Everything You Need To Know About Sex And Phimosis
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💡 Key Points Summary 💡
Get the gist at a glance! Here’s a cheeky rundown of the essentials:
- 🌟 Phimosis can be managed with gentle stretching exercises.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- - 🚿 Hygiene is key: Keep things spick and span!
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- - 💬 Don't shy away from consulting a medical professional.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- - ❤️ Open communication with your partner fosters intimacy and understanding.
🛠️ Key Advice and Tips from Our Experts 🛠️
Pithy pearls of wisdom to keep you on the right track:
- 🔍 Use lubrication generously to make things more comfortable.
- ⏳ Patience is your best ally—results take time.
- 📖 Educate yourself and your partner—it’s a shared journey.
- 💎 Prioritise comfort over aesthetics when selecting devices or aids.
- 💌 Remember: There’s no "normal." Embrace your unique experience!
Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin fails to retract. Herein is everything you need to know about sex and phimosis, including what phimosis is, symptoms of this condition, how it affects sex, and the treatment options.
Sex is directly linked to health and the general well-being of a person. Some health issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, may affect sex. Phimosis is also a common problem that raises concerns during sex. This condition affects the penis, specifically the foreskin, where one cannot retract the foreskin fully, and this may be a problem in sex. People with phimosis always raise concerns about whether they can have sex while suffering from this condition. If you have phimosis and wonder how it may affect your sex life, this article is for you.
What is Phimosis?
Phimosis is a condition that affects the penis, where one cannot retract their foreskin. It occurs in a few adults and children who aren’t circumcised. Phimosis makes it look like your penis has rings around its tip. Having phimosis is not necessarily a problem; it only becomes an issue when it causes symptoms. This is whereby phimosis is severe to the extent of leaving an opening the size of a pinhole. There are two types of phimosis; physiologic and pathologic. Physiologic arises at a young age. On the other hand, pathologic is associated with a condition known as balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO). It usually affects adults who were never circumcised.
Symptoms of Phimosis
- Redness which may occur when irritated or infected
- Inflammation or swelling which also occurs when irritated
- Soreness may also occur
- Pain when urinating
- Painful erections and during any sexual activities
Can One Have Sex with Phimosis?
It is possible to have sex, even with phimosis. However, the undeniable fact is that it won't be as sensational and enjoyable as in normal cases. Because the foreskin cannot retract fully, it acts as a barrier to the pleasurable sensations linked to sex. In rare cases of severe phimosis, one may be irritated by sex.
Pulling a tight foreskin back even if it can’t move freely will be too painful to the victim. This may lead to infection or even scarring. These infections cause inflammation which may, in turn, lead to phimosis. According to Steadman & Ellsworth (2006), hardened scar tissue can worsen an existing phimotic ring. There is also the aspect of psychological problems in the bedroom. Phimosis may also lead to erectile dysfunction because one may not feel confident having sex with phimosis.
What Occurs During Sex with Phimosis?
Czajkowski et al. (2021) noted that a man with phimosis may have trouble ejaculating but will have no pain or discomfort. However, in some cases, one might experience painful erections and pain throughout the sexual activity, causing discomfort. In extreme cases, the skin might rapture. This is depressing because it will inflict pain and affect your sex life. However, there is a solution where you use lubricated condoms to minimize friction, which may lead to skin tearing during sexual intercourse. If it is not possible to uncover the glans, it will be hard to achieve orgasm. This can be devastating for you and your partner. Ultimately everybody deserves a healthy sex life. Erection problems emulating from loss of confidence can worsen the situation.
What to Avoid with Phimosis and Sex
Never try to force or pull back the foreskin. If you tear the skin, you will only worsen the condition. Morris & Krieger (2017) noted that phimosis is mostly triggered by an infection that brings about swelling and hardening of the tissues around the glans. Tears only worsen phimosis since they easily become infected. In addition, these tears heal with scar tissue which is tough and inelastic. One important thing to note is that when having sex with phimosis, plenty of lube comes in handy to prevent splitting or tearing the foreskin.
Psychological Effects
Phimosis can cause worry, which in turn can lead to sexual issues. Worry may be caused by embarrassment due to the condition, worry over not getting pleasure, or giving enough pleasure to your partner. Whatever the psychological issues are, they are normal. However, you should consider talking to a doctor, a therapist, or a professional to help you overcome these psychological issues.
Treatment Options for Phimosis
Luckily there are treatment options for phimosis. Foremost consider seeking the advice of a trained healthcare professional. This is the first step to working out a treatment plan. The professional will advise you on the type of phimosis and its severity.
However, Golubovic et al. (1996) noted that many cases resolve with surgery. In some cases, partial or full circumcision will not suit everyone, and you may opt for phimostop. With the advancement in technology, there is a device that helps restore the flexibility of the foreskin naturally. This device is tested and approved by the Italian Ministry of Health and with an award tied to it. This product has proven to work from the statistics taken of how much this product is purchased and its reviews as a comfortable, easy-to-use device that produces long-lasting effects.
According to Griffiths et al. (1985), circumcision may be the absolute option for ending this problem, but it might not improve your sex life. Numerous circumcised men still report loss of sensation in the most sensitive parts of their penis. These diminished senses lead to less enjoyable sex. This can also lead to a reduction in sex drive and other psychological issues.
Conclusion
Having phimosis doesn’t mean the end of the world. You can still have a good sex life even with phimosis. Of course, it might not be as pleasurable as it should be, but you can still have a good time in bed. The key to having good sex with phimosis is using condoms and lots of lube to prevent skin tears, which may lead to infection. Furthermore, there is a wide range of phimosis treatment options available. Using products such as the phimostop can help lighten things back up in the bedroom.
References
Czajkowski, M., Czajkowska, K., Zarańska, K., Giemza, A., Kłącz, J., Sokołowska-Wojdyło, M., & Matuszewski, M. (2021). Male Circumcision Due To Phimosis As The Procedure That Is Not Only Relieving Clinical Symptoms Of Phimosis But Also Improves The Quality Of Sexual Life. Sexual Medicine, 9(2), 100315.
Golubovic, Z., Milanovic, D., Vukadinovic, V., Rakic, I., & Perovic, S. (1996). The Conservative Treatment Of Phimosis In Boys. British Journal Of Urology, 78(5), 786-788.
Griffiths, D. M., Atwell, J. D., & Freeman, N. V. (1985). A Prospective Survey Of The Indications And Morbidity Of Circumcision In Children. Eur Urol, 11(3), 184-187.
Morris, B. J., & Krieger, J. N. (2017). Penile Inflammatory Skin Disorders And The Preventive Role Of Circumcision. International Journal Of Preventive Medicine, 8.
Steadman, B., & Ellsworth, P. (2006). To Circ Or Not To Circ: Indications, Risks, And Alternatives To Circumcision In The Pediatric Population With Phimosis. Urol Nurs, 26(3), 181-94.