There are many doubts and concerns that men tend to have about the foreskin.
Its retraction, at what age they should do it, is it normal to feel pain when pulling it back, and much more are common unknowns.
However, talking about such a sensitive topic is often embarrassing for certain men. Here we offer you all the basic information you should know about him.
What is the foreskin?
The foreskin is that retractable and elastic skin that covers the shaft of the penis and the glans.
The external surface of the penis is a continuation of the skin of the penile body. It acts mainly as a mechanical barrier against the environment.
Its inner face is a mucous layer, similar to the mucosa of the eyelids. It is lubricated and can therefore slide along the penile body.
Inside the foreskin, we find a layer of smooth muscle fibers called the dartos fascia. The end of the foreskin (the portion that covers the glans) contains elastic fibers.
In infants, the elastic fibers act as a sphincter that opens when urinating, and then closes.
At the point where the inner layer of the foreskin comes into contact with the glans penis, it is called the balanopreputial groove.
In the lower part of the glans penis, an extension of the prepuce is observed that attaches to the balanopreputial groove, called the frenulum.
This tissue prevents eversion of the foreskin once it is fully retracted. Also, states of flaccidity, it keeps the foreskin in place.
The frenulum is a tissue rich in innervation, that is, it contains a high number of nerve endings, responsible for sexual stimulation.
Functions of the foreskin
The foreskin fulfills many roles, it is not only a skin that covers the penis as a barrier, it also offers protection in different ways.
protects the penis
The foreskin covers the penis and glans when it is flaccid, protecting it from any friction.
Frictions are irritating and can cause inflammation.
Therefore, the foreskin acts as a mechanical barrier that protects the penis, similar to the protection that the skin of the rest of the body offers our body.
Avoid infections
In infants, the foreskin covers the glans penis and protects it from microorganisms that may be found in the amniotic fluid or feces in the baby’s diaper.
In adult life, the foreskin acts as a barrier that protects against possible microorganisms that can infect the penis.
Remember that the foreskin is an extension of the skin and, therefore, microorganisms reside in it. These create a hostile environment against any virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite that seeks to invade the body.
stimulates the erection
Inside the penis are a large number of nerve endings. Historically, foreskin sensitivity has been associated with male sexual stimulation.
However, there is conflicting information and studies that argue that the foreskin is not related to sexual stimulation of the penis, while others are.
A 2015 study concluded that sexual stimulation derives from exposing the glans penis by retraction of the foreskin and not by the foreskin itself.
However, an international consensus has not been established on whether there is a decrease in sexual arousal after circumcision.
Promotes lubrication
The inside of the foreskin is a mucous layer, like any other in the body. It constantly secretes fluids that lubricate the penile body, avoiding friction when contracting.
It also facilitates penetration during sexual intercourse by acting as a lubricant.
Increases erogenous sensitivity
The end of the foreskin is packed with nerve endings called Meissner’s corpuscles.
These terminations are responsible for transmitting sensitivity for soft touch.
On the other hand, the sensitivity of the foreskin decreases in the posterior portion. In fact, of all the hairless parts of the skin, the foreskin is the one with the least number of sensitive endings.
Avoid erectile dysfunction
The foreskin is elastic tissue capable of retracting and expanding during sexual stimulation, facilitating erection and, therefore, a painless sexual act.
In addition, the sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands facilitates the mechanical traction of the foreskin without causing friction.
In situations where there is some inflammation of the foreskin (prostatitis) or some malformation of the retractor apparatus of the foreskin.
Serves in plastic procedures
The foreskin of circumcised neonates or adults can be used as grafts.
A graft is a surgical procedure that involves using a segment of skin from one part of the body to cover another part of the body that has been injured by trauma, burns, infections, or surgery.
Skin grafts reduce the severity of the injury, in addition to the hospitalization time required.
A study published in the Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery observed that the grafts were not rejected by the patients within two weeks, all the wounds healed satisfactorily.
