Thanks for your question. There are lots of things that can make a penis hurt, including irritation. Read on to learn more about the causes of penis pain when you are uncircumcised (i.e. have foreskin).

How Far Should My Foreskin Go Back?

If you have foreskin it is important to make sure you can gently retract (or pull back) your foreskin so that you can see the glans (or head) of the penis completely. If you cannot pull back your foreskin past the glans of the penis, this is called phimosis.

What If It Hurts to Pull Back My Foreskin?

If it hurts to pull back your foreskin, first stop pulling it back. Pulling it back can cause more irritation, which can cause more pain. Pain can be a sign of:

• Infection
• Inflammation
• Irritation
• Scarring

If you are having pain we recommend seeing a healthcare provider so that you can get the right treatment.

Cleaning Tips for an Uncircumcised Penis

1. Gently pull back the foreskin.
2. Clean beneath the foreskin with a mild soap and warm water.
3. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
4. Pull the foreskin back over the tip of your penis.

What’s the Thick White Stuff Under My Foreskin?

If you notice thick, white stuff under your foreskin this is most likely either:

1. Smegma – a thick, normal secretion from the body.
2. Candida – a yeast infection.

Whether it’s smegma or candida you should make sure to follow the cleaning tips mentioned above.

If it’s smegma that’s been stuck it may take a few days to gently remove all of it and for any irritation to go away. In the meantime try to avoid any additional irritation to the area.

If it’s Candida you may notice redness and itchiness on your penis and in your groin. You may notice that the white stuff is still there even after following the cleaning tips. If this happens, we recommend contacting a healthcare provider to get medication (such as a cream or pill) to treat Candida.