Penis & Testicle Concerns / Question
Published: February 23, 2004
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am 18 and male, and as stupid as this sounds, I wasn't even aware that you were meant to be able to retract the foreskin until only a year ago. I can do this fine when flaccid to wash myself properly, but when I have an erection, while an erection itself is not painful in the slightest, it is painful for me to pull back the foreskin. How normal is this? Is there anything I can do to prevent it being painful, and does the foreskin have to be retracted during sexual intercourse or doesn't it matter? please help me, thanks.
Signed: Does Foreskin Have To Be Pulled Back During Intercourse?
Dear Does Foreskin Have To Be Pulled Back During Intercourse?,
Your question is not stupid at all - do a search on this site for the word "foreskin" and you will find that lots of people have similar ones.
When an uncircumcised male has an erection, the foreskin can roll back to allow the penis to lengthen. Some foreskins are long enough to cover the head of the penis when it is erect; other foreskins are not, so the head of the penis is exposed during an erection. The foreskin usually retracts during intercourse.
TeenHealthFX recommends that you see a doctor about if you still have concerns about your foreskin. While it may seem embarrassing, doctors deal with issues like this all the time. If you do not have a doctor and you live in Northern New Jersey, please call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.6475. If you live elsewhere, get in touch with your local adolescent health center or clinic, or Planned Parenthood.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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