Circumcising a Pre-Teen?

[LuvMy4Babes]

My almost 10 year old has an extremely tight foreskin and looks as though he may need to be circumcised. :(I am so sad for him if he needs to have it done at this age, but if it has to be done it has to be done. We've tried the steroid cream from the Pediatric Urologist to try stretching the skin and have an appt. on Monday to decide where to go from here.

Anyone else had to circumcise a pre-teen?

[MotherNurture]

If he can pee fine, I'd wait. The hormones of puberty often help loosen things up. If not, besides steroid cream and stretching exercises there are other procedures (like dilation under anesthetic, a tiny dorsal slit, etc) that preserve the foreskin while relieving phimosis. The foreskin is sexually function, nerve laden tissue and circumcision is permanent to be sure to research all of the options thoroughly before you decide. Also know that many doctors are ignorant about foreskin health and care and are quick to recommend circumcision over less invasive procedures.

The "sticky" Phimosis? Foreskin Development & Normal Age for Retraction (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=70500) has some good info that might be helpful to you. You might also consider contacting the director of NoCirc (http://nocirc.org/), Marilyn Milos for ideas/resources/referral.

Good luck and best wishes,

Jen

[pegasus]

This is a bit different to your situation, but my DSS was circumcised at 10. I'm posting this really in regards to physical after issues.

We were living interstate and he apparently told his mum he wanted to be circ'd to be like other boys he knew.

We weren't sure about this, but we move back to be near him one week before his op (we'd only found the day after we moved).

Basically - although we (myself and DH) disagreed on the reasons for the circ (as far as we're aware, the majority of boys of his age aren't circ'd and we figured this was more of a thing to do with self esteem and trying to fit in with certain boys), we had to support the decision of the mum.

DSS went into the surgery saying he wanted it (no negative words from us, although if he'd been my son, he'd have got a visit with a counsellor first before any surgery was agreed to) but as your reasons for this circ are medical, then the next paragraph of my post is relevant.

My DSS was off school about a week and was back playing footy in 2 or 3 weeks. He's got no reported issues, we discussed it at the time and he's now nearly 13 - (we haven't discussed it for a couple of years now).

So in summary - physically - it may slow him down for a couple of weeks, but that's it. If it's medically indicated, I suspect, it won't slow him down at all, as it will make some aspects of his daily life better.

Goodluck

[Lastcenturymum]

Our son had to done at 6 for same reasons, tried every other possibility and it was a health risk as it was so tight he kept getting infections.

My dad told me he had to have it done (don't know why) at 21 and it was very painful esp when he had erections. Our son had no problems with healing etc

[Mahjong]

My brother was done at 7 due to the same issue. Was painful for the poor guy.

He has has no problems since. Mum took him to a Pead and was done at the local hospital.

I wont lie, he was pretty sore and sorry for himself for a few weeks, lots of ice, rest and definately no contact sports!

DS is 3.5 and has we've just found out this afternoon that he has his first UTI due to an infection in the foreskin area. Quite common for lil boys between ages of 3-7 who have not been circ'ed. He's on a course of Antibiotics and has a cream for the area to use for the same duration of the medication. They will assess him again after they are finished.

I really hope we dont have to go down the path Mum did with my brother.

As for kids not being able to pull it back until they are 13, DS has been doing it for a few weeks now no problem.

The infections dont just start from playing with it, uncirc'ed boys have a higher risk of infection due to some urine hanging around in that area after using the toilet.

Our GP advised to wash it with just water or if you think it needs something more, try QV wash.

[MotherNurture]

DS is 3.5 and has we've just found out this afternoon that he has his first UTI due to an infection in the foreskin area. Quite common for lil boys between ages of 3-7 who have not been circ'ed.

It's actually not common at all. During the first year of life is when UTIs are most common in boys. They have a much lower risk than girls, regardless of circumcision status because they have a longer urethra than females. Anyway, for infants the risk of an intact boy during the first year of life is only 1/100; the risks of circumcising are much higher. (71% risk of penile adhesions, 10% risk of meatal stenosis, etc.)

More info here: http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/UTI/


As for kids not being able to pull it back until they are 13, DS has been doing it for a few weeks now no problem.

Some kids can retract comfortably by age 5, you're right; it's a totally individual thing. I think the poster was just saying that parents shouldn't stress about their son not being able to retract pre-puberty.


The infections dont just start from playing with it, uncirc'ed boys have a higher risk of infection due to some urine hanging around in that area after using the toilet.

That's a very common myth. Urine is sterile. It doesn't put boys at any more risk for UTI than our "flaps" (inner and outer labia) do for us. Bacteria, viruses, and fungus cause the most common infections.

Viruses are an uncommon cause for problems in a child because they're not sexually active.

Bacteria usually gets transferred to the penis from dirty hands, and a little scratch from a fingernail or a micro-tear from messing with the foreskin before it's ready can provide the point of entry.

Fungus is usually candida (aka, yeast). Candida can cause issues if the child's on antibiotics or is having other immune issues or diabetes, or is washing excessively (because like douching, washing the penis too frequently and zealously, especially with soap, can cause an imbalance of good, healthy flora and pH.)


Our GP advised to wash it with just water or if you think it needs something more, try QV wash.

What's QV wash?

[Shanaynay]

Fungus is usually candida (aka, yeast). Candida can cause issues if the child's on antibiotics or is having other immune issues or diabetes, or is washing excessively (because like douching, washing the penis too frequently and zealously, especially with soap, can cause an imbalance of good, healthy flora and pH.)


It is possible that is a cause, perhaps you could make sure your DS is getting plenty of good bacteria through poroper yoghurt or probiotic drinks, and see if that makes a difference.
Some people just seem to be predisposed to developing UTIs as a result of fungal stuff.
My mum gets them all the time if she doesn't keep up with the probiotics.

[MotherNurture]

It is possible that is a cause, perhaps you could make sure your DS is getting plenty of good bacteria through poroper yoghurt or probiotic drinks, and see if that makes a difference.
Some people just seem to be predisposed to developing UTIs as a result of fungal stuff.
My mum gets them all the time if she doesn't keep up with the probiotics.

Probiotics are a great idea, phineas. :thumbsup:

Yogurt can even be applied topically (to the area that's inflamed, or if you're a woman that has a yeast infection it can even be used internally, vaginally). Kefir is also supposed to be good, and there are probiotic supplements you can find in healthfood stores as well.

[Mahjong]

Well, thank you very much for pulling my post apart. I was just giving information to the OP that was given to ME from MY son's GP two days ago. DS is currently suffering a UTI and a very red and sore foreskin.

[xkwzit]

I think we all need to step back some. Just because ppl post with additional or even contradictory information doesn't mean they are having a go at someone who has already provided that info.

The hub is here to allow us all to share information, so the the OP has as much good information as possible to work with. It's important that she has access to any and everything that we can give her so that she can use that to help make the best decision for her son.

Cheers

[circangel]

I believe it should be available to all no matter what the age as it is so important.

[MotherNurture]

I believe it should be available to all no matter what the age as it is so important.

:confused:

Jen