Hi all,

I'm desperately in need of help, I'm just too embarrassed to go to a doctors or tell anyone.

I'm having trouble retracting my foreskin to wash my penis, it seems the skin just doesn't won't to stretch back, I've tugged and pulled it and I'm scared I will somehow damage it. Does anyone have any advice? I don't know if there are any techniques to ease the skin back?
Ive had this trouble from an early age, and was too scared to do anything, now smeg is being very hard to clean and it smells horrible.

I'm unable to even go near a girl without worrying about it, and its not just for my sake!
If anyone has any advice or help it would be greatly appreciated, its eating me up!

You need to get yourself into a warm bath and just take your time, and pull it back slowly this may help a little... But one thing you really do need to do is go and visit your doctor ASAP please don't worry they will have more concern in making sure your OK and fine not checking you out they see peoples parts all day and won't be having a good look! Please don't let things get worse book your visit Monday and get down there.


ive tugged and pulled it and im scared i will somehow damage it.

Don't tug and pull just take it easy in the warm bath.

As a older man, best advice, get over being body shy. You will have many things that the doctor will have to see, hold touch and poke.

By being scared of a doctor you can risk having very serious medical issues that could have been solved before they got serious..

HI,
At 64 yrs old, I do agree with Fr_Chuck's answer about getting over your fear of Doctors! They have seen all the parts of one's body, and are Professionals, not giving any opinions about anything, except medical advice. I have been picked at and "poked", with exams for prostate, etc, etc, etc. At some time, I really think you will have to go through this also. It isn't as bad as you think.
Please see a Doctor, and it can be taken care of.

Ok thank you very much for the advice and feedback, I'm definitely going to book an appointment.
Do you think a female Doctor will be more suitable?
My normal Doctor is a man, I really trust him, however I think if he examins me, I will be really embarrassed to go and see him again, obviously cautious that he knows my past.

Hi Salem16 your doctor upholds a level of trust with the job that he has and will hold no judgment against you past or present... You have to go with what make's you feel best weither its seeing the male or female doctor.

I pleased that your going to see the doctor hope that all turns out OK for you.

Hi again guys,

I went to the doctors, I had a male, different to my usual doctor though. I told him the problem and he just told me to lay down on the bed, and he pulled my foreskin down really hard, I mean really hard. I almost screamed but he said it needs to be done to try and strectch the skin, he didn't give me any medication so he recommended to do a few exercises every day.

It really hurts, and incredibaly painful - I'm abit worried that by doing this I will be making it worse, but he is a doctor... he knows his stuff?.

.. thanks very much for the advice, I can now finally get this problem sorted.. hopefully

The condition is called phimosis and is usually corrected via circumcision.
In the hospital, male babies are routinely checked for it as soon as they are born. I recommend that you get a second professional opinion about the painful treatments that the good doctor is using.

HI,
I agree with the answer before this one. Please see another Doctor.
Don't keep pulling back the skin with that much pain! Get another opinion, and in that way, you will be able to judge for yourself, if he "knows his stuff".
Best of luck.

I have to agree with all the other posts go and see a second doctor and see what they have too say... Hope all turns out OK for you !

My son had this problem and they did a circumsion on him no more problem and the doc said that it shouldn't hurt that much

hi again guys,

i went to the doctors, i had a male, different to my usual doctor though. i told him the problem and he just told me to lay down on the bed, and he pulled my foreskin down really hard, i mean really hard. i almost screamed but he said it needs to be done to try and strectch the skin, he didnt give me any medication so he recommended to do a few exercises every day.

it really hurts, and incredibaly painful - im abit worried that by doing this i will be making it worse, but he is a doctor...he knows his stuff?..

..thanks very much for the advice, i can now finally get this problem sorted..hopefully
Good gracious! PLEASE do not follow this quacks advice:eek: that kind of severe stretching can easily cause a tear which is highly susceptible to infection.. I am utterly astounded that a physician would recommend this as a treatment. If circumcision is not an option for you (due to religious beliefs or what ever reason) there are far more gentler methods. I highly agree with the others who said get a second opinion. In the mean time there are syringes you can purchase at most pharmacies that have a very small curved tip which allow for a strong tiny stream of fluid to be released under a steady pressure. You can fill it with warm, clean water and direct the stream into the smallest of crevices .You can also try using Vaseline or other ointment to help soften the skin and crust. Best of luck to you

Hey everyone,

I thought id better come back on and thank you all for your help and advice.
I decided not to take the doctors advice, he actually warned me about spliting and tearing the foreskin whilst doing the exercises, so it completely put me off and scared me!

I also decided to wait until I finished my a levels before acting on the problem, as I didn't want even more stress during my exams...

So I recently told a few friends and they see it as no big deal having the operation, but I'm just somehow scared il feel half a man? I'm just worried what it will look like, and feel like..

Is anyone circumcised, and do they have any advice, or help?

