Paraphimosis Overview
Learn About Paraphimosis
Paraphimosis occurs when the foreskin of an uncircumcised male cannot be pulled back over the head of the penis.
Causes of paraphimosis include:
- Injury to the penis.
- Failure to return the foreskin to its normal location after urination or washing. This is more common in hospitals and nursing homes.
- Infection, which may be due to not washing the area well.
Men who have not been circumcised and those who may not have been correctly circumcised are at risk.
Paraphimosis occurs most often in boys and older men.
The foreskin is pulled back (retracted) behind the rounded tip of the penis (glans) and stays there. The retracted foreskin and glans become swollen. This makes it difficult to return the foreskin to its extended position.
Symptoms include:
- Inability to pull the retracted foreskin forward over the head of the penis
- Painful swelling at the end of the penis
- Pain in the penis
Pressing on the head of the penis while pushing the foreskin forward may reduce the swelling. If this fails, prompt surgical circumcision or other surgery to relieve swelling will be needed.
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Ryan Terlecki is an Urologist in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Terlecki and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Paraphimosis. His top areas of expertise are Urethral Stricture, Stress Urinary Incontinence, Urinary Incontinence, Reconstructive Urology Surgery, and Prostatectomy. Dr. Terlecki is currently accepting new patients.
Indiana University Health Southern Indiana Physicians LLC
Paula Bunde is an Urologist in Nashville, Indiana. Dr. Bunde and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Paraphimosis. Her top areas of expertise are Hydronephrosis, Obstructive Uropathy, UPJ Obstruction, Ureteroscopy, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Bunde is currently accepting new patients.
Urology Center PC
Stephen Lim is an Urologist in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Lim and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Paraphimosis. His top areas of expertise are Obstructive Uropathy, Familial Prostate Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Ureteroscopy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery. Dr. Lim is currently accepting new patients.
The outcome is likely to be excellent if the condition is diagnosed and treated quickly.
If paraphimosis is left untreated, it can disrupt blood flow to the tip of the penis. In extreme (and rare) cases, this may lead to:
- Damage to the penis tip
- Gangrene
- Loss of the penis tip
Go to your local emergency room if this occurs.
Returning the foreskin to its normal position after pulling it back may help prevent this condition.
Circumcision, when done correctly, prevents this condition.
Published Date: January 01, 2025
Published By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Boswell B, Thomas AA. Pediatric genitourinary and renal tract disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 168.
Di Carlo HN, Crigger CB. Anomalies of the penis and urethra. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 581.
Virasoro R, Jordan GH, McCammon KA. Surgery for benign disorders of the penis and urethra. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 82.