Phimosis, i've always had it, do I need it resolved?

[surreyboy]

I discovered for the first time recently that I suffer from Phimosis. I am unable to retract my foreskin over the head when flacid or erect. I never have been able to, this is normal to me.

It has never bothered me. I didn't even realise it was a problem until I went to a sexual health clinic and examined for another reason and they described the issue to me.

So my question is, do I need to get this looked at? I am 35 years old and it has never caused me an issue. It doesn't effect my sex life and my long term partner has never mentioned it, so is probably also none the wiser!

My only concern is that it may cause issues later on. So does anyone live with this without the need for treatment?

[Hidden]

As you are unable to clean under the foreskin, you are probably at greater risk of development by an infection. Have a chat with your GP if you need further information. nhs.uk/conditions/phimosis/

[surreyboy in reply to Hidden]

Not easily. I think I will go see a GP once we are back to some sort of normality to discuss my options.

[Hidden in reply to surreyboy]

Great choice. I hope that the consultation goes well once it happens.

[GravityGuy]

Depends how tight it is too, mine is so tight that it my whole foreskin balloons up when i pee, its much more prone to infection, im 32 and im finally getting the cut on saturday, my girlfriend is supportive of it as it limits what we can do sexually because it causes me pain after a while.

If you have none of this trouble and youre able to pee n shoot cum fine without restriction and never get infections then its not absolutely necessary for circumcision, maybe you could try stretching it with a steroid cream.

[xhardwarex]

In terms of hygiene and potential long-term health issues, it's pretty important to be able to retract.

[Nicku6843]

I had phimosis all my life I am 25 I got cut last year and life is soooo much better now so what ever you go through during the recovery process just know it’s worth it!

[Hidden in reply to Nicku6843]

That I very true

[surreyboy in reply to Nicku6843]

So what issues did it cause you before, and in what way is it so much better now? I am intrigued as it doesn't cause me an issue.

[Nicku6843 in reply to surreyboy]

sex was uncomfortable, it was unenjoyable. Also I damaged The foreskin from having sex. Started bleeding a little but it was very painful. After hurting it that one time it became a recurring every time i masterbated/sex the fore skin would get damaged and it would hurt for a few days the skin would start peeling and it would smell really bad. And after surgery It felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. No more bad smell, no more pain, sex was amazing, masterbation is great, no more worrying about tearing my foreskin. I went my whole life never telling anyone i had phimosis I wish I told my parents as soon as I found out. All my kids will be circumcised if/when I get kids lol. Wouldn’t want them to Go through what I did. Also at first It wasn’t a problem until I damaged the foreskin that one time. after that it never fully recovered.

[surreyboy in reply to Nicku6843]

Thank you for the reply. I haven't encountered those issues, but I will keep that in mind if it happens.

[Nicku6843 in reply to surreyboy]

Ya I was the same for a while, that’s why I never went through with it in the beginning. But if it’s not bothering you. Now would be a perfect time to start stretching to avoid being circumcised. You still need to get in there and clean!

[jimfromcalif]

If it's never been a problem, don't make it one.

[Corymcmeekin]

I am similar in some ways. I am 32 and have been retracting my foreskin when flaccid for cleaning etc since about 14. However, my foreskin cannot retract while erect which I thought was normal until recently. It only became a problem in my mind when I found out about it. It has never affected me sexually and I have 2 kids, however we mostly have sex with a condom so that makes it easier. I am the same as you and wonder is it a problem or not.

[surreyboy]

It causes me no issues so I definitely wouldn't want to rush into circumcision.

[Hidden in reply to surreyboy]

Totally agree

[Hidden]

Without wishing to frighten you, statistically you have a better than average risk of developing penile cancer whilst being unable to retract and observe personal hygiene. Just fact-check it.

[GravityGuy]

How tight is the foreskin? Can you see your glans through the peehole? If not at all, then like the others say, you should start stretching, at least so you can clean inside a bit, my hole is way to small and ive had no success stretching and is why im getting cut plus the reasons i mentioned in my earlier comment, if you get any problems just see a urologist straight away, ive gone through over twenty years of pain cos i was too embarrassed to tell anyone, i wish id manned up and sorted this years ago.

[surreyboy]

Thanks for all your replies. I will go to a doctor once the pressure is off the NHS due to Coronavirus.

[robradharc]

I had mine cut last year after years of it been stuck. Constant infections. Peeing sitting down cause it went all over the place. Sometimes a smell, Itchy, Sore and trips to the doctor for antibiotics. Glad i am well past that. Women react way better to a circumsized penis. Its worth the cost. Even with insurance it was still 5k in US.

[jiujitsu69]

Hello, what did you decide in the end? I am in my early 30s now and having the same feelings. I thought about steroid creams and stretching.