Phimosis / Tight Foreskin / Circumcision

[worried mummy]

Thanks, ZacK.


I have my reservations to send my son for circumcision because it is a irreversible surgery. So far, he only has a minor infection which was cured in a few days with oral medicine. That’s why I really hesitate whether it is really medically necessary to send him for circumcision. I also did a research on the NET and understand that some boys cannot pull back the foreskin till more than 10 years old and my boy is not even fully 6 years old.

I wonder where can I can a second medical opinion. On the other hand, if it is really necessary to be circumcised for phimosis in future, it would definitely be better and less embarassing to do it now while he is young.

[ZacK]

worried mummy:

Thanks, ZacK.


I have my reservations to send my son for circumcision because it is a irreversible surgery. So far, he only has a minor infection which was cured in a few days with oral medicine. That's why I really hesitate whether it is really medically necessary to send him for circumcision. I also did a research on the NET and understand that some boys cannot pull back the foreskin till more than 10 years old and my boy is not even fully 6 years old.

I wonder where can I can a second medical opinion. On the other hand, if it is really necessary to be circumcised for phimosis in future, it would definitely be better and less embarassing to do it now while he is young.

I can only comment as if I were in your position... Was the first incident of infection traumatising for both you and your boy? Or was it manageable? If it's manageable and the discomfort bearable for your boy, then I would hold back until much later and see if the condition would go away before doing anything that drastic.

Even if you get a second opinion, most docs will tell you prevention is better than cure, so would probably tell you to consider circumcision. The problem is boys' foreskin in general are not retractable till a bit later, so it may still be too early to tell if our boys have phimosis or not.

[worried mummy]

He only had one incident of slight infection with no other complains. In fact he didn’t even complain to me about the pain till the GP asked him. We sent him to see a GP because of his frequent urination. The GP subsequently referred him to a paediatric urologist who thinks that there is very low chance of him being able to pull back the foreskin and suggested circumcision.

[Christine_T]

worried mummy:

He only had one incident of slight infection with no other complains. In fact he didn't even complain to me about the pain till the GP asked him. We sent him to see a GP because of his frequent urination. The GP subsequently referred him to a paediatric urologist who thinks that there is very low chance of him being able to pull back the foreskin and suggested circumcision.

It is normal for the foreskin not to retract.
http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/

Unfortunately some doctors are not aware of this. Especially in the USA where the rate of circumcision is higher.

You must not try to retract the foreskin or clean under it. This can damage the foreskin and create scar tissue. Scar tissue is inelastic and may cause true phimosis (rather than normal infant unretractability)

The penis doesn't require any care. So the advice is to just leave it alone. Most boys worldwide are intact (75%) and do fine. IN Britain , France, Germany and most of Europe they do not circumcise. They know there is no care required and their kids grow up great.
http://www.cirp.org/pages/parents/care/

[ZacK]

Christine_T:

worried mummy:

He only had one incident of slight infection with no other complains. In fact he didn't even complain to me about the pain till the GP asked him. We sent him to see a GP because of his frequent urination. The GP subsequently referred him to a paediatric urologist who thinks that there is very low chance of him being able to pull back the foreskin and suggested circumcision.

It is normal for the foreskin not to retract.
http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/

Unfortunately some doctors are not aware of this. Especially in the USA where the rate of circumcision is higher.

You must not try to retract the foreskin or clean under it. This can damage the foreskin and create scar tissue. Scar tissue is inelastic and may cause true phimosis (rather than normal infant unretractability)

The penis doesn't require any care. So the advice is to just leave it alone. Most boys worldwide are intact (75%) and do fine. IN Britain , France, Germany and most of Europe they do not circumcise. They know there is no care required and their kids grow up great.
http://www.cirp.org/pages/parents/care/

Thanks for the note. My sentiments exactly

[worried mummy]

Thanks to all of you. You have helped me to decide not to send my boy for circumcision. This thing has been bugging me for the last few days…

[phankao]

Christine_T:

You must not try to retract the foreskin or clean under it. This can damage the foreskin and create scar tissue. Scar tissue is inelastic and may cause true phimosis (rather than normal infant unretractability)

Sigh, our boy had an injury, and there's possibility of scar tissue. But couldn't quite tell yet at the 1 week review. Have to wait for 6-mth review. Problem is, he's not that young now at 10yrs old. Big enough to not relish the possiblity of circumcision, no matter how \"simple\" or \"common\" a procedure it could be. So he's really hoping that probabiliy of scaring is low and not lead to phimosis. ;(

[ZacK]

worried mummy:

Thanks to all of you. You have helped me to decide not to send my boy for circumcision. This thing has been bugging me for the last few days...

I can understand how you feel as parent caught at the \"crossroads\" deciding what is best for our children :?:

Good to hear that you can have a good nite's sleep tonight

[ZacK]

phankao:

Christine_T:

You must not try to retract the foreskin or clean under it. This can damage the foreskin and create scar tissue. Scar tissue is inelastic and may cause true phimosis (rather than normal infant unretractability)

Sigh, our boy had an injury, and there's possibility of scar tissue. But couldn't quite tell yet at the 1 week review. Have to wait for 6-mth review. Problem is, he's not that young now at 10yrs old. Big enough to not relish the possiblity of circumcision, no matter how \"simple\" or \"common\" a procedure it could be. So he's really hoping that probabiliy of scaring is low and not lead to phimosis. ;(

Wow hope your boy will be fine... It's never easy to get an injury to something so \"delicate\"... All the best to your boy!

[phankao]

ZacK:

Wow hope your boy will be fine... It's never easy to get an injury to something so \"delicate\"... All the best to your boy!

Got kicked in the groin at the playground and foreskin tore. :!: