[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by John T. at 01 Jul 2004 15:38:50: Re: Some more phimosis/stretching questions...
As an answer to: Some more phimosis/stretching questions... written by Sam at 30 Jun 2004 18:53:19:
I have heard more than once that stretching transversely, that is, pulling the sides of the foreskin farther apart, is effective. It is most easily done with a nasal speculum, obtainable at a surgical supply house. Provided you can insert the spreadable ends of the speculum, one starts slowly and increases the spread using the screw mechanism. If this is not possible, there are two alternatives to total circumcision: dorsal slit and partial circumcision. Exposing the entire glans to the air and to clothing is likely to be very uncomfortable and, some say, reduce sensitivity, especially as one ages. Removing just enough of the foreskin to allow complete retraction seems far preferable.
>Ok, so I have pinhole phimosis and have been stretching for about a month now but with no discernible progress. In a recent thread David R suggested that it's not likely you can even cure severe phimosis by stretching. Is this true? Have there been any success stories on here where people have gone from pinhole phimosis to full retraction using stretching?
>About methods: I have been stretching by pulling the foreskin forward and open like a tube with pressure but not enough to cause pain, as described on here.
>I have been trying to look down the tube at the meatus and figure out exactly what it is I am trying to stretch. It seems that the ring of skin is not the tip or end of the foreskin but the ring lower down, just above the glans. Is that correct? In other words, when I stretch and look down at what I can see of the glans, it is the circle at the bottom, not the top I am trying to stretch?
>It seems that most of the pressure and stretching is occuring at the tip of the foreskin and the closer to the glans, the less skin being stretched. In that case, do I need to make sure I am using the other stretching method where I retract, place a finger on the meatus, allow the skin to go forward slightly over the finger and then move the finger in circles?
>I'd be grateful if anyone could give me some advice about stretching and what I should do.
>Thanks,
>Sam