This site discusses phimosis in its specific forms of phimotic ring, frenulum breve, adhesions or skinbridges. During erection these conditions inhibit the relationship between foreskin and glans. This functionally restricts the erection, and thus has an effect on the sexuality. With our culture's attitudes on health care, it would be appropriate to encourage early prevention. Jan 2021 : Please read the new summary.

D AVE'S L ETTER sci.med newsgroup Date: Mon, 09 Sep 1996 18:55:48 GMT Robin Stuart wrote: >>Or, due to the difficulties experienced when attempting to retract his >>foreskin, a boy may believe this act to be unnatural, and he may even grow >>up adapting to this unconscious anatomical inhibition. Steve Ward wrote: >This seems highly unlikely. Most boys will compare 'notes' etc with their >peers. [snipped] Unfortunately there are a percentage of boys who are not able to compare 'notes' and do indeed grow up to have psychological problems of a varying severity. I now know of several cases where boys have passed through puberty, and reached the state of manhood with undiagnosed problems. Including a man who discovered he was unable to have sex on his wedding night because of phimosis. Undoubtedly this is an extreme case, but underlies that point that both men and boys can - over time, adapt their beliefs and thinking patterns to accommodate their anatomical conditions. Psychological problems are real, and not as rare as might be believed. For myself, I reached the age of 26 with undiagnosed phimosis. At this time I was suffering deep emotional scarring from the discovery that I made at the age of 15. The inability to retract my foreskin led me to make incorrect assumptions about myself, including the idea that I was never meant to have sex. The lack of information available to me, assisted in the physical and psychological trauma that I suffered from for many years. I suspect that many boys and men are ignorant of their own bodies. Perhaps only an increase in awareness, and the ability to talk openly and freely will cure many of these problems. Dave.