Phimosis it is a relatively common condition in which the individual has difficulty exposing the glans due to the non-retractility of the foreskin. In some cases, phimosis resolves naturally, but in others, drug or surgical intervention is required. However, surgery is not recommended for everyone and is still a matter of debate among doctors.
Phimosis, which can be easily diagnosed through physical examination, can lead to complications. Due to the difficulty of retracting the foreskin and correctly cleaning the site, accumulation of secretions and the development of bacteria are observed. Phimosis is considered one of the main factors for the development of penile cancer.
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Topics of this article
- 1 - Summary about phimosis
- 2 - What is phimosis?
- 3 - Types of phimosis
- 4 - What are the consequences of phimosis?
- 5 - Diagnosis of phimosis
- 6 - How is phimosis treated?
summary about phimosis
Phimosis is a condition characterized by the inability to retract the foreskin.
It can be primary or secondary.
Primary phimosis is the most common condition and resolves spontaneously in most cases.
Secondary phimosis may be associated, for example, with trauma and recurrent balanoposthitis (simultaneous inflammation of the glans and foreskin).
Phimosis makes it difficult to properly clean the penis and can lead to complications, such as the development of penile cancer.
Treatment varies and can include medication and even surgery.
What is phimosis?
Phimosis is a condition consisting of difficulty exposing the glans due to an inability to retract the skin that covers this region. The term is derived from the Greek phimosis, which means noose or gag, being, therefore, a reference to the difficulty of the glans being discovered.
To better understand what phimosis is, we must understand the penile structure. The region called glans is the most sensitive area of the penis and stands out for being a slightly dilated area of the organ. When the penis is not erect,the glans is covered by a skin called the foreskin.
The foreskin is made up of epithelial tissue It is mucous and is loosely adhered to the tip of the penis. In the case of phimosis, what happens is that the foreskin is not permeable to the glans, being The causes of this problem are quite variable..
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types of phimosis
Phimosis can be classified as primary or secondary. A primary or physiological phimosis presents a normal foreskin and resolves spontaneously in most patients in childhood. In this type of phimosis, the preputial orifice is distensible and without scars.
At secondary phimosis, also called pathological, in turn, the presence of local fibrotic tissue is observed. This phimosis is related to different problems, such as local trauma and recurrent balanoposthitis. It can occur in both children and adults.
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What are the consequences of phimosis?
In phimosis, the foreskin prevents the glans from being discovered and, therefore, the accumulation of secretion in the region. The non-retraction of the skin prevents the correct hygiene of the site, which can even cause the development of infectionsbacterial secondary.
It is worth noting that phimosis is considered one of the main factors for the development of penile cancer and is also related to the increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and to develop urinary infections. Phimosis also causes pain in sexual intercourse.
Diagnosis of phimosis
Phimosis can be easily diagnosed through physical examination performed by the urologist. In children, the first observation of the penile region occurs when the baby is newborn. This observation, according to the Ministry of Health, is made in all consultations up to 5 years of age.
Phimosis can also occur at other stages of the individual's life.. In this case, the patient himself may perceive the difficulty of skin retraction, and should seek a doctor so that a correct assessment can be made.
How is phimosis treated?
In general, phimosis is observed soon after birth and generally fades away still spontaneously nthe childhood. This resolution of phimosis occurs as a result of different factors, such as the desquamation of the epithelium of the glans or foreskin and also due to the presence of sebaceous secretion and physiological erections.
In some cases, however, this resolution does not happen, requiring interventions. Some of the recommended treatments are use of ointments and exercises to retract phimosis for boys over the age of five.
In addition, one can perform surgical procedure calledO circumcision for removal of the foreskin. Despite being a very old procedure and well known by all, its indication is a controversial subject and the procedure has beenless and less indicated.
Currently, phimosis surgery is recommended only in specific cases, such as adolescents who cannot expose their glans, pathological phimosis, recurrent infections of the urinary tract and recurrent balanoposthitis.
It is also important to highlight that some authors consider circumcision a beneficial procedure. Between the benefitsforeskin removal they are:
reducing the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections,
reduced risk of penile cancer;
prevention of urinary infections.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "Phimosis"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude/fimose.htm. Accessed on April 14, 2023.
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