Dr Leslie Gellman

Phimosis in Children

What is phimosis? 

Phimosis is the inability to pull the foreskin back over the head of the penis (glans). The head of penis is covered by a tissue called the foreskin. The foreskin is usually loose and slides easily over the head of the penis. This movement allows the child to urinate or to become fully erect (in adolescents). 

Sometimes, though, the foreskin is too tight. It can close over the glans and become unable to move. This condition is called phimosis. 

How common is phimosis? 

Phimosis affects only boys and is normal in infants and toddlers. If an infant’s foreskin has not been removed surgically (circumcision), it is attached to the glans for the first few years. The foreskin typically separates between ages 2 and 6. Forcing your child’s foreskin back can cause pain and damage. In most cases, it will detach naturally on its own. Phimosis becomes less common with age. The foreskin can be pulled back behind the glans in about half of 1-year-old boys and in nearly 90% of 3-year-olds.

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