Son, 8 - possible circumcision needed?

[Beachdays44]

Hi

My son is eight and he has a few problems. He is changing his undies a lot as he often does small wee's in them - he says he can't control it?

In the past he has sometimes found it hard to wee or it 'burns' when he wee's. UTI ruled out the last time. This hasn't been a problem for a few months.

Doctor mentioned that he has a tight foreskin and that a circumcision might be needed in a few years. He said most boys outgrew these symptoms but that if it is still a problem when he was 11/12 that would be strongly considered.

Has anyone had a child with this problem? I think I'm going to ask for the procedure to be done earlier?

Thanks

it's not that uncommon and most physicians/clinics/specialists should have an information booklet to guide you through.

My now ds15 had an emergency circumcision 2 years ago due to being unable to wee anything even though he had a full bladder. They found an unbelievable amount of scar tissue from previous water infections.
Im aware this isn't the same for your child but the recovery was painless and he's had no issues since.

If this were my son I would want to clearly understand what the diagnosis is. Have you seen a GP or a urologist?

He is over 6 years old so if his foreskin doesn't retract he should be given corticosteroid ointment to help things along +/- referral to a paediatric urologist.

If he has a retractile foreskin and no scarring then I don't understand why they are hypothesising about circumcision in a few years. It would be more appropriate to recommend gentle stretching exercises in the bath, the problem is more likely to get better than worse.

I wouldn't want an unnecessary circumcision for my son and you wouldn't be offered one on the NHS unless phimosis is present, steroids have failed, and you have seen a urologist.

I hope that is helpful

A circumcision is a very serious genital operation with huge lifelong effects, make sure that you get multiple doctors to confirm that it's the necessary course of action and that nothing else is working to fix it. Your son won't thank you for blindly rushing into it.

Absolutely this.

We had something a bit similar. The Gp said the burning wee was was Balanitis so penis head underneath foreskin was painful and inflamed and everything stung when weeing. Often caused by tight foreskin in small boys. Topical cream, baths rather than showers, swimming in chlorine and it sorted itself out. He’s ten now no issues for over a year.

That's good - I'm glad his problems are all over.

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My son's urologist said to encourage him to fiddle with it in the bath but he was pretty sure he would need circing sooner or later. The careplan was to do it the next time he needed surgery.

It's actually sorted out now--it was so tight to begin with steroids were not an option. I would ask to see a urologist and for steroids.

Just an update - my son saw a Urologist a few months after I posted this and she recommended a circumcision as a matter of urgency. He had it done a few weeks later and no problems since.