Any tips for adult phimosis?

[liseux]

An adult I know is having issues with phimosis. He always had a bit of an "overhang" but was always retractible except for a few times in his life where it went back to being too tight to pull back. He said he got lazy and just used the shower stream to clean and stopped daily retracting. He was able to fix it in the past, but now he says it has gotten worse & the same stretching exercises aren't working. He is still able to urinate & have sex normally, but would like to retract so he could have more sensation. Its not a hygiene issue either, just a preference at this point. Does anyone have any thoughts?

He went to a urolgist who asked him when he would like to schedule the circ. Then the uro told him he doesn't like to prescribe steroid cream b/c it "breaks down the skin."

[Night_Nurse]

Originally Posted by liseux

He went to a urolgist who asked him when he would like to schedule the circ. Then the uro told him he doesn't like to prescribe steroid cream b/c it "breaks down the skin."

It's true, steroid creams thin the skin. But the truth is he doesn't like to prescribe them because he only will make a small amount of $ from one office visit for the prescription as opposed to lots of $$$$$ for a surgery called circumcision! I wonder if doctors know how ridiculous they sound by saying they don't want to cause a problem by thinning the skin but they recommend cutting the skin completely off?

I have no answer to your original question, I'm sorry. Can your friend do some manual stretching or call the doctor back and say he's decided he wants to try the steroid anyway?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

He should find a dr. who will prescribe the steriod cream, betamethazone is the name if I am remembering right. Like Night Nuse said he is worried about thinning skin but has no issues with chopping that skin off :

[glongley]

He may want to consult with a dermatologist. Sometimes previously retractable foreskins can become tight due to low grade inflammation or dermatitis, such as caused by yeast or swimming pool chlorine, etc.

Suggestions: Rule out or conservatively treat any inflammatory contributors. Stretching (manually or with device) and steroids. Get support from others who have gone through the same thing. Preputioplasty (foreskin conserving surgery to enlarge the tight area of the foreskin). Seek out more foreskin-knowledgeable/friendly practitioner.

A suggestion of circumcision at this stage is way overkill.

Some helpful links:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/244184/
http://www.cirp.org/library/treatment/phimosis/

Google "tight foreskin." There is a ton of stuff on the Internet.

Gillian

[MaryJaneLouise]

Originally Posted by liseux

He went to a urolgist who asked him when he would like to schedule the circ. Then the uro told him he doesn't like to prescribe steroid cream b/c it "breaks down the skin."

Better for the skin to be broken down a tiny bit, for a week or two, than AMPUTATED ENTIRELY! :

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I forgot to mention the underlying causes of a foreskin that gets tight.

Overcleaning with soap is a big one. A minor yeast infection. There is a section in this thread I put together on the possible cause of a retractable foreskin becoming tight. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=764732