Phimosis
Phimosis (Latin name)By Bjarne Lühr Hansen PhD, MD and Philipp Skafte-Holm MD, Mentor Institute
Phimosis is a common condition where the foreskin of the penis cannot be drawn back far enough for the head of the penis to appear. Only rarely are boys bothered and with far the most, the phimosis disappears before puberty. Only boys especially bothered should be offered treatment. The treatment consists of application of a crème on the penis or operation.
Phimosis means that the foreskin of the penis cannot be drawn back far enough for the head of the penis to appear. Many parent are anxious that it can become dangerous and uncomfortable for the boys but phimosis with children is not an illness and is mostly of a bother to the parents.
Phimosis is a common condition. At birth 95% of all boys’ foreskin cannot be drawn fully back. In the course of the first 3 years, most boys outgrow the condition and when they are ready for school, only around 8% still has phimosis.
Phimosis can – but does not necessarily – cause different nuisances. The most frequent nuisance is increased spreading of the jet of urine (bother the cleaner more than the boy) and inflammation under the foreskin. Inflammation under the foreskin appears as swelling, warmth, redness and soreness on the tip of the penis.
Phimosis should not be treated at any cost. Only children who are significantly bothered – and this is very few – should be offered treatment. The most significant reason for avoiding treatment is that phimosis only rarely causes any serious nuisances and that very frequently, the condition disappears by itself. If phimosis till puberty, it can lead to pain in connection with erection – in those cases, the illness should of course be treated.
Treatment of phimosis consists of balloon-peeing, application of crème or operation.