Foreskin diseases
The foreskin can be affected in different ways, from inflammations caused by microorganisms to its narrowness. Below we mention some of the most common diseases of the foreskin.
Phimosis
It is the inability of the foreskin to fully retract. During childhood, the foreskin is attached to the penis, so retraction of the foreskin is not possible.
However, during the second decade of life, retraction is facilitated. A Danish survey found that the average age for the first retraction of the foreskin in the men interviewed was 10.4 years.
This type of phimosis is known as physiological, where the inability of the foreskin to retract persists into adulthood.
Pathological or abnormal phimosis is secondary to inflammatory processes of the glans penis only (balanitis) or also of the prepuce (balanoposthitis).
The most common cause is a hardening of the elastic fibers at the tip of the foreskin. Other less frequent causes are repeated catheterization and untreated diabetes.
paraphimosis
It is similar to the previous one, however, the narrowness of the foreskin occurs after the glans. As a result, the glans swells due to compression of the blood vessels.
It is a rare complication, but very risky. It is generally an iatrogenic lesion, that is, it is accidentally produced by health professionals when improperly handling the patient’s foreskin.
Less frequent causes are infections or contact dermatitis.
If paraphimosis persists for hours, it should be treated immediately. Otherwise, tissue death will occur.
Balanitis
It is the inflammation of the glans. It is a relatively common condition in uncircumcised men (1 in 30) and does not carry a greater risk if it is treated properly.
The causes are multiple, but the most common is inadequate personal hygiene. Secretions accumulated under the foreskin, humidity and heat lead to infections.
Among other causes we have STDs (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HPV), streptococcal bacteria, fungi, irritation by chemical agents (bath soaps or detergents), allergic reactions to drugs (tetracyclines or sulfonamides) and latex present in condoms.
Similarly, conditions that cause fluid accumulation, such as nephrosis and congestive heart failure are also possible causes.
Risk factors for balanitis are phimosis, morbid obesity, inadequate hygiene, uncontrolled diabetes, and catheterization.
Its treatment is based on the application of topical antifungal, antibiotic or anti-inflammatory creams.
smegma
It is a whitish, milky-looking discharge. It is made up of dead epithelial cells plus the sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands in the genitals.
Its function is to lubricate the penis and avoid irritation. However, when the person does not apply adequate hygienic measures, the smegma accumulates in the balanopreputial groove.
This abnormal accumulation makes the male glans a prone site for all kinds of infections.
foreskin care
The genitals are delicate areas that deserve to be cared for with scrutiny.
However, it does not mean that care is complicated. Many times, preventive care is easy to follow, it just requires consistency.
Next, we will show you different measures that you can take to take care of your genitals:
Maintain proper hygiene
Smegma only becomes a problem when excess is not routinely removed.
Let’s remember that smegma is not just bait, but dead cells and natural microorganisms on the skin. Lodging this waste for a long time increases the risk of a penile infection or, worse still, urinary tract infections.
To wash your foreskin, it must be carefully pulled back. If the smegma has hardened, pulling back your foreskin may be more difficult. However, excessive force should not be applied.
Soap and water is applied to the area, on and under the foreskin, cleaning carefully and avoiding friction. Once it has been cleaned, let the water run over the soapy area to remove it.
Gently dry the inner skin of the foreskin and carefully bring it back to its original position.
Remember not to use material that could hurt your foreskin, since it is a sensitive area and prone to inflammation.
Perform these procedures daily, they guarantee that the risk of balanitis due to infection is reduced.
Avoid forcing the foreskin
During childhood, the baby’s foreskin cannot retract as the elastic fibers prevent it. This is a defense mechanism for the baby to avoid infections from contact with fecal material in the diaper.
However, as the person grows, adherence decreases. Some children experience their first full retraction at the age of 5 years, others later.
Regardless of age, the foreskin must be carefully retracted. Forcing the foreskin could result in pain, bleeding, scarring, and possible complications in later stages.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.