Paraphimosis is a medical emergency that affects men. The skin that covers the glans of the penis (called the foreskin) is located behind it and cannot return to its normal position, causing a constriction just below the glans. . This constriction can cause pain, inflammation. If it is left and progresses for a long time, it can even cause necrosis, for which the affected person must go to a medical service to resolve the situation.
In this FastlyHealarticle, we will explain what paraphimosis is about: causes, symptoms, and treatment, so that you know how to identify this emergency in case it arises and you can solve it appropriately.
Table of Contents
Causes of paraphimosis in adults
Paraphimosis only occurs in men who have not undergone a circumcision or partial circumcision. It is due to a retracted position of the foreskin that is not returned to its corresponding position afterward. There are several possible causes of this situation, all of which are generally related to the carelessness on the part of the affected person or a treating physician:
- In most cases, it is due to improper manipulation of the penis during a clinical examination or procedure, such as placement of a Foley catheter or endoscopy.
- The affected person can also cause paraphimosis during the grooming of the penis or sexual acts when he has not taken care to return the foreskin to its normal position.
- Other conditions of the penis can predispose to paraphimoses, such as balanitis or infection.
- The affected person may have difficulty or inability to urinate due to the canal’s closure or due to the pain it produces.
Symptoms of paraphimosis
The main characteristic of paraphimosis is inflammation of the penis, especially the glans and foreskin of the penis, which is caused by the constriction of the foreskin at the base of the glans. The inflammation of the foreskin, in turn, produces even more compression, thus creating a vicious cycle where the inflammation has even more rash.
Due to the pressure and inflammation, the affected person usually has symptoms of pain that can be severe, and the glans begin to lose color due to the little arrival of blood.
When the urgency is not resolved in time, the glans tissue can begin to necrotize due to the absence of blood supply, and in turn, the necrosis predisposes to the appearance of infections.
Paraphimosis: treatment
The treatment of paraphimosis involves its relocation to its normal position, which is usually achieved by manipulating the tissues by a specialist, who will make progressive movements of the foreskin and glans until the goal is achieved. To facilitate this, the inflammation of the glans is usually treated first, which is achieved by compression, massage with wet gauze, and even the drainage of the liquid within the inflamed tissue.
Due to this situation’s pain, the doctor may apply local anesthesia to the region to make the procedure more tolerable. Similarly, applying lubricant to the foreskin and glans can facilitate the operation.
Paraphimosis: operation
In situations where the foreskin cannot be repositioned manually, surgery should be considered in which a cut will be made to relieve the constricting ring formed by the glans.
Circumcision may be performed as a last resort, but this is often left a last resort due to how complicated it is to perform the procedure on a swollen foreskin. It is preferable to relieve paraphimosis manually and suggest a circumcision for the future when the tissue is in a normal state.
How to prevent paraphimosis
Since paraphimosis is usually caused by the carelessness of the affected person or someone who has performed a clinical procedure on the penis, the primary prevention method is to verify that the foreskin is returned to its normal position whenever it is retracted after cleaning of sexual acts and after examination by a specialist or for any other situation.
Circumcision is perhaps the best way to prevent this condition because when done correctly, it is impossible to suffer paraphimosis. After all, the foreskin, which is the skin that covers the penis, is removed during the procedure.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Paraphimosis: causes, symptoms, and treatment – with photos, we recommend that you enter our category of Male reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.