Phimosis - Symptoms and Causes

Discover everything about phimosis: causes, treatments, and innovative solutions at Andrología Mallorca.

What is phimosis?

Phimosis is defined as the narrowing of the foreskin opening, preventing the full or partial exposure of the glans.

This condition can cause difficulties in maintaining proper hygiene of the penis and often leads to discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Phimosis is relatively common, especially in babies and young children. It is estimated that around 1% of boys over the age of 3 have phimosis. However, it can also affect adolescents and adults.

Causes of phimosis

Primarily, phimosis is related to congenital factors, meaning it is present from birth. However, it can also affect young men and adults, especially those with diabetes, who may experience circulation problems, thereby increasing the risk of infections, chronic inflammation, and slow healing.

When is surgery for phimosis necessary in adults?

Surgery is recommended as a treatment option when phimosis presents significant complications that affect the patient’s quality of life.

These complications can include recurrent infections, difficulties in maintaining proper genital hygiene, persistent discomfort, pain during erection, or difficulties in maintaining satisfactory sexual relationships. In such cases, surgical intervention can provide an effective and lasting solution to improve the individual’s health and well-being.

What are the available treatment options?

There are two treatment approaches for phimosis based on:

Conservative treatment for children

This involves occasional manual retraction of the foreskin, sometimes accompanied by the application of topical corticosteroid creams.

Surgical treatment for adults

Recommended for most cases of phimosis in adults, this involves circumcision. Although circumcision is a commonly performed urological procedure, its significance should not be underestimated. Like any major surgery, it requires careful planning and proper consideration. It is crucial to understand that, despite its frequency, circumcision deserves the same level of attention and preparation as any other surgical procedure.

Circumcision is performed for various reasons, including religious, social, or medical purposes. The procedure, which lasts about 30 minutes, involves the removal of the foreskin to expose the glans. It can be performed under general or local anesthesia, and afterward, an antibiotic ointment and dressing are applied. Recovery typically takes 7 to 10 days, with the sutures falling out on their own in the following weeks.

At Andrologia Mallorca, we perform circumcision without a scalpel, a novel technique with significant advantages for patients with phimosis.

At Andrologia Mallorca, we use a second-generation automatic stapler with a silicone line between the staples to perform circumcision without the need for a scalpel.