>>General Info about Phimosis
Among the many diseases and infections, there are a few which have a gender bias in the way it affects. One very common problem seen in males, but goes without much attention and which gets exploited by quacks is Phimosis. Many males are embarrassed to discuss this with others. Phimosis is the inability to retract the prepuce (foreskin) of penis over the shaft due to a narrow opening.

>>Anatomy of pelvis:
The male organ penis consists of a tubular cylindrical body called shaft of penis. It opens at its end and this area is called 'Meatus'. The skin at the end can be pulled back to a short distance and this skin is often called the foreskin (or prepuce). The foreskin protects the more delicate 'glans' and 'meatus' (the hole or opening at the end of the penis). In people who have had 'circumcision' this foreskin is removed.

>>What are the causes of Phimosis ?
* Phimosis is congenital or acquired:-
In acquired phimosis there is chronic inflammation of the tip of the penis and prepuce (fore skin) or there are adhesions between Glans & prepuce or due to malignancy.

In congenital causes it is present since birth.

Phimosis is usually caused by thickening and repeated inflammation of the foreskin. Once this happens the foreskin fails to retract over the glans.

>>How can we diagnose Phimosis ?
* On Examination
1. Pin hole opening of foreskin
2. Difficulty to push back the foreskin over the shaft of the penis.
3. Balooning of foreskin - A bulge in the tip of penis as urine accumulates under the foreskin.

>>How can Phimosis be treated ?
Circumcision is the only permanent cure. This refers to the surgical retraction of foreskin.
More Valuable information about Phimosis.If untreated complications of phimosis can occur:
1. Infected foreskin leads to infection of glans also.
2. The tip of the foreskin acts like a ring and retracts over the shaft of the penis causing pain and discomfort (this condition is called paraphimosis).
3. Back pressure due to obstruction of flow of urine.
4. Meatal Stenosis - narrowing of penile opening.
5. Sometimes a cancerous ulcer on glans can cause the adhesion to take place.