Phimosis

There exists a condition called phimosis, in which the male foreskin cannot be fully retracted.

It is entirely normal for the prepuce to be adherant to the glans in babies, and for the prepuce to not fully retract in young boys. Premature retraction, which is extremely painful, can cause permanent damage to the glans and ridged band, and is also the primary cause of infection in this area. As a boy grows to sexual maturity the prepuce normally becomes retractable.

Consult a doctor if phimosis is a problem.

See also:

• paraphimosis
• circumcision