Inability to retract the foreskin is called?

• A. Phimosis
• B. Paraphimosis
• C. Balanitis
• D. Balano posthitis

Answer: (A)

Inability to retract the foreskin over the glans is called phimosis. This can be a normal, physiologic finding in newborns that often improves with age, but in adults it may reflect scarring or inflammatory changes that restrict foreskin mobility. Management ranges from observation in mild cases to topical steroids to loosen the phimotic opening, with surgical options like circumcision or a less invasive preputioplasty for persistent or troublesome cases. It’s important to distinguish this from paraphimosis, where the foreskin can be retracted but becomes stuck behind the glans, risking venous congestion and requiring urgent treatment. Balanitis refers to inflammation of the glans, and balano posthitis involves inflammation of both the glans and foreskin; neither term describes an inability to retract the foreskin.