What exactly does foreskin mean?

Foreskin hyperplasia refers to a physiological phenomenon in which the foreskin of the male penis completely or partially covers the glans in its natural state, but can be manually turned up to expose the glans.

1. Physiological foreskin hyperplasia

Most men have a long foreskin before puberty, which may improve on its own as they grow. The foreskin can be easily turned up and cleaned, and intervention is usually not required when there is no redness, swelling or pain. Pay attention to daily cleaning of the perineum to avoid accumulation of dirt and irritation.

2. True foreskin is too long

After the penis is erect, the glans cannot be fully exposed, but it can be exposed with manual assistance. It may be related to congenital developmental abnormalities and is prone to smegma accumulation. It is recommended to wash it with warm water every day and turn it upside down to dry it to keep it dry to reduce the risk of infection.

3. Risk of secondary infection

Excessive foreskin may increase the probability of foreskinitis and balanitis, which may manifest as local redness, swelling, and increased secretions. Candida albicans or bacterial infection needs to be checked, and topical drugs such as erythromycin ointment and clotrimazole cream should be used to control inflammation as directed by the doctor.

4. Urinary dysfunction

Severe foreskin may affect normal urination, leading to symptoms such as thin urine lines and bifurcated urine. Urethral meatal stenosis may develop in the long term, which needs to be improved by foreskin dilation or circumcision to avoid complications such as urinary retention.

5. Impact on sexual function

Some patients have abnormal sensitivity of the glans due to long-term wrapping by the foreskin, which may affect their sexual life. It can be improved through progressive desensitization training. Surgical intervention is required when combined with foreskin stenosis, and rehabilitation exercises are required to restore function after surgery.

Breathable cotton underwear should be chosen for daily use to avoid stress on the perineum due to prolonged sitting. When cleaning, be gentle and do not forcefully turn up the loosened foreskin. If infections occur repeatedly, difficulty urinating, or quality of life is affected, it is recommended to go to the urology department to evaluate the indications for surgery. The wound needs to be kept dry after surgery and the healing status should be reviewed regularly.