[ ARC forum 2 ]

Tight foreskin was loose before.

Written by Paul B. at 03 Jan 2003 12:17:28:

As an answer to: Tight foreskin flacid or erect written by John G at 02 Jan 2003 11:59:06:

> My problem is that I cannot retract my foreskin when my penis is flacid or erect. This has not always been the case. I am 21 and up until about a year and a half ago I could retract the foreskin all the way flacid or erect. Then it started shrinking and I could retract it less and less.

OK, let's get this situation clearly defined. This is not a matter of simple stretching, and it is not obvious whether steroid cream is the first step. Your problem is that there is some reason why your foreskin did this, and you need to determine this reason and get proper treatment.

> I like my foreskin and want to keep it.

Good on you! I for one am with you. So is Jim, whose comments parallel mine as you will note, and various others. It will not have escaped your attention that some here however, do not want to see you succeed - because they did not (in fact, mostly didn't really try) and - well, I needn't explain further, need I?

> Lucky for me Canada's medical system is so back logged I will have time to get some advice before my 4 month wait list surgery is finished.

Yes, you likely are lucky in that regard, but there are still some major problems with Canadian health care, more so in some areas than others. In particular, the American influence in seeing circumcision as an acceptable way of treating problems such as yours, is dangerous.

Seriously, if you will take the advice given, start by disconnecting from the "Damocles' sword" of that 4 month expectation - call the hospital, cancel yourself from any surgical waiting list, and make a point not to consult that "urologist" again (unless for some genuine urological matter - this is not).

Your GP is probably OK, but evidently ignorant on this matter - you were referred to the wrong specialist - if you have a skin problem - and you have, then you need to see a dermatologist. I suggest you arrange to do so, and when you see him, cautiously explain that you do not want circumcision, rather that you want a diagnosis and correct treatment.

> I guess my question is even though the foreskin has ripped in the past

Here's the first big clue. I anticipate that your reference to "ripped" actually means you developed some small cracks or tears, perhaps a few parallel ones. This indicates a skin disease, and could be the "BXO" (deprecated term - the current one is LSA or Lichen Sclerosis et Atrophicus of the Foreskin - LSA will suffice) that Jim mentioned, but is much more likely to be common, "garden variety", "Thrush" (Candida Albicans - a yeast or fungus-like organism).

The reason you need to know - it may require a biopsy - a little punch taken out of the foreskin - is that though treatment is similar, it is different! Treatment for BXO centres on the use of the steroid (ointment - I have discussed this more than once), whilst for "Thrush", one form of antifungal or other (cream or oral medication) is critical from the start, whilst the ointment must be added to that to reverse the damage causing the tightening.

And that is what you need to do.

Aside:

> He took a look, told me I had phimosis and that I would have to have the foreskin removed, he refered me to a urologist and he agreed with the GP.

I have to laugh. Of course the urologist "agreed" with the GP. Why? Well, for one, the GP referred you with that expectation in mind. And the other thing - a Urologist is a surgeon - he makes money from performing operations, not from making accurate diagnoses of skin conditions and supervising treatment with pharmaceuticals. Is that not clear?


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