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  |DOI=10.1111/j.1445-2197.1989.tb07640.x  
  |DOI=10.1111/j.1445-2197.1989.tb07640.x  
  |accessdate=2022-09-20
  |accessdate=2022-09-20
}}</ref> Zampieri et al. (2005) reported success with stretching with betamethosone topical cream in boys.<ref name="zampieri2005">{{REFjournal
|last=Zampieri
|first=
|init=N
|author-link=
|last2=Corroppolo
|first2=
|init2=M
|author2-link=
|last3=Comoglio
|first3=
|init3=FS
|author3-link=
|last4=Giacomello
|first4=
|init4=L
|author4-link=
|last5=Ottolenghi
|first5=
|init5=A
|author5-link=
|etal=no
|title=Phimosis: Stretching Methods with or without Application of Topical Steroids?
|trans-title=
|journal=J Pediat
|date=2005-11
|volume=147
|issue=5
|pages=705-6
|url=https://www.cirp.org/library/treatment/phimosis/zampieri1/
|archived=
|quote=
|pubmedID=16291369
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.07.017
|accessdate=2025-10-24
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Foreskin stretchers should take care to avoid [[paraphimosis]].
Foreskin stretchers should take care to avoid [[paraphimosis]].
The foreskin may also be stretched longitudinally to permanently lengthen it.
=== A word to intact teens ===
Boys are born with a [[foreskin]] that is non-retractable for reasons of [[Immunological_and_protective_function_of_the_foreskin#The_protective_and_hygienic_function_of_the_foreskin| protection]]. The inner surface is fused with the [[glans penis]] by a [[synechia]] (similar to a fingernail that is glued to the nail bed of the finger). Also the tip of the foreskin is too narrow to retract. As a boy gets older, in preparation for adult life, the [[synechia]] disintegrates and releases the [[foreskin]] and the foreskin gets wider, so the foreskin gradually becomes [[Retraction of the foreskin| retractable]]. A survey carried out in [[Denmark]], where almost every boy has a foreskin, found that the mean age of first foreskin retraction is 10.4 years.<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=2023-12-09
}}</ref> This means that 1/2 of boys become retractable earlier and 1/2 of boys become retractable later. a few [[intact]] boys go through [[puberty]] but find that their [[foreskin]] is still too narrow to permit retraction.
Beaugé (1997) reported that boys, who [[masturbation| masturbate]] by pulling their [[foreskin]] away from the body, will not stretch the tight part of the foreskin so non-retractile foreskin will persist. He advised changing the method of [[masturbation]] to the more conventional method of pulling the foreskin toward the body so that the narrow orifice gets stretched.<ref name="beauge1997">{{REFjournal
|last=Beaugé
|init=Michel
|author-link=
|last2=
|init2=
|author2-link=
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/treatment/phimosis/beauge2/
|title=The causes of adolescent phimosis
|journal=Br J Sex Med
|date=1997
|volume=
|issue=September/October
|pages=26
|accessdate=2021-04-21
}}</ref>
The traditional way of addressing this issue was to consult a [[Issues_with_American_urologists_and_the_practice_of_male_circumcision#Issues_with_care_of_adult_intact_males| urologist]] and get a [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]], however we now understand that in the vast majority of cases, manual [[stretching]] over a few months will widen the narrow [[foreskin]] by [[tissue expansion]], make the foreskin retractable and eliminate the need for a destructive and harmful [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]].
One should continue to stretch until one gets satisfactory [[gliding action]].<ref>{{REFweb
|title=Managing a Tight Foreskin
|url=https://www.wikihow.com/Pull-Your-Foreskin-Back-Without-Pain#Managing-a-Tight-Foreskin
|archived=
|trans-title=
|language=
|last=
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=WikiHow
|website=
|date=
|accessdate=2025-09-25
|format=
|quote=
}}</ref>
====Retracting one's foreskin====
The [[foreskin]] is a double layer of skin. It is lubricated by body fluid called [[lymph]] between the two layers. The outer layer is designed to glide smoothly back over the inner layer. One should be able to retract it without pain.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://www.wikihow.com/Pull-Your-Foreskin-Back-Without-Pain#References
|title=How to Pull Your Foreskin Back Without Pain
|last=
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=WikiHow
|date=
|accessdate=2025-09-26
}}</ref> Sometimes, especially when one is young, the tip may be too tight to retract over the [[Glans penis| head of the penis]].


== Methods ==
== Methods ==
Human [[skin]] can be stretched and normally returns to its normal size and position. But when stretching is done over a longer period of time, chances are that this stretching causes new [[skin]] cells to grow and [[tissue expansion]] to occur. We all know this from the [[skin]] which covers e.g. the human stomach or the breast area.
Human [[skin]] can be stretched and normally returns to its normal size and position. But when stretching is done over a longer period of time, chances are that this stretching causes new [[skin]] cells to grow ([[mitosis]]) and [[tissue expansion]] to occur. We all know this from the [[skin]] which covers e.g. the human stomach or the breast area.
 
