[ ARC forum 2 ]

Re: Now you see it, now you don't!

Written by Tommy D at 04 Sep 2002 22:23:22:

As an answer to: Now you see it, now you don't! written by Paul B. at 29 Aug 2002 00:51:01:

Thank you for your help. Personally I never thought there was a problem, but my girl friend was certain that if its always retracted, there must be something wrong. We're happy with your explanation and that I'm not abnormal.

Thanks again!

>> When I was very young my foreskin more than coveren the head of my penis. Over the years is has receded and not is seems permanently retracted. I always thought mother nature put it there for protection of the glans.
>Yes, but many would say "mother nature" did not necessarily expect you to last three-score years, and whatever you get after having grandchildren is a bonus! In other words, it has fulfilled its prime purpose, like a woman experiencing menopause.
>> If I pull it down over the glans, it eventually retracts. If I swim in cold water, it extends itself as my penis shrinks and covers the glans by itself.
>Well, that's what it does at any age but as you say, yours has apparently shrunken somewhat. So be it!
>> Is it normal for the foreskin to essentially go away.
>Normal in the respect that it is one of many possible courses of events, any of which would be "normal" even though they may be quite different. Like "normal" being green eyes and blue eyes and brown eyes and grey eyes.
>> Is my glans no longer protected from disease or infection or something equally onerous?
>There are few circumstances beyond infancy, where the glans protects against the hostile environment inside a nappy (diaper), that it actually protects against disease, indeed it is often ignorantly blamed for facilitating infection.
>Constant exposure of the glans permits constant friction against clothing to cause desensitisation, as on the palms of the hands in heavy manual workers, yet it is still usable by and large. If you are a skilled surgeon or craftswoman, desensitisation of the hands is a major concern, but to most others, not such a concern.


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