How do i know if my DS needs a circumcision?

[WheresTheAuPair]

DS is 2.3 years and when he wees or gets an erection it looks almost triangular in shape as the end looks so tight! other than that there is no soreness as yet and its still functioning ok. (DH had to have circumcision for same reason as a child).

Is there anyone out there got any experience of circumcision for medical reasons?

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general rule is leave it alone - he is still very young and sometimes it doesn't seperate from the glans until puberty.

read This and This HTH

Circumcisions for medical reasons are a lot less common now than when your dh was a boy. If it's not bothering ds and there is no infection, I would just leave it.

More info here.
"Circumcision shouldn't be performed simply because the foreskin is tight and non-retractile. For the overwhelming majority of boys, it will become looser and retractile as they get older. It is only when a tight, non-retractile foreskin is combined with repeated episodes of infection that circumcision could be necessary."

Having read the attached articles I am very confused as to what to do. My 13 month old son was due to have a circumcision last Wednesday, but because he had a cough the op was cancelled. I really don't know what to do in terms of rebooking the appointment now. The doctor refered him for the op after seeing him for ballooning when he urinates. It doesn't cause him any pain and he has had no infection. This has been happening since he was 5 months old.

From what they say in the articles it really isn't necersary and will sort it's self out... arg (pulling my hair out)

ballooning can be a normal part of the process of the seperation from the glans and actually aids the process. as per my second link.

'Ballooning of the Foreskin
Ballooning of the foreskin while urinating can be a normal phase of development during childhood. It is not an indication for circumcision. Ballooning is a temporary phenomenon that arises when the foreskin begins to separate from the glans. It speeds the process of separation and disappears when the process is complete'

That is what is worrying me. Do I listen to the doc who says circumcision, or go with that article? it is so difficult to know what to do, as there are always going to be arguments from both sides. You have to put your faith in a doctor, and hearing a different argument has confused me.... Discussed it with my partner again last night, and we are no nearer making a decission

cheekychops I work with a paed surgeon who will not perform circumscisions on children under 2 at the very least. Not least because of the anaesthetic risks for a small child for a routine (ie not urgent) prrocedure.

cheekychopsmum - if you google 'ballooning of foreskin' every site says it is a natural/normal occurence and will stop once the foreskin has seperated from the glans.

I know nothing about nothing but I do think that information is correct. On one site it says 'CIRP note: Ballooning of the foreskin now (2006) is considered to be a sign that separation of the foreskin from the underlying glans penis is proceeding normally. It is not a cause for concern. Ballooning is a normal stage of development. Ballooning will stop when the opening of the foreskin enlarges with normal growth and development over a period of time'

Do a search and honestly not one says circumsise.

this is taken from NHS direct

Circumcision is not necessary if swelling or ?ballooning? of the foreskin occurs when the boy passes urine. This is relatively common, has no harmful effects and should cease with time as the foreskin become looser.

Circumcision for medical reasons is rarely necessary and generally best avoided in boys who are still in nappies.

I hear you, and thank you for your time. I have researched and everything is teling me not to go ahead, but then I think, what if the doc knows something more and my son is a worst case senario ( the hole is tiny - was seen by seveal paed before the Urologist and they all said it was the tightest they had ever seen) and we leave it and he goes on to have problems and we could have sorted it out without him really knowing.

My stomach is in knots

If I were you, I wouldn't rebook the op, but make an appointment to go back to the doc and talk to him about it. Tell about the research you have done saying ballooning usually sorts itself out and circ rarely recommended for kids in nappies(bring the article printouts even) and ask why he is going against the generally accepted recommendations in your son's case.

It's true that the doc has seen your son and we have not. There could be a medical reason why your son's case is different. If so, the doc will be able to explain his reasoning. If his explanation is reassuring, you can still go ahead. If you're not sure, you can wait and see. If his explanation is a load of bollox, you can cancel.

Thanks Sparks. I think I'll do what you've suggested, that way I can rid myself of this horrible guilt xx