[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 10 May 2002 06:57:40: Stretching it a bit more.
As an answer to: Re: Stretching it a bit. written by mp at 10 May 2002 05:25:50:
> But he replied, that no you don't need to stretch.
I can only say that it sounds as if he doesn't actually know anything about it, and answers accordingly. He certainly hasn't given you any background for what you are supposed to be doing.
The point is that many if not most doctors work from a "prescription" model - in other words, a recipe. The extent of their knowledge is reading (medical) newspaper articles. (This is not a criticism, just a practical fact! These papers exist to bring doctors' attention to things they may need.)
Insofar as the use of steroids is known for this condition, it was reported as a "new" approach to phimosis. Now, the article (certainly those that appeared in Australia) didn't mention stretching because - well, stretching isn't really an interesting therapy.
Drugs, such as steroids, are what doctors prescribe, so this information is filed away in the doc's memory as: "Phimosis: prescribe fluorinated steroid cream". In you walk, wanting cream for this purpose, doctor says "I remember - steroid cream. What is my favourite strong steroid cream? Kenalog! Here's a script for Kenalog." You now ask: "What about stretching?", but you see, stretching was not in the article (which is not to say that the original study reported on did not in fact involve a program of stretching). Therefore doctor refers to memory - stretching is not part of the "prescription" and he therefore answers "don't stretch it".
And that was indeed it.
> do you really mean a cork made of cork? Or a rubber cork?
Whatever is easiest to get. Cork proper is the bark of a tree and absorbent, so it will retain some urine and such and may begin to rot. It is after all, bio-degradable if not preserved by dryness or alcohol(!).
> do not rubber corks exist?
Indeed they do, but the term "bung" is more appropriate - a thing used to plug up a hole and seal it off. Well, that's not quite what you want to do with your foreskin, but if it plugs up the hole in the sense of stretching it, it will indeed serve the purpose.
Rubber is far more inert, will not retain urine or secretions - you just wash it daily in soapy water, rinse all the soap off, use some lubricant to make it easier to re-place, and it will serve until you need a larger one.
If on the other hand, you were to use a cork cork, (you would clean it in the same manner,) it might get a bit slimy or smelly after a while and should be replaced. It can be regarded as a disposable, but the advantage may be it is easier to find and totally free to obtain!
I did point out some time ago that if using a rubber bung and you can do it without causing an injury, you could bore a (large as possible) hole through it in order to pee without removing it. It should be a smooth hole to make cleaning practical, and for this reason, is not as advisable if using cork. But you might be able to get these ready-bored from a chemistry supplier, preferably if you can walk in and look at them, taking a caliper if possible!