Contents
Phimosis is a narrowing of the foreskin that makes it difficult or impossible to fully expose the glans penis. Phimosis affects men at any age. But if up to 5 years phimosis is considered a variant of the norm, and does not require treatment, then in adulthood one cannot do without the intervention of a doctor. The average age of men who turn to a urologist with such a problem is about 26 years.1.
With phimosis, pain may appear, which increases with erection, which entails a decrease in libido and a deterioration in sexual life. With a pronounced narrowing of the foreskin, urination is difficult, up to its delay2.
Phimosis is often accompanied by balanoposthitis (inflammation of the foreskin) – hence the discomfort, itching, redness of the foreskin and glans penis3.
Frequent recurrences of balanoposthitis can lead to cicatricial phimosis, which is treated only surgically.
That is why phimosis should not be ignored in the initial stages, when treatment with local glucocorticoids is still possible. We will talk about the best creams and ointments for the treatment of phimosis in men in our article.
Rating of the top 10 ointments for the treatment of phimosis in men according to KP
It is important to remember that the use of the ointment in itself will not relieve you of phimosis, but will help relieve pain, itching and swelling if balanoposthitis has joined – a complication associated with inflammation of the foreskin and glans penis.
1. Betamethasone
Ointment of domestic production, which has a wide spectrum of action. It is used not only to treat phimosis in men, but also in cases of dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and, for example, insect bites.
As part of the drug, the active substance of the same name, which has an anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive effect.
The instructions indicate that the drug can be used to treat children from 1 year. At the same time, there is a rather impressive list of contraindications – you should definitely pay attention to them.
2. Acriderm
Hormonal ointment with the active ingredient betamethasone helps with a number of skin diseases that are amenable to glucocorticosteroid therapy. Among them are phimosis at the initial stage of development (although this is not indicated in the instructions).
Ointment can be used to treat children older than 1 year. But in any case, you must first consult with your doctor.
3. Cloveit
Ointment for the treatment of phimosis in men, which is also used in the treatment of various skin diseases: psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus. The active substance clobetasol is a glucocorticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive, antipruritic and decongestant effects. The drug is often prescribed if other, weaker glucocorticosteroids have been ineffective.
Clovate can be used in children older than 1 year, but the instructions say that the treatment should be under medical supervision and, if possible, last no more than 5 days.
4. Dermoveite
Another Polish drug based on clobetasol. It is used in the treatment of phimosis and skin diseases resistant to less active glucocorticosteroids. Helps reduce inflammation, itching and swelling, prevents the formation of scar tissue in phimosis. Like Cloveit, it is intended for short-term treatment – no more than 4 weeks. In children, the duration of the therapeutic course is even shorter – if possible, no more than 5 days.
5. Betaderm
Ointment for the treatment of phimosis in men, which includes the glucocorticosteroid betamethasone and the antibiotic gentamicin. The drug is prescribed if phimosis is accompanied by an infectious and inflammatory process in the foreskin and glans penis. The ointment is applied to the damaged area of the skin 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
6. Beloderm
The ointment is based on the glucocorticosteroid betamethasone, which is most often used to treat phimosis in adults. The tool acts in the focus of inflammation, reducing swelling, itching and pain.
The manufacturer produces Beloderm in the form of ointment and cream, as well as in tubes of different volumes – from 15 to 40 mg.
7. Hydrocortisone
Russian drug, the name of which indicates its active substance. Hydrocortisone is a synthetic glucocorticosteroid hormone with anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects. Hydrocortisone ointment is prescribed to patients with dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and is also used to treat phimosis.
First, the ointment is applied 1-3 times a day, and with positive dynamics, you can reduce the use to 2-3 times a week. Like other corticosteroid drugs, hydrocortisone has quite a few contraindications and side effects.
8. Hyoxysone
The composition of the ointment contains the glucocorticosteroid hydrocortisone, as well as the antibiotic oxytetracycline, which inhibits the growth and reproduction of a wide range of bacteria. The ointment helps to reduce itching, swelling and inflammation, increase skin elasticity at the site of application. It is used to treat phimosis complicated by a bacterial infection.
The ointment of a Russian manufacturer is cheaper than many foreign analogues. But when buying, keep in mind that the ointment is available in a miniature tube – you may need several packages.
9. Clobetasol Propionate
Cream with the active ingredient clobetasol, which belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids. This drug is more often used to treat psoriasis, but it can also be prescribed for phimosis, since it has an anti-inflammatory effect, helps relieve itching and burning.
10. Belogent
Another ointment, where the hormonal substance betamethasone is “supported” by the antibiotic gentamicin. This remedy quickly relieves inflammation and eliminates discomfort in skin diseases and phimosis with a complication in the form of a bacterial infection. You should not prescribe the drug yourself – consult a urologist.
How to choose ointments for the treatment of phimosis in men
– Ointment, like any other treatment for phimosis, is always prescribed by a urologist. First you need to understand whether this is really phimosis, whether there are complicating moments, whether there are cicatricial changes in the tissues of the foreskin. The most important thing is to exclude the possibility of malignant neoplasms of the head of the penis and foreskin, notes Victoria Shaderkina, urologist, scientific editor Uroweb.ru. – Of course, it is better to use original drugs: it doesn’t matter if they are domestic or foreign. The fact is that all original drugs undergo clinical trials, during which their effectiveness and, most importantly, safety are evaluated.
In different ointments – a different composition, only a urologist can recommend exactly the drug that is suitable in each case. Not necessarily it will be some foreign expensive brand. Many domestic drugs perfectly cope with the inflammatory process that accompanies phimosis.
As for the choice of drugs, remember that pharmacists in pharmacies do not always have all the information about diseases, especially those related to the intimate sphere. Therefore, it is better to trust the urologist.
Popular questions and answers
Phimosis is a delicate problem, not everyone dares even ask a friend for advice. Therefore, we asked the most frequently asked questions to our expert. The urologist Viktoria Shaderkina answers.
In what cases can ointments help with phimosis in men?
What should you pay attention to in the composition of the ointment for the treatment of phimosis?
Properly selected according to the age of the patient and the severity of phimosis, the drug, the correct application of the ointment and the regularity of treatment is the key to success.
Is it possible to cure phimosis with folk remedies?
Sources:
- I.A. Fattakhov, M.A. Sharafutdinov. Some aspects of the appealability of men with urological pathology to the clinic // Bulletin of the National Research Institute of Public Health. 2013. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/nekotorye-aspekty-obraschaemosti-muzhchin-s-urologicheskoy-patologiey-v-polikliniku/viewer
- S.Kh. Al-Shukri, S.Yu. Borovets, E.T. Goloshchapov, A.G. Gorbachev, V.Ya. Belousov, A.G. Boriskin, M.A. Rybalov. Clinical recommendations for the provision of emergency medical care for trauma to the male genital organs, a foreign body of the urethra and bladder, phimosis and paraphimosis. Urologicheskie Vedomosti. 2013. Volume 3. No. 4. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/klinicheskie-rekomendatsii-po-okazaniyu-skoroy-meditsinskoy-pomoschi-pri-travme-muzhskih-mochepolovyh-organov-inorodnom-tele-uretry-i/viewer)
- S.Kh. Al-Shukri, I.A. Korneev, TG. Giorgobiani, M.N. Ageev, D.B. Batmaev. Cancer of the penis // Urological journals. 2013. Volume 3. No. 1. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/rak-polovogo-chlena/viewer
- E.S. Nevirovich, I.A. Ananias. Cancer of the penis // Urological journals. 2014. Volume 4. No. 1. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/rak-polovogo-chlena-1/viewer