What Is Paraphimosis?

What Are the Symptoms of Paraphimosis?

The main symptom of paraphimosis is the inability to return the foreskin back to its normal position over the tip of the penis. The foreskin and the tip of the penis may be swollen and painful. The tip of the penis may also be dark red or blue due to a lack of blood flow.

Call your doctor right away if you discover any of these symptoms.

What Causes Paraphimosis?

Paraphimosis most commonly occurs when a healthcare professional forgets to pull the foreskin back to its normal position after a medical examination or procedure.

Other causes of paraphimosis include:

• having an infection
• experiencing physical trauma to the genital area
• pulling the foreskin back too forcefully
• having a foreskin thats tighter than normal
• having a foreskin that has been pulled back for an extended period

What Are the Potential Complications of Paraphimosis?

Paraphimosis may lead to serious complications if it isn’t treated quickly.The condition can cause reduced blood flow in the penis, which deprives the tissues of oxygen. When this happens, paraphimosis can result in:

• a severe infection
• damage to the tip of the penis
• gangrene, or tissue death, resulting in the loss of the tip of the penis

How Can Paraphimosis Be Prevented?

A complete circumcision can prevent paraphimosis. If you aren’t circumcised, paraphimosis can be prevented by:

• practicing good hygiene and cleaning the tip of the penis regularly
• always placing the foreskin back over the tip of the penis after it has been pulled back for cleaning, sexual intercourse, or urination
• making sure that a healthcare provider has pulled the foreskin back to its normal position after an exam or procedure
• never leaving the foreskin behind the tip of the penis for extended periods of time