A number of male diseases are observed already at the birth of the baby, that is, they are congenital in nature. These include phimosis, inherent in almost 96% of newborns, due to a noticeable narrowing of the foreskin, which does not completely expose the glans penis. Given the prevalence of the phenomenon, it is advisable to have useful information about what phimosis is, what factors contribute to its development, the clinical picture of the manifestation, as well as possible ways of its elimination.
Causes of phimosis
The main cause of phimosis is caused by the congenital absence of normal( natural) development of the foreskin, observed when the child is born directly. For other reasons, phimosis develops due to:
- head member injuries;
- suffered from chronic diseases;
- balanoposthitis;
- complexes.
Often the development of phimosis is associated with sexual activity. With strong excitation, the foreskin stretches, and if the head size is larger than the size of the flesh, it is damaged, since small fissures are formed on it. Despite the fact that these cracks are insignificant, but their healing leads to the formation of small scars, which further narrow the foreskin. It is not excluded and strong damages of the flesh, formed during repeated sex or masturbation.
Degrees of phimosis
Medical practice distinguishes 4 degrees of phimosis, each of them is characterized in a certain way.
- At the first degree, the ability to open the head is retained only in the calm state of the penis, during erection it is impossible to do this because of severe pain.
- The second degree is characterized by the great efforts necessary to bring the head to rest, during the erection, the ability to open the head is excluded.
- The third degree of this phenomenon is characterized by the inability or partial ability to expose the head of the penis.
- For the fourth degree, there is a lack of any opportunity to open the head of the penis, as a result of which the process of urination becomes much more difficult.
If, in the first two degrees of phimosis, pain is present only in the erect state of the penis, when excessive stretching of the flesh is observed, then the last two degrees( 3rd and 4th) are not completely absent. A person does not feel pain because of the too small size of the preputial ring, in which the head of the penis is not exposed at all.
How to deal with phimosis?
If many children have no idea what phimosis is, adults are well aware of the manifestations of the disease, because they have to experience severe pain not only with urination, but also with sexual intercourse. Given the fact that phimosis delivers a feeling of discomfort to the patient, creates certain complexes, this phenomenon must necessarily be treated. Possible methods of treatment of phimosis( elimination of its manifestations) are:
- manual or instrumental lengthening;
- reception of corticosteroids;
- clipping.
Manual( tool) extension
Today, the only way to combat phimosis is circumcision, although most patients prefer other methods. Speaking of other methods, we mean the elongation( stretching) of the foreskin with a special tool or with fingers. The advantage of the method lies in its effectiveness, the drawback is due to the fact that it is possible to get rid of phimosis not immediately, but for several months.
Patient is advised to stretch the foreskin for several hours during the day. And although the result at the end of treatment is positive, but not many patients show patience, so the procedure remains incomplete. In addition, it should be noted that manual or instrumental stretching is effective only with the first two degrees of phimosis. That is, the procedure is considered inconclusive at the last degrees, since it is not possible to extend the foreskin to the desired size.
Taking corticosteroid preparations
In some cases, the treatment of phimosis is based on the intake of corticosteroid drugs. This method is considered relatively effective despite the long-term nature of the treatment. The essence of treatment with corticosteroids is to increase the elasticity of the foreskin, a significant reduction in inflammation, and removal of puffiness. With minor manifestations of phimosis, the development of the process is suspended. In more complex forms, corticosteroids do not have a positive effect on the result, that is, there is no complete cure.
Circumcision, or circumcision
Another method of getting rid of phimosis is surgery - circumcision, or circumcision. The procedure is permissible at all stages of the disease, it allows full or partial lengthening of the foreskin. The only obstacle to the procedure of circumcision is a pronounced balanoposthitis - the process of inflammation of the foreskin.
Possible complications of
Because phimosis in most cases is due to a genetic factor, its manifestations can be detected already in childhood. Many parents mistakenly believe that the problem is universal and can self-destruct to a certain age. This statement is partly justified, but some cases require medical intervention. If phimosis is not treated, it can be the beginning of the inflammatory process.
The inflammatory process develops as a result of the fact that the man consciously avoids the careful hygienic procedures of the penis due to pain. Over a period of time, the preputial cavity accumulates smegma, which subsequently leads to the accumulation of microorganisms and inflammation. On the accumulation of smegma and the development of the inflammatory process can be evidence of a swollen penis. With a hint of inflammation, it is advisable for a patient to consult a doctor, in order to avoid more serious complications.
