Is phimosis serious?

Aug 22, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Cao Zhiqiang

Introduction

In general, phimosis refers to a condition where the foreskin is too long or too tight to be fully retracted, preventing complete exposure of the glans penis. The severity of phimosis should be determined based on its specific type and the extent of its impact on the patient's daily life. If discomfort occurs, such as pain, redness, swelling, or difficulty urinating, prompt medical attention is recommended. In daily life, it is important to maintain genital hygiene and avoid accumulation of dirt.

Generally, phimosis refers to a condition in which the foreskin is excessively long or tight, making it impossible to fully retract and expose the glans penis. The severity of phimosis must be determined according to its specific type and the degree of impact on the patient's life. If discomfort occurs, such as pain, redness, swelling, or difficulty urinating, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If it is physiological phimosis, commonly seen in infants and young children, it is characterized by a relatively loose foreskin opening, normal urination, and no recurring infections or pain. This condition can gradually improve with age and is generally not serious, causing no significant impact on health. It does not require special treatment, only regular observation.

If it is pathological phimosis, the foreskin opening is severely narrowed, making it impossible to retract the foreskin to expose the glans penis, leading to difficulty urinating, urine retention, or recurring balanitis or posthitis, with symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and increased secretions. This type is relatively severe. Long-term persistence may affect the development of the genital organs and even increase the risk of urinary tract infections, requiring timely intervention.

In daily life, it is important to maintain genital hygiene and avoid accumulation of dirt. If tightness or narrowing of the foreskin opening, abnormal urination, or recurring inflammation is noticed, timely consultation at a formal hospital is necessary, where a doctor will assess whether surgical treatment is required. Never forcibly retract the foreskin by oneself, as this may cause injury or infection.

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Phimosis but can be fully retracted - what's the situation?

Excessively long foreskin can lead to long-term accumulation of secretions between the foreskin and glans, causing mild adhesions. This presents as phimosis but with the ability to fully retract the foreskin, accompanied by symptoms such as localized itching and odor. Treatment involves daily cleansing with warm water and the use of erythromycin ointment, mupirocin ointment, and compound cortex phellodendri lotion as directed by a physician, to prevent infection and promote separation of the adhesions.

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How to resolve phimosis with entrapment on one's own

In general, after the occurrence of paraphimosis, manual reduction, cold compress to reduce swelling, application of lubricants, gentle traction of the foreskin, and adjustment of body position may be attempted to relieve the condition by oneself. However, these measures are only applicable to mild cases without significant ischemia. Paraphimosis is a medical emergency, and self-management is only suitable for the early stage of onset and cases with mild symptoms.

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Can a person with phimosis have sexual intercourse?

Whether individuals with phimosis can engage in sexual intercourse depends on the specific circumstances. If the phimosis is mild and there are no significant discomfort symptoms in daily life, sexual activity may generally be acceptable. However, if the phimosis is severe or accompanied by symptoms such as pain or abnormal urination, sexual intercourse is usually not recommended to avoid worsening symptoms or causing other complications. To maintain reproductive health, individuals with phimosis should practice proper hygiene and care in daily life.

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How much does the surgery for concealed penis cost?

The surgical treatment for concealed penis is a therapeutic approach that corrects penile encapsulation issues and improves local function through surgery. The general reference price range is 3000–9000 yuan. Gradual recovery usually takes 2–4 weeks post-surgery. The exact cost depends on factors such as the surgical method, regional economic level, preoperative examination items, postoperative care requirements, and the type of surgical consumables used.