For those with uncircumsized boys

At their age 3 well visit, our doctor was concerned that Aaron's foreskin was very tight. (NOTE: we were in a country where circumcision is rare, but growing in popularity - ie the opposite of the US). He recommended circumcision in the near future. I wasn't impressed with the doctor for other reasons (it was the first time we saw him), so I sought an opinion from a pediatric urologist when we were home in the US. The ped urologist said the foreskin was tight, but he was fine. He prescribed the steroid cream to help loosen it. We did that for 2 weeks, but Aaron hated having it put on. The urologist also recommended that we just encourage Aaron to play with it and retract it himself after being in the bath - when the skin would be loosest. So we had a doctor's recommendation for Aaron to play with himself.

We encouraged the retraction maybe 25% of the time and kind of just forgot about the whole thing. Now at nearly 5, the foreskin is almost completed retractable (he can comfortable get it past the head of the penis). I'm so glad I didn't rush into an unnecessary surgery. He's just fine without any intervention besides a short stint with some cream and encouragement to play with himself (another for good measure).

If you're doubting your decision because of a "tight foreskin diagnosis", seek out that 2nd or 3rd opinion. Just like the parenting books/experts say, phimosis is over diagnosed.

 

Thanks I appreciate the information. Our twins are the first boys in my family not to be circumcised and I really don't know what to expect. I'll tuck that information back in my brain incase I need it. The steriod cream is interesting. Again thanks for sharing.

BTW: Could you tell me why you thought your little guy's foreskin maybe too tight?

 

None of my boys are circ'd and out of the 3 of them Jesse has the "tight" foreskin. The pedi isnt too concerned just yet .. but says he might need to see a urologist. I'll be sure to get a second opinion before deciding to do anything major though !

 

Good to know! But like a PP asked, how will I know if the foreskin is too tight? I'm not terribly familiar with uncirc'd penises myself.

 

Thanks for the heads up! And good thing you listened to your instincts on that one.

I'm a bit unfamiliar with the issue - can a foreskin actually be so tight that it really requires medical attention? What problems does it cause?

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ Oct 5 2008, 02:16 PM) [snapback]1012359[/snapback]
Thanks for the heads up! And good thing you listened to your instincts on that one.

I'm a bit unfamiliar with the issue - can a foreskin actually be so tight that it really requires medical attention? What problems does it cause?

If the foreskin is too tight then it cant fully retract and the head of the penis cant come out all the way. Not a problem until the male gets an erection and the head cant come through the foreskin. (sorry if TMI !)

 

Approx. how old will the boys be when their foreskin can retract? Would I know now if the foreskin is too tight? My boys are just 4 months old.

 

First off, when your boys are babies NEVER, EVER, EVER retract the foreskin. It is supposed to be tight and cover the glans. It protects everything from infection. Circumcised boys can get diaper rash on the glans. As they get older - say age 2 or 3 - doctors will often check at a well baby visit. S/he should gently retract to see how far it will go. S/he should never force it beyond it's natural stopping point.

Doctors sometimes are fixated with complete retraction by age 3 or 4. I think it's overblown and some boys don't fully retract until they starting masturbating or have frequent erections. Phimosis is the medical term for a tight foreskin. Some doctors will automatically recommend circumcision as a correction. Some are truly ignorant of other options while I'm convinced that some are simply pro-circumcision. But surgical repair is very rare is countries with low circumcision rates. Just encouraging the boy to retract the foreskin usually solves the problem. The steroid cream can be used on stubborn cases.

 

I agree... The same thing happened with Nicholas, so I just made sure in the bath he pulled it back... Now at 6 he is fine.

 

Thanks for the info. Good to know.

 

Yes, thank you!