=== Topical steroid cream for stretching ===
Basically, all curative or constructive stretching of human [[skin]] should be accompanied by applying a steroid cream to the [[skin]]. The steroid thins the skin and makes stretching easier. It does not work without stretching.  Betamethasone valerate<ref>{{REFweb
Basically, all curative or constructive stretching of human [[skin]] should be accompanied by applying a steroid cream to the [[skin]]. The steroid thins the skin and makes stretching easier. Topical steroid treatment is also useful to hasten foreskin retraction in boys with nonretractile foreskins. A number of steroid preparations have been used, including [https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4897-722/betamethasone-valerate-topical/betamethasone-valerate-topical/details Betamethasone Valerate] 0.05% to 0.1%, triamcinolone 0.1% and mometasone furoate 0.1%.<ref name="cps2015">{{REFjournal
|last=Sorokin
|first=S. Todd
|init=ST
|author-link=
|last2=Finlay
|first2=JC
|author2-link=
|last3=Jeffries
|first3=AL
|author3-link=
|etal=yes
|title=Newborn male circumcision
|journal=Paediatr Child Health
|location=
|date=2015-08
|volume=20
|issue=6
|pages=311-20
|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4578472/
|quote=
|pubmedID=26435672
|pubmedCID=4578472
|DOI=10.1093/pch/20.6.311
|accessdate=2023-06-15
}}</ref> It does not work without stretching.  Betamethasone valerate<ref>{{REFweb
  |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betamethasone
  |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betamethasone
  |title=Betamethasone
  |title=Betamethasone
  |website=Wikipedia
  |website=Wikipedia
  |accessdate=2020-12-21
  |accessdate=2020-12-21
}}</ref> is the most commonly recommended active ingredient. A cream with 0.05% betamethasone appears effective in treating phimosis in boys,<ref>{{REFjournal
}}</ref> is the most commonly recommended active ingredient. A cream with 0.05% betamethasone appears effective in treating [[phimosis]] in boys,<ref>{{REFjournal
  |last=Moreno
  |last=Moreno
  |init=G
  |init=G
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  |DOI10.1002/14651858.CD008973.pub2
  |DOI10.1002/14651858.CD008973.pub2
  |pubmedID=25180668
  |pubmedID=25180668
}}</ref> and often averts the need for circumcision.<ref>{{REFjournal
}}</ref> and often averts the need for [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]].<ref>{{REFjournal
  |last=Van Howe
  |last=Van Howe
  |init=RS
  |init=RS
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Manual stretching should continue until the [[foreskin]] will [[Gliding action| glide smoothly]] back and forth while the [[penis]] is erect.
Manual stretching should continue until the [[foreskin]] will [[Gliding action| glide smoothly]] back and forth while the [[penis]] is erect.


====A word to intact teens====
<b>Warning: There are reports of physicians who prescribe topical steroid cream to treat a tight or non-retractable foreskin, but fail to advise their patient that manual stretching is required.</b>
 
Boys are born with a [[foreskin]] that is non-retractable for reasons of [[Immunological_and_protective_function_of_the_foreskin#The_protective_and_hygienic_function_of_the_foreskin| protection]]. The inner surface is fused with the [[glans penis]] by a [[synechia]] (similar to a fingernail that is glued to the nail bed of the finger). Also the tip of the foreskin is too narrow to retract. As a boy gets older, the synechia disintegrates and releases the foreskin and the foreskin gets wider as a boy ages, so the foreskin gradually becomes [[Retraction of the foreskin| retractable]]. Some boys go through puberty but find that their [[foreskin]] is still too narrow to permit retraction.
 
Beaugé (1997) reported that boys, who [[masturbation| masturbate]] by pulling their [[foreskin]] away from the body, will not stretch the tight part of the foreskin so non-retractile foreskin will persist. He advised changing the method of [[masturbation]] to the more conventional method of pulling the foreskin toward the body so that the narrow orifice gets stretched.<ref name="beauge1997">{{REFjournal
|last=Beaugé
|init=Michel
|author-link=
|last2=
|init2=
|author2-link=
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/treatment/phimosis/beauge2/
|title=The causes of adolescent phimosis
|journal=Br J Sex Med
|date=1997
|volume=
|issue=September/October
|pages=26
|accessdate=2021-04-21
}}</ref>  
 
The traditional way of addressing this issue was to consult a urologist and get a [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]], however we now understand that in the vast majority of cases, manual stretching over a few months will widen the foreskin by [[tissue expansion]], make the foreskin retractable and eliminate the need for a destructive [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]].
 
One should continue to stretch until one gets satisfactory [[gliding action]].
 
