Newbie

[StockBeen]

Hi guys,

Newbie here.

I first heard about auto-circumcision and this community on reddit as possible treatment to balanitis. I have red, irritated inner foreskin (often itchy) and a red blotchy glans which I have had for a good few years now after having unprotected sex with a girl on holiday (most likely fungal induced). I have tried pretty much every possible treatment (e.g creams, natural remedies, pills to kill fungal infections etc etc) and nothing has really worked. So I thought I may as well give auto circ a go after hearing some success stories on this page and on reddit.

I just had a few questions first before I start pulling it back. Firstly is there anything I need to seriously consider before I try auto circ? For example, can it cause any lasting changes which I may not know about?
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for how long I should try pulling back to begin with? I have tried it for a few hours during the day for a couple days because my foreskin will stay behind the glans for a short period once pulled back. Surprisingly, it was okay because I think I desensitised fairly quickly. Because it won't stay pulled back for long periods I have ordered a sort of ring from a Japanese company, which someone on this page shared recently; I think this will be the best option for me as I don't think I have enough foreskin for the spoon method or using tape. 
Finally, has anyone here recovered from balanitis and can give me any tips on the process, e.g how long I should pull it back for to see any improvement?

Sorry for the long post guys, but greatly appreciate any comments or advice. Cheers

[Kylar]

I just had a few questions first before I start pulling it back. Firstly is there anything I need to seriously consider before I try auto circ? For example, can it cause any lasting changes which I may not know about?

The only drastic change I can think of is the loss of sensitivity in the glans.  Mainly the "it hurts if you touch it, don't do that!" kind of sensitivity (which a lot of people think is great to get rid of), but in the (very) long run, there's also general sensitivity decrease.  But this is all gradual, and you can stop anytime anyway.  Though I guess the balanitis might like to return if you cover it again, so that's a bit of a dilemma, but for a lot of people it's possible to partially cover the glans, which might help leaving the things clean and dry enough for the balanitis not to return, and still get some protection.

Also, does anyone have a recommendation for how long I should try pulling back to begin with? I have tried it for a few hours during the day for a couple days because my foreskin will stay behind the glans for a short period once pulled back. Surprisingly, it was okay because I think I desensitised fairly quickly. Because it won't stay pulled back for long periods I have ordered a sort of ring from a Japanese company, which someone on this page shared recently; I think this will be the best option for me as I don't think I have enough foreskin for the spoon method or using tape.

However long you find comfortable or doable.  Those Japanese/Chinese rings tend to be a bit on the small/tight side, and aren't exactly comfortable to wear for more than a few hours at a time — mine always dig into my skin enough to make me sore.

Tapes can be done by anyone with any foreskin length, they're just a pain to remove.

The spoon method: not for everyone, but give it a try (and it takes some learning both for your fingers and for the foreskin, so don't expect a miracle right away).  There's a very nice video tutorial pinned on the forum using a hair pin to make the fold.
 

Finally, has anyone here recovered from balanitis and can give me any tips on the process, e.g how long I should pull it back for to see any improvement?

Throw a search at the forum, I think "balanitis" will bring up a good handful of posts.

[StockBeen]

Thanks for the information Kylar.

To be honest if pulling back does work and it gets rid of the balanitis, I may continue to pull it back for the health reasons. It is something I could definitely get used to.

Yeah you might be right about those rings. I will experiment again with the tape and spoon to see if I can get it to work. I just need a technique to keep it retracted overnight when I sleep.