Adult DS has had circumcision - please reassure me!

[GurlwiththeFrothyCurl]

Please don't use this thread for an anti-circumcision argument - I am actually against it unless there is a real medical need.

DS (who has ASD) has just been circumcised due to a medical condition - last Saturday in fact. He is now really struggling to deal with the after pain and increased sensitivity. One of the aspects of his autism is increased sensitivity to pain and touch - so I was worried about this anyway. He is now unable to bear wearing anything over the wound and keeps crying, swearing and screaming.

I think everything is healing OK, but has anyone experience of this in their family who can reassure me that the sensitivity will improve? DH and I are already exhausted with caring for him - we are both very ill with long-term conditions ourselves and are struggling to help him.

I am also feeling so guilty for encouraging him to go through with this procedure. It was totally necessary to cure a serious problem and one that was causing him real anguish. But I am now so worried about the outcome for him.

My then partner had this done late teens and iirc sensitivity did decrease over time.

Yes it absolutely will improve. It is still early days, and takes about two weeks to heal fully. Taking baths with some salt added to the water will help speed up the healing.

My DS had to have this done when he was 8, and for the first several days he simply wore very long loose t-shirts (obviously was housebound with this attire ). He too couldn't bear to have anything touching the wound.

I know it seems awful now, but have faith, things will fine - it just takes a little while for the sensitivity to lessen.

Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate this. It's so awful seeing your child (no matter how old) in such pain. Yes, I know it's not like a major operation, but it is upsetting all the same.

Was the condition phimosis? A tight foreskin?

If so, he needn't have had a circumcision.

A tight foreskin is often caused by scarring of the foreskin - this usually happens if he has an unusual masturbation technique. If he has been rubbing the top say.

Yes it will reduce sensitivity because you have removed the most sensitive part of the penis. Also the penis is now exposed, will brush on clothes etc and so will toughen up.

Yes, sensitivity decreases. Sadly in my ex boyfriend's case to the point where he couldn't keep it up and didn't enjoy sex at all. I think that level of scarring and desensitisation is rare though, or at least people don't talk about it much.

It's perfectly natural for it to hurt after the op, just like it does after an episiotomy, healing should be quite swift though.

After two weeks it will be in better shape then ever was. It hurts now but in a long run, good thing to do.

Thanks for your posts. He seems to be recovering well, so that is a relief. :)