=== Fingers ===
=== Fingers ===
Where the [[phimosis]] is very mild it may be possible to stretch the [[foreskin]] by pulling it back tightly against the head of the erect penis. One should pull the [[foreskin]] back until one feels tension in the foreskin and hold that for perhaps five minutes. Do that twice a day. <u>'''Do not force retraction and do not cause yourself pain'''</u>.
It is possible to stretch the [[foreskin]] by pulling it back tightly against the [[glans]] of the erect [[penis]]. One should pull the [[foreskin]] back until one feels non-painful tension in the tight part of the foreskin and hold that for perhaps five minutes. Do that two or more times a day. <u>'''Do not force retraction and do not cause yourself pain'''</u>. One should gradually see the narrow tip widen and become more retractable.


Or the fingers can be inserted into the opening and used to stretch the foreskin. If the foreskin is only slightly tight, a minor case of phimosis, then the stretching can be accomplished using fingers inserted into the opening in the foreskin and applying outward pressure.<ref name="glansie">{{REFweb
Or the fingers can be inserted into the opening and used to stretch the foreskin. If the foreskin is only slightly tight, a minor case of phimosis, then the stretching can be accomplished using fingers inserted into the opening in the foreskin and applying outward pressure.<ref name="glansie">{{REFweb
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}}</ref>
}}</ref>
* [... more to be added ...]
* [... more to be added ...]
==Video==
==Video==
<br>
<br>
* <youtube>v=LoyZ_ur1IqI</youtube>
===Tips for a tight foreskin===
<youtube>v=LoyZ_ur1IqI</youtube>
<br>
===Essential guide to foreskin stretching===
<youtube>v=8K7qPuxROBo</youtube>
===4 common treatments for phimosis===
<youtube>v=NPwFMSZjiII</youtube>


{{SEEALSO}}
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[Acroposthion]]
* [[Acroposthion]]
* [[Development of retractable foreskin]]
* [[Frenulum breve]]
* [[Frenulum breve]]
* [[Gliding action]]
* [[Gliding action]]
* [[Issues with American urologists and the practice of male circumcision]]
* [[American urologists and the practice of male circumcision]]
* [[Mitosis]]
* [[Mitosis]]
* [[Paraphimosis]]
* [[Paraphimosis]]
* [[Physiological phimosis]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
* [[Retraction of the foreskin]]
* [[Preputioplasty]]
* [[Tissue expansion]]
* [[Tissue expansion]]


{{LINKS}}
{{LINKS}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512060858/http://www.foreskin.org:80/phi-once.htm
|title=From Tight Phimosis to Full Retraction: One Man's Stretching Experience
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=Archive
|date=1998
|accessdate=2025-06-17
}}
* {{REFweb
* {{REFweb
  |url=http://phimosisjourney.com/
  |url=http://phimosisjourney.com/
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  |accessdate=2020-12-23
  |accessdate=2020-12-23
}}
}}
* {{REFweb
* {{REFweb
  |url=https://www.wikihow.fitness/Do-Phimosis-Stretching?amp=1
  |url=https://www.wikihow.fitness/Do-Phimosis-Stretching?amp=1
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  |quote=
  |quote=
}}
}}
* {{REFweb
* {{REFweb
  |url=https://foreskinstretching.com/
  |url=https://foreskinstretching.com/
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  |accessdate=2021-04-18
  |accessdate=2021-04-18
}}
}}
* {{REFweb
* {{REFweb
  |title=Phimosis Stretching: Helpful illustrated guide (with examples)
  |title=Phimosis Stretching: Helpful illustrated guide (with examples)
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  |quote=The goal of phimosis stretching is to get to a stage where you can move your foreskin, back and forth, freely over the glans while the penis is erect.
  |quote=The goal of phimosis stretching is to get to a stage where you can move your foreskin, back and forth, freely over the glans while the penis is erect.
}}
}}
 
* {{REFweb
|url=https://www.foreskin.org/stretching-foreskin-without-surgery/
|title=How to Stretch Your Foreskin Without Surgery – Treat Phimosis
|last=Rangel
|first=Frank
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=
|date=2023-07-17
|accessdate=2024-12-11
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uncircumcised_talk/comments/1kzd5x4/comment/mv5h46j/
|title=how come my foreskin is so tight when I pull it over the head of my dick and kind of hurts it didn't use to
|last=Anonymous
|publisher=REDDIT
|date=2025-05
|accessdate=2025-10-13
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://www.wikihow.com/Pull-Your-Foreskin-Back-Without-Pain#Managing-a-Tight-Foreskin
|title=Managing a Tight Foreskin
|last=Tobis, MD
|first=Scott
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=WikiHow
|date=2025-07-26
|accessdate=2025-11-14
}}
{{REF}}
{{REF}}


[[Category:Foreskin anatomy]]
[[Category:Foreskin anatomy]]
[[Category:Genital]]
[[Category:Penile function]]
[[Category:Physiology]]
[[Category:Teen]]
[[de:Dehnen]]
Retrieved from "https://en.intactiwiki.org/wiki/Stretching"