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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DS circumcision

39 replies

Powertothepetal · 05/09/2021 15:22

I just want to get some opinions before I try and get a GP appointment for DS, appointments are hard to get because of Corona so if it isn’t necessary I don’t want to take a slot from someone else.

So, DH had severe Phimosis (non retracting foreskin) and had to be circumcised.
DS is almost 5 and the past few days has been saying his willy hurts after going for a wee.
His foreskin doesn’t retract at all much really and the small bit you can expose when you push it down is a sort of blue/purple colour.

I’ve also noticed his foreskin seems to ‘balloon’ when weeing but unsure if that is normal for men?
For the foreskin to swell when weeing?

I want to take him to the GP but I don’t want to look an idiot if what I’m describing is actually normal??
Nor do I want to take a slot from someone really Ill as appointments are hard to get at the moment.

So, just looking for some opinions really as to if it sounds normal or not before I get an appointment

OP posts:
TabithaTiger · 05/09/2021 15:23

If he says it hurts then contact the GP for advice. It might be an infection. My DD had this op when he was a baby for the same reason, he never had any pain.

CocktailOnion · 05/09/2021 15:26

No it's not normal,that is exactly what happened with my son , it was very bad by the time he mentioned it to me and he was having difficulty passing urine, take him to the gp.
The op was minor afternoon surgery and he recovered quickly.
All the best.

ofwarren · 05/09/2021 15:28

Definitely not normal. My son had it and they operated when he was about 6.

dementedpixie · 05/09/2021 15:31

Ballooning can be normal and it is helping separate the foreskin from the head of the penis. If he has pain there is no harm in getting help from the gp. Sometimes steroid cream can help but the foreskin may not retract until puberty

GoodnightGrandma · 05/09/2021 15:32

You definitely wouldn’t be wasting an appointment.

dementedpixie · 05/09/2021 15:33

www.nhs.uk/conditions/circumcision-in-boys/ says ballooning can be normal

Original poster
Powertothepetal · 05/09/2021 16:03

It’s reassuring to hear the ballooning can be normal but what is worrying me more is the complaint of pain and the fact the head (or what very little I can expose of it) seems to be a really odd colour, surely it’s not supposed to be blue?!

OP posts:
shouldistop · 05/09/2021 16:05

Of course it's not normal for it to hurt when he pees. You shouldn't be trying to retract his foreskin.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 05/09/2021 16:06

Yeah a blue penis doesn't sound right, I don't think you are wasting anyone's time here!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/09/2021 16:07

He might not need circumcising, often some prescribed steriod cream and some gentle persuasion helps.

Changechangychange · 05/09/2021 16:12

It can be normal for the foreskin not to retract up to about age 6-7.

But yes if it hurts, or the glans is a funny colour, get the GP to look at it. He probably won’t need a circumcision even if he has a phimosis - you would use steroid cream first (or antibiotics/antifungals if there’s an infection). The adhesions can also be released. Circumcision is the last resort.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/phimosis/

Copium · 05/09/2021 16:29

The foreskin doesn’t normally retract until much later. When young, the foreskin is attached to the head of the penis with the same type of cells that attach nails to nail beds. It naturally gradually separates over time, sometimes not until well into puberty.

This is why you should never try to retract it, and the pain could well be from your attempts to do so.

Forcibly retracting the foreskin too early can also cause scar tissue adhesions, which can cause problems.

If a circumcision is suggested (which I don’t think is likely) look up conservative treatments first, before making a decision that will permanently affect your 5 year old son’s future adult life. For example circumcision removes 70% of the nerve endings in the penis, and entirely removes the special nerves that enable a man to control orgasm speed. It also exposes the ridge, which drags moisture out of the recipient partner and causes pain for them. Many men resent their parents for doing it to them (then of course, many men don’t).

Curcumcision is normalised but it is a serious decision (especially on young boys who can’t consent and don’t understand the side effects), and should be an absolute last resort.

