Foreskin fears
Question
I had sex with my girlfriend the other day and something a bit odd happened with my foreskin. It went completely over the head of my penis whilst we were having sex and now I have a big blister on my penis. It's really sensitive, is there anything I can do sort it out?
Answer
It's not clear whether you're still having trouble getting your foreskin back from over the head of your penis. If this is the case you could try to ease it back gently and slowly. Try doing this in the bath, and use soap. This may gradually stretch the foreskin until it can pass back over the rim of the head. If this is painful or your foreskin does not return to normal, you should seek medical attention.
It's hard to tell from what you've said but it sounds like there could be a risk of infection so it would be a good idea to get yourself checked out.
It is not uncommon to have harmless spots/lumps on the genitals, but there are many different types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and they can be spread in different ways, not just through penetrative sex. There are also some infections that are not necessarily sexually transmitted at all. You can find out about some different sorts of infections on the NHS direct website.
It's common to feel nervous at the thought of being tested for an infection, but it is important to remember most infections are easily treatable. Delaying treatment could mean an infection gets worse and other problems could occur.
If you are worried that you may have an infection, you can get advice and testing at a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic. Gum clinics are located attached to, or within, local hospitals, and are usually separate, discreet departments. GUM consultations are free and confidential, which means no one will be told about your visit, unless you want them to be.
To reduce the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection in the future, always use a condom during sex. Dental dams (small squares of latex) can also be used as a barrier during sex involving contact between the mouth and the vagina, or the mouth and the anus.
Updated: 07/06/2011
Question answered by YouthNet in association with Brook
