Tight Foreskin
When a foreskin is too tight to be pulled over the head of the penis, this can have an extremely negative effect on a man’s quality of life, and sex life.
Symptoms of Tight Foreskin
- Painful foreskin when the penis is erect
- Sore/itchy/red foreskin or glans penis
- White discolouration of foreskin
- Cracking or fissuring of foreskin which can bleed after sex
- Tight/sore frenulum (banjo string)
- Difficulty retracting the foreskin to clean the head of the penis
- Difficulty bringing the foreskin back over the glans if it’s pulled back
Treatments for Tight Foreskin
- Conservative measures (E45 aqueous cream wash/Vaseline/trim pubic hair)
- Steroid creams (Dermovate for short periods)
- Foreskin stretching exercises
- If above fails or pathological phimosis
- Consider surgery (Frenuloplasty or circumcision)
Frenulaplasty
Simple operation that can be performed under local or general anaesthetic
A horizontal incision across the frenulum which is closed vertically
Risks of surgery:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Altered sensation (rarely numbness or increased sensitivity)
- Scar formation
- Failure to resolve the tight foreskin requiring circumcision
Circumcision (removal of foreskin)
Can be performed under local or general anaesthetic.
Day case surgery which takes 30-45 minutes.
Abnormal foreskin is removed and sent for pathological review.
The wound on the penis is closed with absorbable stitches.
Risks of surgery:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Meatal stenosis (rarely the external urethral opening can become scarred)
- Altered sensation
- 1% poor cosmesis requiring further revision surgery
- Rarely urethral injury
- Removing too much skin resulting in skin tightness during an erection
Post circumcision care:
- Most men take 1 week off work after surgery
- Can shower as normal but avoid soaking in the bath
- After drying apply Vaseline to the head of the penis and wound unless given an antibiotic cream instead
- Avoid sex for 4-6 weeks (until wounds healed)
- Expect the penis to be swollen and bruised for at least a week
- New post operative redness or purulent discharge is abnormal-seek a medical review/antibiotics
Next Steps
Get fast access to leading specialists for the swift diagnosis and treatment of urological conditions in a private clinic environment.
If you would like more information or wish to arrange a consultation with one of our specialist consultant urological surgeons then please either Call 0118 920 7040 or complete the form below.
Insured patients
Contact your GP and ask for a referral to the Urology Partnership.
All consultations, investigations and treatments are covered by major insurance companies (depending on policy).
Funding your own treatment
Self-funding initial consultation fee is £205. Follow up fees are £165.
Consultation charges are exclusive of any tests and other investigations that the consultant may wish to carry out.