Is it possible to leave the foreskin unremoved for a long time?

Whether it is feasible to leave the foreskin unremoved for a long time depends on the specific situation. If there is no recurrent infection or dysfunction, removal is usually not necessary. If there are problems such as phimosis and recurrent inflammation, surgical intervention is recommended.

As a natural structure of the male external genitalia, the foreskin protects the glans from external stimulation. Most men's foreskin can retract normally to expose the glans. If daily cleaning is in place and there are no symptoms such as difficulty urinating or sexual intercourse pain, retaining the foreskin for a long time will not affect health. At this time, just pay attention to washing the inside of the foreskin with warm water every day to avoid accumulation of dirt. Clinical observation shows that the probability of urinary tract infection in uncircumcised patients who clean regularly is not significantly different from that in those who have undergone surgery.

When there is pathological phimosis leading to difficulty in urinating, recurrent balanitis, or scarring stenosis, long-term left untreated may induce ascending infection of the urinary system and increase the risk of penile cancer. Circumcision should be considered in such cases, and common surgical techniques include traditional suturing and stapled circumcision. People with underlying diseases such as diabetes are more likely to have lingering infections and require enhanced incision care after surgery. Physiological phimosis in some children may heal on its own with age, but if the glans cannot be exposed after puberty, the indications for surgery need to be evaluated.

You should choose breathable cotton underwear every day to avoid local moisture, and pay attention to cleanliness before and after sexual intercourse. Seek medical attention promptly when abnormal symptoms such as redness, swelling, and exudation occur, and avoid using hormone-containing ointments on your own. Coagulation function and other tests need to be completed before surgery, and compound polymyxin B ointment should be used as directed by the doctor after surgery to prevent infection.