Similar to women, men’s fertility also plays a paramount role in the pregnancy journey. They should be healthy enough to improve the chances of conception naturally. One such significant cause that threatens the men is phimosis.
Is phimosis causing impacts on men’s fertility? This is one of the common questions that arise from men when they are diagnosed with this condition. But before we know whether it is related to male fertility, we want to know what phimosis is.
A phimosis is a condition where the foreskin over the penis is too tight and doesn’t pull back from the head. It causes tightness and discomfort during urination or erection. Men who are suffering with this medical condition are afraid whether it will affect their fertility.
It may seem serious, but let’s see whether phimosis is directly related to male fertility and reduces the chances of achieving pregnancy.
Does Phimosis Cause infertility?
No, there is no evidence that a phimosis can cause infertility. It is just a medical condition that restricts the movement of foreskin on the penis. They don’t affect the quality and quantity of the sperm. But it might create some discomfort in the male’s sexual life.
Here are some of the facts, including how it is directly and indirectly related to your fertility.
Does Phimosis Directly Cause Infertility?
These are the impacts that can be created directly due to phimosis:
You will be Infected
Phimosis causes a severe infection if left untreated for a longer period. As the days pass, you can lead to conditions like epididymis and orchitis, affecting the sperm quality.
Disturb your Sexual Activity
As mentioned earlier, the foreskin needs to be pulled back while urinated or ejected. If not, you will be feeling painful and uncomfortable during erection. This condition causes unhappy sex life in men and affects ejaculation.
Difficulties in Ejaculation
A man’s foreskin is restricted to pullback when they are suffering from phimosis. It might cause discomfort and pain during erection. The foreskin may obstruct the flow of semen into the vagina while the penis is being covered.
Indirect Ways Phimosis May Affect Fertility
Here are some indirect impacts listed that phimosis can cause, such as:
Affects Hygiene
Phimosis can cause the risk of smegma accumulation. Smegma, in a nutshell, is a thick, creamy substance produced by genitals when it is not cleaned properly. It can lead to bacterial infection that affects the quality of sperm and makes the man’s reproductive health worse.
Risk of Injuries
When the foreskin is not in the movement, it causes some tears during forced erection. This condition creates bacterial infection and injuries in the penis that can potentially lead to poor men’s reproductive health.
Psychological Effects
Pain or discomfort during ejaculation is embarrassing for men. This inability causes stress, which psychologically affects them and reduces their sex drive.
Risk of Contracting STIs
The forceful erection causes tears in the foreskin. It increases the risk of contracting STIs (sexually transmitted infections) that can severely influence your sperm health and production.
Types of Phimosis and Their Impact on Fertility
Phimosis is classified into two types: physiological and pathological phimosis. Based on the condition, doctors decide their type of condition.
Physiological Phimosis
This type of phimosis is most commonly found in children who are naturally born with tight foreskin. But when a boy grows older, this condition usually resolves on their own, and the skin loosens once it is separated from the head.
This condition can be cured naturally when the boy is ages 5 to 7. In some cases, it may take a bit longer time to cure.
Pathological Phimosis
Pathological phimosis occurs due to any infection or injury in the foreskin of the penis. It can happen to men of any age. However, the forceful erection or retraction causes foreskin to tear and start bleeding. In that case, it is important to visit the doctor to rectify any issue. Delay in treatment may lead to any serious complications.
Why Does Phimosis Occur?
The exact reason is unknown yet. When occurring in babies, these unexpected circumstances can happen in the uterus. The foreskin and glans of the penis are naturally fused together. But this condition can be resolved when the boy grows older, especially in their 5 to 7 years.
Phimosis can also happen due to infection, inflammation, or injury in the foreskin of the penis. This situation is quite serious and needs immediate treatment to stop causing further conditions.
How to Prevent Phimosis
Doctors recommend some hygienic advice and preventive measures to their patients. Following these ways can help people from worse causes:
Using lukewarm water and mild soap prevents irritation and allergies around your foreskin. It is important to avoid using harmful and scented soap products.
- Keep your foreskin around the penis dry and clean to prevent the risk of smegma and severe bacterial infection.
- Forceful erection can make the condition even more severe. Following safe sex measures protects your skin from injury and tears.
- It is best to avoid using any deodorants, talcum powder, and other harmful cosmetic products near your penis.
- Finally, if you find any discomfort or pain around the penis, it is important to consult the doctor and undergo appropriate medical treatment immediately.
Treatment Options for Phimosis and Fertility Concerns
These are the treatment options the doctor suggests for phimosis:
Topical Steroid Creams: It is the first-line procedure for phimosis suggested by doctors. It is a kind of steroid cream recommended to apply to the foreskin. This cream allows some degree of retraction and makes your skin more elastic.
Preputioplasty: It is a surgical procedure that involves widening the foreskin. It causes skin to move flexibly without any pain or discomfort.
Circumcision: If none of the above treatments work for your condition, doctors will suggest this last-line treatment. During this surgical procedure, the foreskin of the penis is completely removed.
Conclusion
Phimosis is a serious issue, but it can be treatable. Based on the situation, doctors suggest the necessary preventive measures to avoid causing any critical worries. Most importantly, the delay in treatment affects fertility and causes difficulties in achieving a pregnancy. So, it is best to visit the doctor once you find this issue
Yes, phimosis is serious trouble that needs immediate treatment to avoid any fertility issues. Leaving this situation for a longer period causes various complications, including:
- Foreskin inflammation
- Glans inflammation
- Painful erections
- Painful urination
- Penile bleeding or irritation
- Paraphimosis
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
No, the surgery is the last-line option when other treatments don’t work. As a first step, they suggest steroid cream to apply around the foreskin of the penis. It increases the degree of retraction and makes the penis elastic. However, based on your condition, doctors recommend the treatment option.
Yes, babies are naturally born with tight foreskin. But it is not a critical condition to worry about. It can be resolved on their own when the boy reaches 5 to 7 years of age. In some cases, it may take a bit longer time.
As a first step, you need to maintain good penile hygiene. Clean the penis with lukewarm water and mild soap, and then dry it gently. It can be quite effective and let your condition cure quickly.
