
The presence of a tight foreskin is quite a discomforting condition in males. A large majority of baby boys are born with a tight foreskin but the condition resolves on its own over time. Only about 2 percent of adult men have a tight foreskin.
The tightness of the foreskin can be congenital (from birth) or can occur due to poor hygiene, infections, or skin conditions.
A tight foreskin is associated with penile problems like phimosis and paraphimosis. Phimosis is the condition of non-retractability of the foreskin whereas, in paraphimosis, the retracted foreskin cannot be pulled back to its original position.
Having a tight foreskin can be quite a troublesome condition. If you have a tight foreskin, you may experience difficulty in retracting the foreskin. The retraction can be very painful too. You may also experience inflammation in the area.
For some men, having a tight foreskin can also become a reason for embarrassment. This may cause hesitation and prevent them from discussing the problem with a specialist doctor.
However, you should be aware that this condition needs proper and timely treatment. Otherwise, the condition can worsen over time and can even lead to erectile dysfunction in the case of some men.
How can tight foreskin cause erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which a man faces difficulty in obtaining or maintaining an erection. Both psychological and physiological factors can lead to erectile dysfunction. Episodes of erectile dysfunction once in a while are common but facing the problem of erectile dysfunction frequently is definitely something to be concerned about.
The tightness of the foreskin and the associated penile problems can lead to erectile dysfunction in some cases. Sexual intercourse with a tight foreskin can be quite painful for you. It also increases the chances of injury during sex.
Injuries to the penis during sexual intercourse can even lead to bending of the penis and other penile deformities. These deformities are closely linked to erectile dysfunction in men.
Also, the pain and discomfort experienced during sex may lead to a lot of stress and anxiety. It may become a reason for distress between you and your partner. This anxiety can also lead to apprehension and a lack of self-confidence. This, in turn, can trigger the psychological factors responsible for erectile dysfunction.
Moreover, if you forcefully try to retract the foreskin, there is a high chance that the foreskin may get stuck and form a tight ring around the penis, leading to paraphimosis. Paraphimosis leads to impaired blood flow to the penis, thereby causing difficulty in erections. Paraphimosis is an emergency condition and can even cause penile gangrene (death of penile tissues). In severe cases of penile gangrene, amputation of the penis may be required.
What to do if you are experiencing erectile dysfunction due to tight foreskin?
If you have a tight foreskin and have been recently experiencing the problems of erectile dysfunction, consult a specialist doctor immediately. If left untreated, erectile dysfunction can even cause permanent impotence. Therefore, timely treatment of erectile dysfunction and the tight foreskin is necessary.
For erectile dysfunction caused due to psychological factors like anxiety or stress, therapy proves to be very effective.
Certain yoga poses also help in reducing the troubles of erectile dysfunction. Yoga asanas like Paschimottanasana, Kumbhakasana, Naukasana, Dhanurasana, etc significantly improve erectile dysfunction. These asanas aim to beat erectile dysfunction by stimulating the hormones, improving testosterone levels, and increasing blood flow to the pelvic region.
However, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction caused due to physiological conditions, the root cause has to be treated. If in your case, erectile dysfunction is a result of a tight foreskin, your doctor will treat the foreskin condition, and this should be enough to prevent further episodes of erectile dysfunction.
Stretching exercises of the foreskin can help in overcoming erectile dysfunction
In mild cases, stretching exercises can help in the gradual retraction of the foreskin. These stretching exercises should preferably be performed while bathing. It is even better if you use warm water for the shower as it speeds up the loosening of the foreskin. You can use lubricants for making the retraction easier. Remember to perform the stretching exercises with proper precautions. Also, do not overstretch the skin as this can cause scarring and the condition may become worse.
Ointments to get rid of the tight foreskin
Your doctor may also prescribe certain ointments or topical creams. These ointments usually contain steroids and help in the loosening of the foreskin. Betamethasone and hydrocortisone are the most widely prescribed topical steroids for the treatment of tight foreskin. Using these ointments along with gentle and gradual retraction of the foreskin is successful in about 80 percent of the cases. (Also Read: Top 8 best phimosis treatment creams)
Circumcision to cure severe cases of tight foreskin
In serious cases, however, circumcision may be required. Do not fret too much, as nowadays, laser circumcision is available. It is a minimally invasive procedure and you will get rid of all your penile problems once and for all. And rest assured circumcision will not affect your fertility in any manner. There are no cuts, wounds, or stitches involved in the laser circumcision procedure. The laser beam directly acts on the foreskin with damaging the surrounding penile tissues. It is a state of the art procedure that takes up 20-30 minutes to complete and the patient can walk back home on the same day (within 24 hours).
So if you too are suffering from the troubles of tight foreskin and erectile dysfunction, you can contact Pristyn Care. Our medical coordinators will get you in touch with experienced doctors so that you can receive the best treatment according to your condition.
Also Read: