Infant phimosis: treatment, surgery, recovery

Phimosis is the inability to retract the skin of the penis to expose the glans, which creates the feeling that there is a ring at the tip of the penis that prevents the skin from sliding normally. After birth, it is common for babies to have this type of problem, but until the age of 3, the skin on the penis usually loosens spontaneously, starting to function normally.

There are several forms of treatment, which must be evaluated and guided by the urologist or pediatrician, according to the degree of phimosis. Thus, for the mildest cases, only small exercises or ointments can be used, while for the more serious, surgery may be necessary, for example.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of phimosis are:

• Difficulty urinating, with pain or burning; Pain during erection; Secretions in the penis, with a bad smell; Difficulty in controlling the urge to urinate at night; Bleeding, especially when forcing the skin.

It is important to remember that phimosis does not prevent the normal growth and development of the penis, but it must be treated to avoid complications, such as serious infections at the site, due to the difficulty in washing the region.

Treatment options for phimosis

The treatment for phimosis is done according to the severity of the symptoms, which may include:

1. Application of ointment

To treat childhood phimosis, an ointment with corticosteroids can be applied, such as Postec and Betnovate, which works by softening the foreskin tissue and thinning the skin, facilitating the movement and cleaning of the penis.

Generally, this ointment is applied twice a day for about 6 weeks to months, according to the guidance of the urologist or pediatrician. Learn how to correctly put the ointment for phimosis.

2. Exercises in the foreskin

The use of exercises on the foreskin should always be indicated by the pediatrician or urologist and consists of trying to move the skin of the penis slowly, stretching and shrinking the foreskin without forcing or causing pain. These exercises should be done for about 1 minute, 4 times a day, for a period of at least 1 month to obtain improvements.

3. Surgery

Phimosis surgery, also known as circumcision or postectomy, consists of removing excess skin to facilitate penis hygiene, decrease the risk of infections and improve sexual performance.

Surgery is performed by a urologist, lasts about 1 hour, includes the use of general anesthesia and in children it is recommended between 7 and 10 years of age. The hospital stay lasts about 2 days, but the patient can return to the normal routine 3 or 4 days after the surgery, taking care to avoid sports or games that impact the region for about 2 to 3 weeks.

4. Placement of plastic ring

The placement of the plastic ring is done through a quick surgery, which lasts about 10 to 30 minutes and does not require anesthesia. The ring is inserted around the glans and under the foreskin, but without squeezing the tip of the penis. Over time, the ring will cut through the skin and release its movement, falling off after about 10 days.

During the period of use of the ring, it is normal for the penis to become red and swollen, but it does not hinder peeing. In addition, this treatment does not require dressings, using only an anesthetic and lubricating ointment to facilitate recovery.

Possible complications of phimosis

When left untreated, phimosis can cause complications such as frequent urinary infections, infections of the penis, increased chances of contagion with sexually transmitted diseases, pain and bleeding during intimate contact and increased risk of penile cancer.

How to prevent phimosis

When phimosis occurs at birth, it is not possible to prevent it, but throughout life it is very important to do the correct hygiene of the penis every day with water and mild soap, cleaning the entire region under the skin so that it does not accumulate dirt and secretions, becoming a phimosis.

To avoid aggravating the problem, it is also important to increase the frequency of cleaning the place and go to the doctor to start the treatment.

In addition to affecting men, phimosis can also occur in women, so see female phimosis.