Phimosis consists of the inability or difficulty to fully retract the foreskin—the skin covering the end of the penis—in order to fully expose the glans (the head of the penis). Although it is a very common condition in childhood, in adult men, phimosis is considered pathological.
In adults, phimosis often arises as an acquired condition secondary to recurrent fungal or bacterial infections (balanoposthitis) or due to a chronic dermatological pathology called Lichen Sclerosus, which creates a ring of whitish, rigid, and inelastic scar tissue on the foreskin, preventing its retraction.
The presence of phimosis in adults entails several problems that justify a consultation with a urologist:
Often confused with phimosis, a short penile frenulum (or short frenulum of the foreskin) affects the small fold of elastic skin that connects the underside of the glans to the foreskin. When the frenulum is excessively short, during an erection or sexual intercourse, the skin is severely stretched, pulling the head of the penis downward uncomfortably. This excessive tension often causes the **rupture or tearing of the frenulum** during intercourse, causing profuse and bright bleeding that generates great anxiety in the patient.
When initial medical treatments based on topical corticosteroid ointments fail to restore skin elasticity, urological surgical solutions are definitive and safe. They are performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia (with or without sedation), and the patient returns home on the same day.
This is the indicated surgery for the definitive treatment of phimosis. It consists of the surgical removal of the narrow skin ring and the excess pathological foreskin, leaving the glans totally or partially uncovered permanently. The tissues are joined with ultra-fine, absorbable surgical sutures. The procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Strictly indicated for a short frenulum. It consists of a small transverse cut made in the frenulum under local anesthesia, followed by a longitudinal suture. This simple technique “lengthens” the frenulum, eliminating tension and the risk of future hemorrhagic ruptures during sexual intercourse, without the need to remove the foreskin (keeping the natural anatomy practically intact).
Complete healing occurs in about 3 to 4 weeks. Essential care includes:
Book your urology appointment with Dr Frederico Furriel, a urologist with consultations in Leiria, Caldas da Rainha and Porto de Mós. Select your preferred location and submit your appointment request.