Changes

'''{{FULLPAGENAME}}''' is the term applied to the space on the [[foreskinned]] [[penis]] between the [[prepuce]] and the [[glans penis]].<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref> The preputial sac may also be called the '''sub-preputial space''' or '''preputial cavity'''. [[Circumcised]] men do not have a preputial sac.

}}</ref> so it cannot be [[Infection| infected]]. The preputial sac will remain closed for a variable number of years. Thorvaldsen & Meyhoff (2005) conducted a survey of 4000 young men in [[Denmark]]. They reported that the mean age of first [[foreskin]] retraction is 10.4 years in [[Denmark]].<ref name="Thorvaldsen">{{REFjournal |last=Thorvaldsen |init=MA |last2=Meyhoff |init2=H |title=Patologisk eller fysiologisk fimose? |trans-title=Pathological or physiological phimosis? |language=Danish |journal=Ugeskr Læger |volume=167 |issue=17 |pages=1858-1862 |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/thorvaldsen1/ |quote= |pubmedID= |pubmedCID= |DOI= |date=2005 |accessdate=2025-03-06}}</ref> Non-retractile [[foreskin]] is the more common condition until about 10-11 years of age.===Penile health===The preputial sac is lined with [[mucosa]] as is appropriate for an internal organ where moisture is present.<ref name="cold-taylor1999">{{ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999}}</ref> [[Urine]] and other sources of moisture are not harmful to it.

The preputial sac is lined with [[mucosa]] as is appropriate for an internal organ where moisture is present.<ref name="cold-taylor1999">{{ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999}}</ref> Urine and other sources of moisture are not harmful to it. The [[glans penis]] (head of the [[penis]]) is covered and protected from friction , abrasion, [[trauma]], and abrasion [[infection]] by the [[foreskin]] while it is in the preputial sac, <ref name="fleiss1998">{{FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998}}</ref> so it does not accumulate [[keratin]], and maintains its [[Foreskin sensitivity| natural sensitivity]]. It is normal for the [[glans penis]] to be purple in color when the glans has been protected by the [[foreskin]].

Wetness A longer [[prepuce]] helps to keep out contaminants and pathogens.<ref name="fleiss1998" /> Lakshmanan & Parkash (1980) described the muscle fibers in the [[prepuce]] (known as the [[dartos]]), which contract to keep the prepuce snugly close to the [[glans penis]].<ref>{{REFjournal |last=Lakshmanan |first= |init=S |author-link= |last2=Parkash |first2= |init2=S |author2-link= |etal=no |title=Human prepuce: some aspects of structure and function |trans-title= |language= |journal=Indian J Surg |location= |date=1980 |volume=44 |issue= |article= |page= |pages=134-7 |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/lakshmanan/ |archived= |quote= |pubmedID= |pubmedCID= |DOI= |accessdate=}}</ref> The muscle fibers form a whorl at the tip to keep the tip of the [[foreskin]] and keep the preputial sac closed against the outside world and contamination with pathogens.<ref name="fleiss1998" /> Cold & Taylor (1999) described a healthy [[microbiome]] that lives within the preputial sac.<ref name="cold-taylor1999" /> They also reported that Langerhans cells are found in the mucosa of the preputial sac . [[Langerhans cells]] are part of the immunological defenses of the [[penis]].  De Witte et al. (2007) reported that Langerhans cells produce a substance named ''langerin''. The langerin offers protection against HIV infection:{{Citation |Title=Langerin is normal a natural barrier to HIV-1 transmission by Langerhans cells |Text=Langerin prevents HIV-1 transmission by LCs. HIV-1 captured by Langerin was internalized into Birbeck granules and degraded. Langerin inhibited LC infection and this mechanism kept LCs refractory to HIV-1 transmission; inhibition of Langerin allowed LC infection and subsequent HIV-1 transmission. Notably, LCs also inhibited T-cell infection by viral clearance through Langerin. Thus Langerin is a natural barrier to HIV-1 infection, and strategies to combat infection must enhance, preserve or, at the very least, not interfere with Langerin expression and associated function. |Author= |Source= |ref=<ref>{{DeWitte etal 2007}}</ref>}}Fendereski et al. (2024) compared the penile health of [[circumcised]] boys without a preputial sac to [[intact]] boys with a preputial sac during the first five years of life. The authors reported that the [[circumcised]] boys had three times as many complaints when compared with having [[intact]] boys.<ref name=fendereski2024">{{REFjournal |last=Fendereski |first= |init=K |author-link= |last2=Horns |first2= |init2=JJ |author2-link= |last3=Driggs |first3= |init3=N |author3-link= |last4=Lau |first4= |init4=G |author4-link= |last5=Shaeffer |first5= |init5=AJ |author5-link= |etal=no |title=Comparing Penile Problems in Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised Boys: Insights From a Large Commercial Claims Database With a Focus on Provider Type Performing Circumcision |trans-title= |language= |journal=J Pediatr Surg |date=2024-11 |volume=59 |issue=11 |article=161614 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002234682400407X |archived= |quote= |pubmedID=39084960 |pubmedCID=11486584 |DOI=10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.06.022 |accessdate=2025-12-03}}</ref>=== Sub-preputial moisture ===A longer [[foreskin| prepuce]]improves wetness in the preputial sac.<ref name="ofarrell2008">{{REFjournal

