Norton Children’s Urology staff physicians in Louisville are fellowship trained in pediatric and adolescent urology specialty care. They have the expertise to know when phimosis will improve naturally or when a physician needs to treat it.

We have state-of-the-art equipment that is unavailable elsewhere in Louisville. We also are able to provide sedation.

Our specialists bring skill, respect and sensitivity to caring for your child’s urological needs.

Phimosis is common in newborn boys. It occurs when foreskin retraction is difficult or impossible. Phimosis may appear as a tight foreskin or “rubber band” of foreskin around the tip of the penis.

Over time, the foreskin typically loosens, allowing foreskin retraction. If this doesn’t occur, treatment may be required.

Causes

The condition occurs naturally in babies and toddlers.
Phimosis also can occur if the foreskin is forced back before it’s ready. This can cause scar tissue to form, which may prevent future foreskin retraction.

Signs and symptoms

Common symptoms of phimosis are:

• Bulging of the foreskin or swollen foreskin during urination
• Inability to completely retract the foreskin in older children
• Some children with phimosis experience frequent infections

Phimosis treatment

Phimosis treatment depends on a child’s age and severity of the condition. We may recommend application of a steroid cream to loosen the tight foreskin. If an older child experiences ballooning of the foreskin while urinating, we may recommend circumcision (surgical removal of the foreskin).