I'm totally clueless about circumcistion, and it makes me feel ill when I think about it, but its about time I acted my age and stood up to it

salem16 please don't worry ! This is a very normal op that happens to lots of boys and men on a day to day basis.

You will not be half a man after being circumcised, they will only take the foreskin away and they are done under local or regional anesthesia. As an adult you will have to do a number of things after being circumcised I/e require four to six weeks of abstinence from all genital stimulation and sexual activity. And you will have to keep yourself very clean down there to stop getting any kinds of infections on the area.

salem16 I forgot to add to my post yesterday ! That if you feel really worried etc about this, your doctor as an adult should be providing you with some form on counseling before and after the surgery.

Have a good talk with your doctor regards being circumcised. Hope everything goes OK with you.

You will not be half a man when circumcised.

I am circumcised. My son is not. We can go around and around on reasons or why not to circumcise. I did not circumcise my son in part because I think generally nature does a pretty good job and I don't think the penis is made "broken". There is mixed info about whether circumcision can decrease sensitivity somewhat, coming from adults who have been circumcised and noticed a difference in the sensations. And it makes sense to me that keeping the glans protected and "softer" would increase sensitivity, possibly.

That being said... there are a lot of guys having great sex lives with a circumcised penis. And in your case, where there is clearly a problem, I think if a few docs say that the surgery would help, then do it and don't fret. And there simply are cases like yours where the foreskin just is too tight. OK.

Right now your situation isn't working. The idea of pulling the foreskin back in the warm water and working it loose over time (it won't happen overnight) is good, but not working. The idea of pulling it back painfully is bunk and should not be followed.

So... if you've given it some time and have no other options, go right ahead and get this done. In previous discussions with women I know about this issue, they basically did not care whether the man was circumcised or not.

*** forgot to mention... ask about topical steroid treatments. Urology journals have reported some successes with the use of steroid creams to help loosen the adhesion... you basically pull the foreskin back as far as it easily goes and use the cream to loosen it up.

*** you might want to see a urologist instead of your normal doctor. You can ask your doc to refer you to a urologist if he is unaware of the steroid option. Do not feel weird in asking for this reference. You are asking to see a specialist in this area, and in my experience gen practitioners or pediatricians are inconsistent in their training. Some say to force the foreskin back in the first two years of life, when in reality only about 90% of the time the foreskin releases by age 5.

Hi everyone its me again,

Just wonted to say thanks again for all the feedback and advice I've received.

I feel as I'm 18 its about time I stood up and became a man and faced the problem rather than shying, wimping away.

I tried the strectching exercises, I have started to notice a bit of a change, buti am still 50/50 about the operation. I think especially talking to girls, that they prefer it and I would in the long run..

But does anyone please have any information regarding the op, like how long it will take, what they do, what I will need etc, as my doctor has failed to provide me with this. And don't worry yes I have now changed my doctor!

Im really scared and worried, and stressing out majorly - just feel I can't talk to anyone face to face..

Please always feel free to talk to your doctor. It is their job. It might be embarrassing to you sometimes, but they trained for years to do exactly what you need... to give you info and answers and to help you. It isn't like you are asking a stranger, even if they are one to some degree. Not all have the best tact, and sometimes you need to ask for more info if you need it... but PLEASE, do not hesitate to talk to your medical provider about medical questions. It really is the best way to be sure that you understand what is going on.

You'll need to talk to them to find out whether you'll have general anesthesia or a local. I believe genreal is common in adult circ. But locals can be done and I don't know case by case when you'd do what. There are a few different techniques for how the op can be done, and again, you will need to talk to your doc about the procedure. One is done more often for cases like yours. They will also advise you of all potential complications. These include the worse case scenarios. They'll advise you on how to tend the wound post-op, most likely meaning something like a petroleum jelly and gauze around the sutured area. They'll tell you when to take off the gauze and how to clean the area.

You'll be advised to avoid sex or self stimulation for several weeks. Sometimes there can be a problem with nocturnal erections. If there is any kind of concern or damage due to this, again, you will need to talk to your doctor. Occasionally another suture might need to be made to help the healing.

But like I said, the biggest thing is you MUST get over your worries about talking to your doctor or his/her staff. They get up everyday and go to work in a field in which they spent years studying in order to provide you with the service of information and good care. If you ever find you don't get the info or care you need and deserve, seek out another provider. But don't let a lack of communication be the reason for anxiety.

Agree with the above... You should think hard about going ahead with an elective circumcision since your problem is recurrent. Besides being a treatment for your condition, it has been suggested that circumcised men have fewer urinary tract infections and have a lower incidence of carcinoma (cancer) of the penis. A little discomfort now could save you a bunch of misery later...

