[ ARC forum 2 ]

It ain't going to happen.

Written by Paul B. at 10 Apr 2003 14:02:36:

As an answer to: Re: Can't pull foeskin back at all! written by Ivan at 09 Apr 2003 22:58:49:

> after a few minutes of being erect, the surface nerves could be deadened by lack of blood flow.

It just doesn't happen that way. You see, particularly in young boys/ teenagers, erections happen for prolonged periods, repeatedly through the night, so the natural stretching (growth, in fact) process causes the foreskin to accommodate to this - and comfortably. The persistence of "phimosis" is just an aberration of growth - instead of nocturnal erections pushing through the foreskin opening and dilating it, they push against it and elongate the foreskin, which is essentially a self-perpetuating process.

To some extent this is a random occurrence, and to some extent it represents a failure of boys to learn a simple process - to explore the penis. To a greater or lesser degree, the factor common to all those who post regarding phimosis, is lack of education regarding normal foreskin function, and indeed, of sexual function in general.

So whenever you see the complaint of discomfort during erection, either this implies the actual complaint is of discomfort on retraction at either masturbation or intercourse, or the post is spurious. For the same reason, the complaint of discomfort merely on erection, from a "too tight" circumcision, is equally implausible, though it may be uncomfortable to manipulate further.

Regarding masturbation, there is a tendency to simply adopt a practice of drawing the foreskin forward and not back (not at all surprising - this is how circumcised men are forced to do it anyway). And in intercourse, forcible retraction of the foreskin during insertion or thrusting indicates that the lady is either inadequately lubricated to proceed at that point, or particularly tight, neither of which is conducive to her enjoyment anyway. It also tends to reveal that a condom is not being used.

However discomfort from phimosis is the exception rather than the rule. The great majority of "sufferers" proceed through puberty, masturbation, courtship, procreation and childrearing with nary a concern - a silent majority. Those coming here are very much the exception.

> It is my impression that the blood flow through the skin and glans is not the same as the blood flow which makes an erection

Well, yes and no. Most of the body's circulation is parallel - each part has its own arteries to supply, and veins to drain, so that there are arteries that feed the corpora cavernosae, and others that travel along the dorsum (top) of the penis that supply glans and skin.

> (which has to be separated from the rest of the body's flow during erections to pump up),

It is no more than the veins that let blood out of the corpora that are closed off, partly because they are underneath the "tunica" - the very thick and tough covering of the corpora, and are squashed against it on erection. But neither the corpus spongiosum (of which the glans is part) or the skin are so tough as to resist the erection - they are largely elastic and accomodate extra pressure by stretching.

> You can get much the same effect in your fingers by carrying a heavy case for a while.

... but your fingers carry much heavier loads than the penis!

> Much the same as when your arm 'falls asleep' too, I would think.

Likewise occurring when substantial body weight or leverage of same, is applied. Erections just aren't that strong.

> Of course, we can't be sure, but there's a possible mechanism for what is reported.

Possible, but improbable.


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