Phimosis

Phimosis is defined as the inability to retract the foreskin of the penis.

Physiologic phimosis is present in almost all newborn males. Over time, there is a very high chance that physiological phimosis will resolve spontaneously.

Pathological phimosis is defined as the foreskin that cannot be retracted (turned back) secondary to scarring of the foreskin, as occurs with fibrosis due to trauma, infection and / or inflammation. A scar can form on the foreskin from wounds due to forced retraction or after bouts of infection.