Condition
Tight foreskin
The foreskin is tight and does not pull back over the head of the penis, it tears, stings or hurts during sex. Why this happens and what is done about it.
Why does the foreskin tear or not pull back?
There are three common causes, and they often come together.
A narrowed foreskin opening (phimosis). The foreskin pulls back over the head of the penis with difficulty or not at all. In adult men phimosis most often develops gradually: tiny tears heal with scar tissue, the scar stretches less than skin does, so the next time the foreskin tears more easily. That is why the tearing repeats and gets worse over time.
A short frenulum. The frenulum is the fold of skin that joins the foreskin to the head of the penis. When it is too short, it is pulled tight during an erection, hurts and can tear.
Inflammation of the head of the penis and foreskin. Redness, stinging, itching or deposits under the foreskin. Inflammation is treated with medicines, and when it keeps coming back, it leaves scars that narrow the foreskin.
In adulthood, diabetes often lies behind a thickened, tearing foreskin, so at the examination we also ask about your blood sugar.
What helps until the examination, and what does not?
For a slightly tight foreskin and a slightly shortened frenulum, gradual, gentle stretching with a lubricant over several weeks helps.
Forcing the foreskin back does not help. It creates new tears, and every tear heals with scar tissue.
If the foreskin has become stuck behind the head of the penis, cannot be brought back and the head is swelling, this cannot wait for an appointment. Get in touch straight away, and outside opening hours go to the emergency department.
What does the examination involve?
The examination is led by a urology specialist. It is short: a conversation about how long the problem has lasted and when it appears, then an examination of the foreskin, frenulum and the head of the penis. At the examination you hear whether a cream and monitoring are enough or whether surgery is the solution, and which kind.
A urological examination costs €80. You book directly, without a referral, and you do not have to give a reason when booking.
Arrange an examination. Nurse Martina will gladly answer your questions and concerns and arrange an appointment. Opening hours are Monday–Friday 8:00–20:00, other times and weekends by arrangement.
What can be done?
| Problem | Procedure | Also, in the same visit |
|---|---|---|
| The foreskin does not pull back over the head of the penis, it tears or the inflammation keeps returning | Circumcision | When the frenulum is also short, it is lengthened in the same procedure. |
| The frenulum is tight, hurts during an erection or has already torn | Frenuloplasty | When the foreskin is narrowed as well as the frenulum, frenuloplasty is done together with circumcision, under one anaesthetic and with one recovery. |
Frenuloplasty is done under local anaesthesia, takes 15 to 30 minutes and costs €300. Circumcision takes 30 to 45 minutes; under local anaesthesia it costs €700, and under general anaesthesia €1,000. When they are done in the same procedure, they cost €900–1,000.
After both procedures you go home the same day. Most men return to work in a few days, and sex is possible on average after three to six weeks, depending on the procedure. The exact course is decided at the examination.
When a short frenulum is part of a wider phimosis, frenuloplasty alone does not solve the problem, so circumcision is discussed then.
Specialist and team
Specialty: urology — examinations, diagnostics and procedures.
When the procedure is done under sedation or general anaesthesia, the anaesthesia is led by a specialist in anaesthesiology, resuscitation and intensive care who works full time at the clinic.
In the operating theatre, the surgeon is assisted by head nurse Martina Šereg, with the help of nurses Kristina Jurešić and Mateja Tomorad, and in recovery the care assistant Mirjana Kovačić is with you. Martina also looks after preparation, scheduling and contact after the procedure.
Who will operate is decided at the examination, based on the findings and the type of procedure. You know the name of the surgeon before the procedure and meet them at the examination.
→ Doctors and team at Poliklinika Barbel
Frequently asked questions
Does a tight foreskin always have to be operated on? Not always. Mild phimosis without problems can be monitored or treated with a corticosteroid cream. Surgery is done when the foreskin tears, when the inflammation keeps coming back, when it interferes with urinating or sex, and always after the foreskin has once become stuck behind the head of the penis.
My frenulum tore during sex. What now? A tear bleeds and hurts, and the bleeding generally stops after a few minutes of pressure with clean gauze. The scar after a tear is often hard, so the problem repeats. That is why a planned procedure is better than waiting for the next tear.
Is circumcision done without a medical reason too? Yes. Circumcision is also done at personal request, without a medical reason. The procedure and recovery are the same, and the reasons and expectations are discussed at the examination. Circumcision under local anaesthesia costs €700, and under general anaesthesia €1,000.
Does sensation change after circumcision? A head of the penis that has always been covered is more sensitive to touch and clothing in the first weeks. The sensitivity decreases over time and settles. In most men there is no lasting change in sexual sensation.
Is it the same for boys? No. In boys a tight foreskin is common up to school age, it most often widens by itself and is not operated on without a reason. Urological examinations and procedures at Poliklinika Barbel are done only for adults, so this page applies to adult men.
Will anyone know why I am coming? You book a urological examination, without giving a reason. You tell the doctor the reason in the consulting room.
Medical review: doctors of Poliklinika Barbel · October 2026.