}}</ref> The preputial sac may also receive [[pre-ejaculate]]. The authors further reported that the wetness is rich in lytic material.<ref name="parkash1982" /> Lytic material causes lysis or a breakdown of pathogen cell walls.<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref> Moistness also may be maintained by [[transudation]].<ref name="cold-taylor1999" /> The preputial sac may also receive [[pre-ejaculate]], which may be distinguished because it is more slippery. The sac may vary from very slightly moist to wetwhen one is aroused.

Nevertheless, some men report dryness in their preputial sac and with their [[glans penis]]. Some men recommend coconut oil and others recommend [[jojoba]] oil.<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://supremepenis.com/blog/best-natural-oils-for-penis-skin-care/ |title=Best Natural Oils for Penis Skin Care: Ultimate Guide to Healthy Skin |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |author-link= |publisher=Supreme Penis |date=2025-07-14 |accessdate=2025-08-21}}</ref> to moisturize the preputial sac. A longer prepuce helps few drops, applied once or twice a day, appears to be enough to keep out contaminants the sac moisturized, lubricated, and pathogenscomfortable. Lakshmanan & Parkash (1980) described the muscle fibers in the  === Foreskin fragrance ===The [[prepuceforeskin]] (known as the produces [[dartospheromone| pheromones]]), which contract to keep the prepuce snugly close that are likely to be present in the preputial sac.<ref name="fleiss1998" /> Many [[glans penisforeskinned]]men report a pleasant musky fragrance<ref name="vocabulary2024">{{REFweb |url=https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/musky |title=Musky |last= |first= |init= |publisher=vocabulary.com |date= |accessdate=2024-04-26}}</ref> <ref>{{REFjournalREFweb |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1llu8bi/what_does_it_smell_like/ |title=What does it smell like? |last=LakshmananAnonymous

|init=S

|last2publisher=ParkashREDDIT |first2date= |init2=S |author22025-06-link=27 |etalaccessdate=no |title=Human prepuce: some aspects of structure and function |trans2025-title= |language= |journal=Indian J Surg |location= |date=1980 |volume=44 |issue= |article= |page= |pages=13406-7 |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/lakshmanan/ |archived= |quote= |pubmedID= |pubmedCID= |DOI= |accessdate=28}}</ref> The muscle fibers form a whorl at the tip to keep the tip of the from their [[foreskinpenis]] and keep the preputial sac closed against the outside world and contamination. Musk is also produced by deer to create sexual arousal.<ref name="fleiss1998vocabulary2024">{{FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998}}</ref>The fragrance, when it occurs, is emitted from the preputial sac.

Cold & Taylor (1999) described a healthy The fragrance may contain stimulating [[microbiomepheromone| pheromones]] that lives within the preputial sacand is variously characterized. A few find it offensive, but others find it attractive, pleasing, exciting, stimulating, or arousing.<ref name="cold-taylor1999vocabulary2024" /> They also reported that Langerhans cells are found in the mucosa of the preputial sac<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://www. [[Langerhans cells]] are part of the immunological defenses of the [[penis]]reddit. com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1juhht2/scent/ |title=Scent |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |author-link= |publisher=REDDIT |date= |accessdate=2025-04-09}}</ref>

De Witte et al. (2007) reported Some believe that Langerhans cells produce a substance named ''langerin''. The langerin offers protection against HIV infection:{{Citation |Title=Langerin is a the use of soap in the preputial sac harms the natural barrier to HIV-1 transmission by Langerhans cells |Text=Langerin prevents HIV-1 transmission by LCs. HIV-1 captured by Langerin was internalized into Birbeck granules [[microbiome]] and degraded. Langerin inhibited LC infection and this mechanism kept LCs refractory to HIV-1 transmission; inhibition increases the strength of Langerin allowed LC infection and subsequent HIV-1 transmissionthe fragrance. Notably, LCs also inhibited T-cell infection The musky foreskin fragrance may be contained by viral clearance through Langerin. Thus Langerin is a natural barrier to HIV-1 infection, and strategies to combat infection must enhance, preserve or, at avoiding retraction of the very least, not interfere with Langerin expression and function[[foreskin]]. |Author= |Source= |ref=<ref>{{DeWitte etal 2007}}</ref>}}

The [[foreskin]] produces [[pheromone| pheromones]] that are likely to be present in the preputial sacSeveral manufacturers offer musk-scented cologne for men.<ref name="fleiss1998" />

Birley et al. (1993) studied 43 men with recurrent or persistent [[balanitis]] at an outpatient genitourinary disease clinic in London, [[United Kingdom| UK]] where most men are [[intact]]. Of the study group only 33 percent were [[circumcised]]. Birley and colleagues discovered that the men in that group washed frequently with soap.  The men were instructed to wash less frequently, to stop using soap, and to treat with emollients. The soap and shower gel apparently removed the natural skin oil, which appears to be essential for health of the [[mucosa]] of the preputial sac.<ref name="birley1993">{{REFjournal

