To ask about circumcision?

[postingherefortraffic]

I didn’t know where to post this- Health? Teenagers? Here for traffic?

Anyway, saw GP today for unrelated issue. Thought I’d ask again about my Pre-teen’s tight foreskin (I’ve asked regularly over the years and kept being told to wait and see). He’s checked it today and is making a referral.

Is full circumcision our only option? GP seems to think so.

We obviously want to explore options.

Thank you.

My 3yo also has penile phimosis. His paediatrician thought he would need a circumcision but the specialist is happy to wait. The specialist said that as long as he doesn't get skin infections it is fine to wait and see and it might resolve itself. If not he said we could opt for a circumcision or an operation the makes small cuts in an effort to release the foreskin. I'd rather wait until DS is old enough to have a say on the decision. I don't have an issue with a medical circumcision but don't want to make the decision on behalf of someone else.

Salt water to keep it clean and stretching twice a day for a few weeks sorted it for an ex I had.

you do know that intact young men are not any less clean or hygienic than circumcised young men

I know that. I said it was easier to keep clean, in that there is no foreskin to retract and clean under. If The foreskin doesn't serve any purpose (like an appendix) so I don't think removing it is 'mutilation'.
Particularly if it's causing pain and ongoing problems.

Agree the sensitivity thing is a myth.

DH had a similar issue, and he was given steroid creams which didn't work so he ended up with a full circumcision. He was given the option of a partial, but chose a full one when he was told about the likelihood of requiring further treatment for a partial. Recovery wasn't very fun - he didn't really sleep much for the first few days because involuntary erections were extremely painful. He was very apprehensive about getting it done, but he can't believe how much more comfortable it is now he doesn't have the tightness issue.

Oh god here come the never circumcise crazies.

Oh god, yeah, those mental cases who don't want to mutilate their children's genitals. Freaks!

@juliesaway crazies? ODFOD.

Plenty of men report loss of sensitIvity. Like all medical procedures, it’s a balance of risk and benefit. Which is why it’s not ok to do it for no medical reason and perfectly valid to do it in situations as described by the OP.

Good luck to your son OP, hope the appointment goes well.

It is very common that this problem rights itself at puberty.

Is his fore skin causing actual problems at the moment? Balanitis, discomfort etc!

posting the consultant we saw was lovely and really tried to reassure my son that is a very common issue, the problem is it's not something that boys want to talk about with their friends! How old is your son? I'm glad he's found some small comfort in knowing he's not alone in facing this issue!

My son is usually very much a closed book so this must have been quite painful for him otherwise I'm sure he wouldn't have told me about it!

Circumcision is very hygienic and healthy.

@DoloresvonTrope - So is remaining intact...

It should be a last resort to cut off a part of your child's body. If at all possible wait until they are 18 and can make the decision themselves.

@zoopdragon Of course it reduces sensitivity. The foreskin protects the head of the penis, preventing it rubbing against clothing etc. Remove this protection and the head is simulated more often, becoming desensitised to stimulus as a result. I found it also increases friction when masturbating or receiving hand jobs etc. requiring artificial lubrication. If medically necessary, fair enough. I don't think it should be done as routinely as in America. The foreskin is as useful as the clitoral hood, would you advocate removal of that? Or the labia? You wouldn't have to clean around them anymore, I suppose, if that's your motivation...

*stimulation

Hang on OP my son had this issue and they did a minor op on him, not a circumcision (though that would have been plan b if this op hadn't worked) it was a few year ago so I need to check back my records and get the name of the procedure. The paediatrician recommended it and it has worked v well, I'll get back to you.

@Lilifer - Preputioplasty?

In the States around 80% of men are circumcised. It's easier to keep clean and reduces the risk of infections, including HIV transmission.

The research regarding HIV and circumcision was debunked years ago.

I wonder why US want men circumcised so they dont have to take the time to wash.

juliesaway, nobody on here has suggested the op and her son do anything other than follow medical advice.
If the op’s son needs to be circumcised for medical reasons then that’s what should be done. Why on earth would anyone suggest anything different?

I mentioned my friend’s son as his situation sounded very similar and I thought the op may find it useful to hear that other boys of a similar age are going through similar and in fact have received the same advice from their consultant. My second more general post on circumcision was in answer to another poster asking why the op would like to avoid the procedure when it was clearly so widespread in the US.

Really useful advice, folks, thank you. Would definitely be interested to hear what that more minor procedure is called. Thank you.

My db had this done as a teenager in the 80s. He is now approaching 50 and has never mentioned any problems.

If The foreskin doesn't serve any purpose (like an appendix) so I don't think removing it is 'mutilation'

It does serve a purpose. Like the appendix.

I had a boyfriend whos mother had been against circumcision. His foreskin could not be drawn back, it caused him serious discomfort and sexual problems. He was at the point of considering getting it done as an adult. Sometimes it is medically advisable.

How do you know of there’s a problem, if you don’t mind me asking?
I don’t know if my 13yo DS can retract his foreskin or not, I’ve never seen it retracted (obviously he showers himself now). He hasn’t mentioned it at all - should I ask him (and embarrass him like hell!) or wait to see if he mentions any problems?