquired phimosis rings, which I believe have shown some improvement. Now, I can retract my foreskin when erect, but only with a gentle pull. I was informed that it should retract naturally when erect and remain that way, which isn’t happening for me. When I cautiously pull back the foreskin during an erection, I can see my glans, but if I release it, the skin seems to creep back, covering my glans partially, perhaps about halfway, leading me to suspect I might have an excess of foreskin. It seems I may have transitioned from having tight skin to having too much of it. I should note that since addressing this issue, I haven’t been intimate, so I am uncertain whether the foreskin would retract and move naturally during sexual activity. Any insights or guidance you may provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! (23-year-old male, height 5'9”, not on medication, does not smoke or consume alcohol)

AgingLifestyle ChangesFamily Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

3/23/2025, 7:30:40 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's great that you're seeking advice on your concerns about phimosis, frenulum breve, and redundant foreskin. These issues can be distressing, but there are strategies that can help improve your situation.

Summary of Key Points:

  1. Understanding Your Symptoms: You’ve made progress in retracting your foreskin, but it still doesn’t stay back naturally during an erection.
  2. Self-Care Steps: You can continue with gentle stretching and using phimosis rings, as these may help.
  3. Recognizing When to Seek Further Help: If you experience pain during retraction or persistent issues, a healthcare professional can provide tailored advice.

Explanation:

Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted over the glans (the head of the penis). It can be present from birth or develop over time. In your case, it sounds like you've been successful in gradually increasing your retraction ability, which is a positive sign. Your observation about the foreskin creeping back when you relax is not uncommon and may indicate that some anatomical factors are influencing this.

Next Steps:

  1. Continue Gentle Stretching: Regularly practice pulling back your foreskin gently, both when soft and erect, to maintain flexibility. This should be a gradual and non-painful process.

  2. Maintain Hygiene: It's crucial to clean the area gently, especially under the foreskin, to prevent any infections, which can complicate phimosis.

  3. Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to any discomfort, pain, or changes during sexual arousal or intimacy. If you sense that these issues may start affecting your sexual health or experience, consider how it affects your confidence and quality of life.

  4. Potential Sexual Activity: Once you feel comfortable with retraction, you may want to try intimate contact. It's important to be aware of how the foreskin behaves during sexual activity, as significant issues may become apparent at that time.

  5. Seek Professional Advice if Necessary: If you continue to experience difficulties, pain, or if your concerns about the amount of foreskin persist, consider consulting a urologist. They can evaluate your condition further and discuss options such as circumcision or other medical interventions if needed.

Remember, it’s entirely normal for individuals to have varying experiences with their anatomy, and taking a step-by-step approach will help you manage your situation more effectively. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further details!

Related Questions

Interpretation Request for Recent Spinal NM Bone Scan

Hello, doctors. I'm reaching out for your insights regarding a recent NM bone scan of my spine. I've previously undergone a similar scan in 2022, and I'd like to compare the two. To provide context, I am a 29-year-old female weighing 100 kg, and I've been diagnosed with conditions including endplate sclerosis, spinal stenosis, cervical bone spurs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and mild scoliosis. My medication regimen consists of several prescriptions. Unfortunately, my next appointment with my general practitioner is still a few weeks away, so I would appreciate your assessments on how the latest scan compares to the previous one. Thank you in advance for your help!

AgingWellnessFamily Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Unexpected Eye Issues: Headache and Double Vision Concerns

A 33-year-old female, measuring 1.67 meters in height and weighing 55 kilograms, residing in the Netherlands, experienced a sudden onset of symptoms. Last evening, shortly after dinner, my partner complained of a slight headache localized at the rear of her head. Along with this discomfort, she encountered double vision and noticed her right eye deviating outward. Interestingly, when she shut either eye, the double vision resolved, enabling her to see without distortion. We rushed her to the emergency room later that night. The medical team conducted a variety of assessments, including physical examinations, neurological evaluations, visual tests, and laboratory analyses. Fortunately, all results were normal. However, the doctors found it peculiar that her right eye exhibited normal movement and accurately tracked a pen in all directions when her left eye was closed. The medical opinion suggested that it may be a migraine-related episode, a condition she has experienced previously. Nonetheless, she insists that this feels unlike any migraine she has had in the past. A teleconsultation with a neurologist is scheduled for Monday to arrange an MRI should the symptoms continue. The doctors advised that if her symptoms worsen, we should return to the hospital immediately. Fortunately, after a night's rest, her vision had returned to normal by morning, the headache had subsided, and her right eye was aligned properly. I am understandably concerned, particularly due to her assertion that this does not resemble a typical migraine. Is it possible that this is indeed a migraine, or could it be indicative of another underlying issue? Thank you for your attention to this matter.

AgingWellnessPreventive Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Unusual Wave Patterns in ECG: Potential Artifacts in Lead V6

Upon examining the ECG readings, I've noticed peculiar double wave formations appearing between the QRS complex and the T wave in lead V6. This is new to me, as I have never encountered such patterns before. Could these be classified as artifacts?

Family MedicineInternal MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Unexplained Bruises on My Right Hand – Seeking Advice

I've noticed some unusual bruising on my right hand over the past month. Strangely enough, they don't hurt at all. Should I be concerned about this? It's quite puzzling to see these random marks without any apparent cause.

WellnessFamily MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
3 hours ago

Intense Pain in Left Thumb

Greetings, I’ve been experiencing a piercing pain at the tip of my left thumb intermittently. This discomfort is situated within the thumb rather than on the outer skin. It primarily affects the underside of the thumb and surrounds the base of the nail. The pain seems to extend only to the first skin fold, specifically around the distal phalanx. When applying pressure, I’ve noticed some red streaks appearing beneath the surface, alongside the white area. I trust this explanation is clear. This issue has persisted for over a year, occurring sporadically but intensifying as time has passed. Could this be a cause for concern? A bit about myself: I am a 25-year-old female with no significant medical issues in my background. I previously smoked cigarettes for three years, transitioned to vaping, and have been vaping for six years now. I maintain an active lifestyle, frequently going to the gym and participating in various sports such as indoor football and pickleball. I don’t have any known allergies.

AgingLifestyle ChangesPreventive Medicine
Male25-34
4 hours ago