RiversideAnne · 05/09/2021 16:30

You must know the blue colour isn’t normal…?

bagheera92 · 05/09/2021 16:36

My little boy was born with a condition called hypospadias .
Part of the condition caused the end of his penis the for skin to swell when he was peeing . It's called balanitis. He ended up in hospital a few times as he ended up getting a severe infection from it .
He's now had surgery to correct and repair the hypospadia . One of things they did was a modified circumcision .
He's not had 1 problem since . No swelling when peeing .
I would most definitely take your little one to go if he's still having problems after circumcision x

Sadiecow · 05/09/2021 16:38

You're concerned, your son is in pain.

Take him the the GP. Best case scenario is that it's nothing, but best to be sure!

Namenic · 05/09/2021 16:39

Don’t try and retract it without seeking advice from gp first. You may need to get a urine sample when you go to gp - to confirm no infection. Gp may refer you on to a specialist.

I guess a lot may depend on the severity of symptoms. We have decided for watchful waiting as no infections or significant ballooning. Steroid cream worked temporarily, but then stopped after the course finished.

Original poster
Powertothepetal · 05/09/2021 16:51

You shouldn't be trying to retract his foreskin
I have never forced it or anything, just that it’s clear when you touch it it will only barely go back exposing a tiny bit of blue glans.

And I didn’t even try until he said it was painful and DH immediately wondered if he had the same condition as him.

For example circumcision removes 70% of the nerve endings in the penis, and entirely removes the special nerves that enable a man to control orgasm speed. It also exposes the ridge, which drags moisture out of the recipient partner and causes pain for them. Many men resent their parents for doing it to them (then of course, many men don’t)
This is incredibly unhelpful.
DHs circumcision was needed and if DS needs the operation for the same reason it’s really insensitive to go off on a rant about how inhumane it is when it is hardly something we can help.

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 05/09/2021 17:00

Banging on about the risks and disadvantages of circumcision might be relevant if OP was thinking about it for cultural reasons, but she’s not.

Definitely book a GP consultation.

Zombiemum1946 · 05/09/2021 17:12

He's in pain, phone the gp.

TabithaTiger · 05/09/2021 17:19

@Powertothepetal

I just want to get some opinions before I try and get a GP appointment for DS, appointments are hard to get because of Corona so if it isn’t necessary I don’t want to take a slot from someone else.

So, DH had severe Phimosis (non retracting foreskin) and had to be circumcised.
DS is almost 5 and the past few days has been saying his willy hurts after going for a wee.
His foreskin doesn’t retract at all much really and the small bit you can expose when you push it down is a sort of blue/purple colour.

I’ve also noticed his foreskin seems to ‘balloon’ when weeing but unsure if that is normal for men?
For the foreskin to swell when weeing?

I want to take him to the GP but I don’t want to look an idiot if what I’m describing is actually normal??
Nor do I want to take a slot from someone really Ill as appointments are hard to get at the moment.

So, just looking for some opinions really as to if it sounds normal or not before I get an appointment

It really worries me that you've said you don't want to take up a GP apt. GPs are seeing as many people as they always have, just some are over the phone. If your child is in pain, of course you must phone the GP. They'll assess whether it's serious or not, you shouldn't feel you have to consult Mumsnet to decide.

I hope he's ok.

Aqua55 · 05/09/2021 17:22

If its turning blue, I'd be going straight to a and e

ActonSquirrel · 05/09/2021 17:22

@RiversideAnne

You must know the blue colour isn’t normal…?
OP doesn't have a penis and her DH is circumcised. Maybe she doesn't 🤷🏼‍♀️
CecilyP · 05/09/2021 17:27

I want to take him to the GP but I don’t want to look an idiot if what I’m describing is actually normal??

There’s no way you will look an idiot. How would you be supposed to know what is normal for a little boy.?

If your DS is experiencing pain, he needs to see a doctor. The doctor will advise and you can later decide the outcome.

SusannahSophia · 05/09/2021 17:29

My DS had similar ballooning. He was referred to a urology consultant by the GP who wasn’t at all worried. He suggested my son tried retracting the foreskin himself gently each time he was in the bath. There’s also a steroid cream which can be prescribed but they didn’t think he needed that. Circumcision was very much a treatment of last resort. I think treatment has changed through the years.

SusannahSophia · 05/09/2021 17:30

Just to add, go see the GP.

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