Tight foreskin=circumcision?

**mum_inlove** · 10-09-2007 20:29

Hey all..

I just want to ask some questions..I noticed in the past week, my ds' penis looks a bit bigger, well, swollen than usual. So anyway, I took him to the gp today just to get it check, coz I wasn't sure whether it's because it's growing or maybe something else.

The gp said it looks a bit inflame at the moment, but it's nothing to worry about, so that's good. Then he said that ds' foreskin is very tight. He said it's pretty normal at the moment, but we'll have to wait for a couple of years or until when ds is around 6-7 years old, if it's still tight, then we might have to consider a circumcision.

What I want to know is, does tight foreskin means a bigger chance he'll need a circumcision? I mean, circumcision will be my last option, but it is need to get done, I would want him to get it done when he's still a bit young. But hopefully we won't have to.

Anyway, Thanks for all your advices in advance

**pookiesossige** · 10-09-2007 20:55

I was under the impression that many boys' foreskins are unable to retract until they are 9 or even older? And that there is no issue with that at all...

If I were you- I'd put my mind at ease and get a second opinion (or two). You may find that there is nothing to worry about. Plus, for a tight foreskin that is actually causing problems, a range of topical steroidal creams are easily available and are often prescribed for this sort of thing.

Maybe you could ask your doctor (or another one) about creams such as Betamethasone or Clobetasol Proprionate, should the need for them ever arise.

**jasesmum** · 10-09-2007 21:06

DS also had a little penis infection where it was swollen a few months back. His foreskin does not retract yet either...we were given similar advice in that if it did not retract in next few months or so that it was possible that he would need be circumcised. They referred to a condition "phimosis". I also sought a second opinion during this period of time as he needed antibiotics, the second doc said that he was far too young at this age to be considering that I think he said I need not worry till he was at least 5.

P.S. for the swollen penis try warm salt water baths...worked wonders for DS.

**MotherNurture** · 11-09-2007 05:38

This 'sticky' thread may be helpful to you:

Phimosis? Foreskin Development & Normal Age for Retraction

The foreskin is designed to be tight during infancy and early childhood. The tip (preputial sphincter) is snug like a purse-string so that urine can flow out but foreign material stays out. The foreskin is also attached to the glans by natural, beneficial adhesions called synechia that disolve over time. The tip of the foreskin may not become stretchy until adolescence when puberty-hormones kick in.

The chances that he'll ever need a circumcision are very, very slim.

Jen

**BabyLs** · 11-09-2007 07:22

We went to a developmental paed for my son and as part of his assessment he was checked over physically aswell. The Paed said his foreskin was really tight and there was slight ballooning when urinating.

We were referred to a Paediatric Urologist and he said we have to wait and see aswell....he said keep and eye on it and we are going back in 12 months....He said these days a boys penis doesn't retract til they are around 8 years old. He said the same to us that if it is still tight then he would look at cirumsicision. We may need to we are not sure, time will tell.

**warriorPRINCESSdaughter** · 11-09-2007 07:41

My DS1 had a tight fitting foreskin and i used to be worried about it not coming back as he got older, he is now 19. anyway once he got old enough to bath himself, i would tell him thatto be gentle when it was ready it would pull back. so to wash it and rinse it well. i have always been big on the truth about our bodies so it came naturally one day to ask him if his foreskin was coming back to wash? his comment will ring in my ears for ever " Of course it is mum" he was about 9. Don't fret it's normal.

Jodie

**our3boys** · 11-09-2007 07:50

i was told this also and ended up getting ds done if i was you i would get a second opinion as i should of.

**mum_inlove** · 11-09-2007 07:55

Thanks for all your help ladies! It really does put my mind at ease. Will try the salt water bath and see how it goes. The swollen has gone down a little this morning, so that's good. He didn't show any sign of discomfort, so that's another good thing. Maybe I'm just over reacting..Lol..But yeah, I'll just need to keep an eye on it for longer and get a second or even third opinion when it necesarry..

Thanks again!

**MotherNurture** · 11-09-2007 08:10

Originally Posted by BabyLs

The Paed said his foreskin was really tight and there was slight ballooning when urinating.

I just wanted to say ballooning happens when the synechia (natural, normal adhesions) release before the preputial sphincter (foreskin tip) becomes stretchy...it's a totally normal developmental stage that lots of boys go through.

Jen

**perthmum2007** · 11-09-2007 08:15

I was wondering this with ds so i just asked the doctor when i seen him one day he asked to have a look and agreed it was a bit tight (ds was 3) so he prescribed some steriod cream which will loosen it, I didnt want to put it on ds so i took him back to another doc he told me to forget about the cream as there suppose to be like that it will get looser as he gets older but for now not to worry to much.