Hi everyone, yes its me again haha

I have finally taken the first big step, I have recently re-visited my doctor last week, and have now been refereed to the hospital, to have my operation! However like most operations now a days there is a waiting list, well I have been notified that I might have to wait until April next year :/

Now the main problem is when my penis becomes erect, my skin doesn't stretch over the head, this causes great pain beyond belief and is horrible being 18 and always... you know.
I find sometimes the head becomes so sore I find it hard to walk, as it gently touches and rubs against my clothes, this is agony and I have to walk like a monkey

So do you think I have case to try and ask for an emergency operation? Or at least a chance to to argue the op to be earlier? I can totally understand there are many people out there with major illnesses and life threatening cases, whom need operations a lot more than me, but I didn't think it would take long to carry the op out, especially at my local surgery clinic?
I don't won't to sound heartless but now I've actually admitted my problem and had it recognized, I won't to have it done and over as soon as possible

And if it wasn't for this site, and all the positive feedback I've received, id dread to think what I would be doing now,

I really can't thank you all enough

when I have a physician put me off like this... as in if it is apparent the practive is too busy to really care for me as a patient who deserves respectful, prompt care, I find another doctor. Sometimes practices just get too big and you need to move on to someone who still has the ability to better value and meet their patients needs.

we are at that stage with our general care provider. Been with her for probably 12+ years. The personal service is going down the toilet, mostly because they're just too busy these days.

you can decide whatever you want. Obviously having to go through the noise of seeing another doctor is another stressor... you can always ask the doctor, if the surgery isn't being scheduled to your satisfaction, if he would recommend another physician who might have more time for his patients.

yeah, it'll probably not thrill him, but you are the person giving him the business. You have the right to ask. And he might even be absolutely glad to refer you... perhaps another doctor in the same practice?

if trying to do all of this sounds like its more pain than you are already going through, then you maybe need to wait it out.

The most likely cause of your problem is Type II diabetes.

You can dianose this very simply by stopping all sugar intake... no soft drinks, pasta, bread, sweets, pastry, or anything else with carbohydrates... that leave meat, fish, eggs, cheese and a small salad. Within seven days, your problem will greatly improve... within tow weeks it should be gone. If you drink a soft drink with sugar content - it will start to get tight again very quickly.

I suspect you also have a yeast infection as this is another symptom of the same disease.

Most over the counter products for women will help clear this up but you must see a doctor and have yourself checked out for diabetes! You probably won't be put on medications unless it is really out of control but you will have to follow a very low carbohydrate diet - Atkins - South Beach - Sugar Busters or a diabetic diet.

On the right diet, life will be normal and you should have no further problems but always remember - for you - sugar is gone forever... if you are diabetic.

One final thought on the retracting foreskin problem - surgery should be the last option if nothing else works. Circumcision late in life can leave you with a penis that looks horrible and will certainly end some of your sexual activity. The skin on the glans is very much protected by the foreskin and once that covering is removed, the glans can dry out and crack open, leaving it looking like a dried out mushroom and certainly not something anyone would be very interested in playing with.

The option to circumcision is a series of cuts in the foreskin to relax the muscle at the tip and give it more slack... a long healing period follows this operation but it is better than the total circumcision.

I hope you have gotten yourself to another doctor already but please don't go back. The area you are troubled by is a sensitive one so you need a doctor to respect your body and allow it a way through this without harm, but surely not pain. My thoughts are that the area is altogether adjitated, foremost from the fact that your forskin is too tight or there is some swelling, not to mention tugging or pulling. When your parts become more adjitated/inflamed, it is succeptable to both infection and the generation of a lot more discharge/ smegma. The bath method in the meantime is a good Idea, may want to try adding 1/4 cup of vineger to the water of the bath which sooths women suffering from similar discharges. Hope you can get it better soon. l&C

It's unfortunate that some of the readers of my original post disagree with my suggestion that a foreskin that is painful to retract, inflamed or too tight... after years of funtioning without problem may be the result of Type II diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions.

I suggested deleting all sugar and carbs from the diet for a week or two to see if they may be the cause of the problem. It is simple, doesn't cost you anything and if it works, it could save your life. If you want to see if you have diabetes quickly... then go buy a little meter at your local Walmart and in about ten seconds, you'll have an answer or... go ask a doctor to test you and pay the fees.

Why does diabetes cause this condition? One of the most primary tests for diabetes is a urine test. If sugar shows up in the urine it's a pretty good indication you may be diabetic and additional testing is needed. The blood test I suggested earlier, which pricks the skin and the tiny drop of blood is tested on a strip that is inserted into the meter will give you a numerical reading.

The sugar in the urine which seeps under the foreskin is a near perfect environment for the growth of yeast infections and all the problems they promise.

What I suggested isn't harmful, expensive or dangerous. I was diagnosed by a highly regarded urologist and I simply passed on to you folks what he provided me with in the way of information.

Diabetes isn't a stigma like STD's but it is a condition that if left untreated or uncontrolled can result in blindness, amputations, heart and kidney damage and ultimately your life.

"a little knowledge is dangerous..." I'll counter that comment by saying - ignorance is fatal.

I have the same problem man, and I am soooo glad I found this site. I'm going to book in to the docs on payday..
Ill keep checking in, here's hoping mate X

I need help too. My penis does not look normal. It looks sort of like a stick with a hole in it. What can I do?