Painful Foreskin Retraction: Causes & When to See a Doctor

It is not usually painful to move the foreskin of the penis. If yours hurts, this typically indicates a problem of some kind. Possible causes may include:

- Balanitis. Inflammation of the glans of the penis

- Phimosis. Difficulty retracting the foreskin to reveal the glans

- Paraphimosis. An attempt to pull back the foreskin was overextended; now, the foreskin cannot return to its usual position. This is a medical emergency that might cause penile strangulation if not reversed

- Trauma