This site discusses phimosis in its specific forms of phimotic ring, frenulum breve, adhesions or skinbridges. My concern is the early prevention of phimosis. The late correction of adult phimosis was never my interest. My belief is that once the medical profession realise the need, they will develop hundreds of new methods of treatment which I cant even imagine ... Therefore treatment is purely an appendix on this site, however, because I have no specific bias, my research allowed a rare objective survey of the many posibilities. This site offers detailed information on individual problem related treatment, often advising simple, cheap, minimal and specific surgery and time honoured solutions taken from traditional methods including partial circumcision, dorsal slit and frenular incision and tying. - (Links are given where appropriate to sites dealing with the modern solutions of preputial plasty and full-circumcision).

Supplementary file to Advice on Circumcision POSSIBLE COMPLAINTS FROM CIRCUMCISION AS ADULT A few words of practical caution are necessary about adult operations on childhood conditions. When the glans has never previously been exposed, this obviously requires a different form of treatment to that used by adults who wish circumcision from free choice. There is another danger which the patient must unfortunately be warned about. Whereas with frenoplasty one can guarantee the operator will perform a cut which is worthy of modern surgical perfectionism, circumcision, is all too often performed thoughtlessly. Pro circumcision sources (i.e. those who are well informed about and positively inclined towards circumcision) recommend the "Tara Clamp" and other modern gadgets for performing circumcision as being safer and better cosmetically than a free hand cut. Even with an expert operator or refined technique, one cannot avoid the resultant hyper sensitivity of the glans and the lack of mobility from a full circumcision. These are the practical reasons why a partial circumcision or a minimal dorsal slit may be preferable. (without a competent operator dorsal slit is always preferable because of the minimal risk of mistakes). Mobility and Lubrication One very practical point is that a full circumcision leaves little mobility of the foreskin and thus a need for lubrication, this is common to full circumcision at any age. I asked a renowned pro-circumcision doctor about this. >During intercourse it is the female that has much lubrication >provided when stimulated by the male. Since masturbation >is an "artificial" use of the organ then certainly substitute >lubricants might be expected to be used! This is a very interesting answer, some may agree that little boys (and big ones) shouldn't masturbate, but it is undeniable that with our cultures present ideology that if something inhibits or restricts a boys natural inclinations then this is unhealthy - therefore this is in fact an argument against circumcision. Hyper-Sensitivity of the Glans The most commonly reported ill effect of a late operation is a burning sensation from the newly exposed glans for the first month or two afterwards. This is normal, and unfortunately there is no recognised treatment for this, - men frequently ask (on the Forum) how to relieve it. - one must specifically ask the operating doctor for an anaesthetic cream. An alternative (experiment) may be using oil of cloves, possibly diluted with olive oil It is worth mentioning that childhood circumcision is frequently reported to leave the glans desensitivised - and in such cases we may imagine the glans and the nervous system has over compensated, resulting in a a numbness of the glans. ... If this is generally true, it would indicate the infant after being circumcised suffers considerable pain from his burning naked and wounded penis. Allergies The newly exposed glans can occasionally develop allergies. One man had an allergy which lasted for three years after his late operation before he discovered a cure by wearing undyed cotton underpants. In the meantime he was first advised it was psychosomatic, and then was sent to specialists, where a small histological probe was taken from the glans. This left a sore point on the glans which still caused pain by sex some 15 years after the operation. How is it possible for a sufferer to make a new start, when he is exposed to such side effects? Is this all necessary as part of being a man in the modern world? Partial Circumcision From partial circumcision the hyper sensitivity and need for lubrication will be minimalised. For the first ten days after the operation the stitches will be very uncomfortable as they dig in to the glans - in addition it will be advisable to retract or examine the scar every day to prevent skin bridges from forming. Hard Lumps and Stiff Scars Hard lumps are sometimes reported under the scar, presumably this is where the operator has tucked skin in, these lumps usually disappear within two weeks to two months. The scar may sometimes be uncomfortably hard and scratch against the glans. These factors must depend on stitching techniques and the thread used etc. This is usually hopefully only a beginners problem and after a few months any remaining hardness will usually soften up. - I have no more information on this. Loose Circumcision Confusion exists with the terminology between loose circumcision and partial circumcision or "overhang removal". Both leave a similar cosmetic appearance, however with a loose circumcision the sensitive inner foreskin is removed and the outer skin is turned over facing the glans - This should be avoided because it may leave a hard scar line near the coronal ridge of the glans and probably even more disturbingly because the outer skin is facing the glans (imagine turning the bark of a tree inside out and the effect this has on the trees transpiration) ... it seems this can effect the personal smell with a need to change washing habits. I would always advise that any adult who has never previously exposed the glans, first attempt stretching, creams, and then at all costs attempt to find a surgeon who will perform minimal surgery (a dorsal slit or partial circumcision). I feel it is essential for a successful operation that you find a doctor who truly understands why it is so necessary for him to perform an operation which leaves some protection for the previously unexposed glans. From a dorsal slit, I have never heard and cant imagine any uncomfortable after effects, except that it is rumoured that this gives an unpleasing cosmetic effect. However this would largely ocurr only when the slit is excessively long, a minimal slit is almost invisible. Please see Partial Circumcision