Paraphimosis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment




Causes of paraphimosis:

  • Infection
  • Physical trauma to the genital area
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Tight foreskin
  • Penile piercings
  • Retracted foreskin for extended period

Symptoms of paraphimosis:

The main symptom will be the inability to replace the foreskin in its original position. Pain and swelling of the tip of the penis are also common. There might be change in the colour of the tip of the penis which can turn dark red or blue due to lack of blood supply.

Treatment options for Paraphimosis:

Medical treatment for Paraphimosis: in medical management the patient is reassured, swelling reduced and the prepucal skin is brought to its original position. There are various methods that can be tried for reducing the swelling.
  • Ice packs are used around the penis to reduce the swelling
  • Mannitol or sugar soaked gauze is also used to wrap the penis. This works on the basis that fluid will move from an area of hypotonicity to an area of hypertonicity and hence the swelling reduces. These are osmotic agents.
  • Direct circumferential manual compression (this works and is tolerated better if done after giving local block). In this procedure the foreskin is circumferentially compressed for 2 – 10 min to “squeeze” out the oedematous fluid and then reduction of the foreskin is attempted.
  • Hyaluronidase is another substance that can be injected. It breaks down the hyaluronic acid in the connective tissue and hence better tissue diffusion and reduction of swelling.
Prior to reduction local blocks should be used to minimise pain and ensure better co operation from the patient. Dorsal penile block and ring block are used either in combination or separately.

For surgical Treatment of Pharaphimosis in Chennai:
Metromale Clinic - T Nagar (Men Fertility, Sexual Health and IVF Center)
No.1, Crescent Park Street, T. Nagar, Parthasarathi Puram, T Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
090928 49786



Metromale Clinic - OMR (Men Fertility, Sexual Health and IVF Center)
5/395, Old Mahabalipuram Rd, Nedunchezian Salai, Indira Nagar, Thoraipakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600057
097102 04044

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