So I have this issue where it's uncomfortable to retract my foreskin over the head..

[iguessimlost]

I'm 17 for a start. for a few years I've noticed that I can't actually retract my foreskin over the head (glanis?) and if I try I experience a lot of discomfort..

I've only had one sexual experience with another person once with oral due to insecurities n whatever, but damn I'd be lying if I said it wasn't uncomfortable almost to a point of pain for some reason.. and as you can probably imagine it's beginning to really put me off of that kinda stuff for the future because i feel totally lost with it.

I don't know what's wrong, I don't know if it's too tight or something else. I'm too insecure to go and get it looked at and I don't really know who to go to or really what to do.

can anyone give me any suggestions as of what to do or what it could be? I don't really know who to go to so I'm hoping this can help a bit.. cheers

[sxlp]

Hi I’m 18 and have the same problem. It sounds like you’re describing “phimosis” this is when the foreskin is too tight to retract. How far can you retract the skin back?

[iguessimlost in reply to sxlp]

not that far without it hurting or feeling uncomfortable.. so not even all the way over the head

[sxlp in reply to iguessimlost]

Yeah, that’s the same with me. You can always try stretching it in a warm shower. Here’s some exercises you can try: google.com.au/amp/s/www.wik....

Make sure you stop stretching if it starts to hurt. You can also use a steroid cream while stretching which should help more but you will need a prescription from a doctor. If you’ve tried all you can and aren’t getting any results I’d suggest looking to get a circumcision. I hope everything goes well for you.

[Hidden]

nhs.uk/conditions/phimosis/

[roddythescot]

A significant number of uncircumcised men suffer from phimosis - a tight and non-retractable foreskin. Phimosis will not cure itself and so you need to see a doctor about it as soom as possoble.

Your parents ought to have taught you to retract daily and wash under the foreskin to remove all the waste matter that collects there. Failing to do so leads to serious infections and nasty odours.

Don't be embarrassed about seeing a doctor - they will have seen it all before! Remember too that embarrassment is never fatal, whereas ignoring a problem can be.

[iguessimlost in reply to roddythescot]

It's probably a stupid question but is there a way to talk about this stuff with someone without going into the doctor? it's not necessarily embarrassment it's just moreso anxiety..

honestly I didn't know it was a 'significant number', that's kinda odly comforting as everything I've seen about it said it only really occured within young children.

[b35536 in reply to iguessimlost]

Doctors see lots of cases like this. This isn't any different from going to a doctor for a flu or strep throat.

They'll check it out and let you know. If it's a problem they'll give you the solution.

To reduce anxiety, go to a male doctor if that helps, but honestly male or female, doctors don't care, they've seen hundreds of cases like yours.

Don't hesitate.

[roddythescot in reply to iguessimlost]

In the current pandemic situation, lots of doctors are doing telephone or video consultations. You may find it easier to talk to one that way rather than face to face.

If you are anxious about what the doctor may find wrong or might recommend, then in fact it is even more important to talk to him. Simply hiding a problem will not make it go away, but can result in it getting worse with a more drastic solution required.