If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

OVERVIEW

What is paraphimosis?

Paraphimosis (say: “para-fim-oh-sus”) is a serious condition that can happen only in men and boys who haven’t been circumcised. Paraphimosis means the foreskin is stuck behind the head of the penis and can’t be pulled back down into a normal position.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

What causes paraphimosis?

Uncircumcised men sometimes pull the foreskin back during sex, when they go to the bathroom or when they clean their penises. Healthcare providers and nurses might pull the foreskin back when they examine the penis or put in a catheter.

Sometimes you, a healthcare provider or a nurse might forget to pull the foreskin back down. If the foreskin is left behind the head of the penis too long, your penis might swell so much that the foreskin is trapped behind it.

TREATMENT

What happens if I get paraphimosis?

Paraphimosis usually causes pain in your penis, but not always. You might get an infection in your penis. You might not be able to go to the bathroom at all. If you can’t pull your foreskin over the head of your penis, you need to contact your healthcare provider right away.

The first thing your healthcare provider will do is treat the swelling. This can be done by pressing your penis with a hand or by wrapping your penis in a tight bandage. After the swelling has gone away, your healthcare provider should be able to pull the foreskin back down. If the foreskin remains stuck, your healthcare provider might need to make a small cut in the trapped foreskin to loosen it.

PREVENTION

What can I do to avoid getting paraphimosis?

• After having sex, going to the bathroom or cleaning yourself, be sure to pull the foreskin back down to its natural position.
• Never leave the foreskin behind the head of your penis for any longer than you need to.
• If a catheter is put into your bladder, check afterward to be sure that the foreskin is covering the head of your penis.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

• What is the best treatment for me?
• How long will it take before the swelling in my penis goes down?
• How long will it be before the cut in my foreskin heals?
• Is there anything I can do at home to stop this from happening?
• Is it safe to have sex soon after I’m treated?

Sources

Paraphimosis: Current Treatment Options by JM Choe, MD (12/15/00, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001215/2623.html)