The redundant foreskin is characterized by the fact that the skin covering the final area of the penis, known as the glans, comes to cover entirely or a large part of it during an erection. Although this disorder is not linked to cases of phimosis, it is essential that the patient go to a trusted professional for a correct review and strictly follow the treatment provided by him.
The redundant foreskin can be closely related to generating problems in intimate hygiene or in the moments in which they have sexual intercourse due to the shame due to the excess skin. It can also happen that you suffer from extra sensitivity in the area. Likewise, men with this disorder are more likely to suffer various conditions such as infections or paraphimosis.
In the following FastlyHealarticle, you can find much information about redundant foreskin: what it is, symptoms and treatment.
Table of Contents
What is a redundant foreskin?
To properly understand what the redundant foreskin is about, it is essential to know that the skin that covers the glans, which is the head or the final section of the penis, is known as the foreskin. This skin has several functions, among which it stands out to take care of the glans from various damages or external pathogens that can cause considerable damage. At the same time, it protects and maintains the correct sensitivity of the glans and, as it is a part of the epidermis that contracts, it can facilitate the proper cleaning of the glans and generate great pleasure when maintaining intimate relationships due to the many nerve endings that can be found on the glans.
Men who suffer from redundant foreskin mean that the skin in this body area is longer and more abundant than usual, which is why it covers all or a large part of the glans at times of erection. In other words, patients with this alteration do not have spontaneous retraction, so the foreskin must be retracted by the man using his hands or various friction movements to contract it.
Likewise, having a long foreskin does not mean that it is phimosis since, unlike this, there is no inability to retract this skin fold behind the glans. Still, this excess tissue could generate some difficulties during sexual intercourse, genital hygiene, and urination [1].
Symptoms of a very long foreskin
Although each patient may manifest different symptoms, there are certain standard features in most men with redundant foreskin, and among them, the following stand out [2] :
- They present more odor because a more significant amount of smegma accumulates, which is a whitish secretion that gets in the folds and that, if not cleaned properly, can favor the development of infections.
- They suffer from diseases more often.
- They have hypersensitivity in the glans.
- They observe the covered glans.
- Your foreskin does not retract on its own during sexual intercourse.
- Generally, the urine stream is thinner compared to other men.
Possible complications from having a long foreskin
Men with a redundant foreskin can suffer from various complications such as:
- Balanitis: By causing some difficulty in intimate hygiene, the redundant foreskin can cause significant inflammation and irritation of the glans penis, known as balanitis [3].
- Paraphimosis: By forcing the penis skin to retract, paraphimosis can occur, an alteration characterized by the inability of the foreskin to re-cover the glans after it is rejected.
- Phimosis: The orifice of the foreskin is narrowed, preventing the glans from passing; that is, the foreskin cannot be retracted, and the glans is not exposed, which could cause various alterations4.
Treatment for redundant foreskin
The long foreskin needs to be treated by a specialist, so it is recommended to go to a trusted medical center. Although there are different possibilities, doctors may advise the patient on circumcision or undergoing foreskin, depending on each particular case.
Circumcision is a very classic surgical procedure that is used to shorten the foreskin and get the glans exposed, either partially or totally. It is a simple operation, but it requires a few days of rest. The stitches can fall out over 7 to 14 days. It is advised not to maintain any intimacy for 4 or 6 weeks after the treatment; then, the man can masturbate and have sex usually.
The foreskin is a treatment that is more aimed at aesthetics; it is the best alternative for patients with a long foreskin without problems manually retracting it behind the glans. This is because, as it is a minor surgery, its total effect cannot be guaranteed in all cases if the redundant foreskin is accompanied by phimosis. Only a longitudinal cut is made on it in this procedure, and it is sewn transversely. In this way, the patient obtains a penis very similar to that of any man.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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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.