One frequently hears the advice to wash the preputial sac at least daily to prevent [[infection]]. This advice is outmodeddoes not reflect the [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin| immunological functions]] of the [[foreskin]] and the need to maintain skin oil to avoid [[balanitis]].<ref name="birley1993" /> <ref name="fleiss1998" /> It is not consistent with medical science, and is outmoded and inaccurate. Washing may introduce pathogens into the preputial cavity.<ref name="fleiss1998" /> It also removes the skin oil and protective lytic substances described above. It is better to rinse only as necessary, using only clear warm waterwithout soap, body wash, or shampoo.<ref>{{REFbook

}}</ref>One or twice a week is sufficient.<ref name="damon2010">{{REFweb |title=Intact Care of Elderly Men in Nursing HomesIf the [[foreskin]] is non |url=http://www.drmomma.org/2010/05/intact-care-of-elderly-men-retractable, then a rubberin-bulb ear syringe may be used to squirt warm water into the [[foreskin]] to flush it out for an occasional washing. Washing is recommended before and after sex and as desired to remove accumulated [[smegma]]nursing.html |archived= |trans-title= |language= |last=Damon |first= |init= UrinationKL |author-link= |publisher=Peaceful Parenting[[Intact]] men sometimes ask, "do I have to retract my [[foreskin]] when I pee?" They may have been heard myths that it is unhealthy to have [[urine]] inside the [[foreskin]], however there is no factual basis for that claim |website=www. Urine is normally sterile when it leaves the urethra and is helpful for flushing out the [[foreskin]] and keeping it clean. Boys by necessity pee through their [[foreskin]] because it does not retract and men with [[phimosis]] also pee through their foreskin because the foreskin does not retract. It does no harm so it is not necessary to pull back when you peedrmomma.org |date=2010 |accessdate=2023-12-12 |format=Everything in the preputial sac |quote=It is covered with [[Mucosa| mucosal membrane]] true that nursing programs (similar to the inside of your mouthand medical school programs), which likes to be wet, so no damage or threat to health is caused by having urine inside in the [[foreskinUnited States]]. The sphincter action of the preputial orifice functions as have a one long way valve, blocking the entry of contaminants and pathogens while allowing the passage of urine.<ref name="fleiss1998" /> The urine will help to flush contaminants and pathogens out of the go in teaching proper [[foreskinintact]]. Some individuals may experience [[ballooning of the foreskin]], which is harmlesscare and development. The [[foreskin]] overhang or [[acroposthion]] may be used as a hose nozzle to control and direct the stream. }}</ref> It may help also is customary to stretch one's [[foreskin]] out from one's body. One man said, "When I need to pee, I open my fly, pull my foreskin out wash before and give it a tug to get any wrinkles out, then I hold my foreskin with the thumb and forefinger of both hands and use the overhang of my foreskin to direct my streamafter sex. When I finish, I milk it a bit to get any residual pee out of my [[urethra]]."

Men report feeling If the [[foreskin]] is non-retractable, then a slight tickling sensation as [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rubber%20bulb%20ear%20syringe rubber-bulb ear syringe] may be used to squirt warm water into the urine flows [[foreskin]] to flush it out through their acroposthionfor an occasional washing. Washing is recommended before and after sex and as needed to remove accumulated [[smegma]].

One may pull back or <b>Soap, body wash, and shampoo should not pull back when urinating. Either way is okaybe used inside the preputial sac, because they remove the beneficial skin oil.</b>

===Video=Urination by foreskinned men==A NSFW video of a [[foreskinned]] man urinating through his [[acroposthion]].

https://wwwThe text of this section has been relocated to its own article.redditPlease see [[Urination by foreskinned men]].com/r/4skinoverhang/comments/15xxkyc/overhang_soft_pee/

* {{REFweb

|accessdate=20232025-03-03}}* {{REFweb |url=https://intactamerica.org/intact-penis-care/ |title=Intact Penis Care: Embracing Natural Well-being |last=Garrett |first=Connor |init= |authorlink=Connor Justin Garrett |publisher=Intact America |date=2024-03-09 |accessdate=2024-05-10}}* {{REFweb |url=https://www.reddit.com/user/C4Charkey/comments/1jumg8s/the_accidental_intactivist_manifesto_iii_the/ |title=Section III. The Hygienic Hoax: Soap, Water, and the Ghosts of Victorian Anxiety |last=C4Charkey |first= |init= |author-link=C4Charkey |publisher=REDDIT |date=2025-04-08 |accessdate=2025-04-12}}* {{REFweb |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1o8su5n/comment/njy0dyz/ |title=Mom of intact son here (: |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |author-link= |publisher=REDDIT |date=2025-10-17 |accessdate=2025-10-3117

[[Category:Medical termPhysiology]] [[de:Präputialsack]]