Intact questions from my son...

[moonglowmama]

My son is 8 and asked me a few questions I don't know the answer to, so I thought I'd ask here, for those with older sons to help answer (dh is circ'd).

In talking about retraction (I had casually asked him if he was able to retract his foreskin) he asked me several questions I was able to answer but not this:

1- When his foreskin is able to retract, will it then just "spring back up" on its own, or will it stay down until he pulls it back up? (he was thinking of a rocket),

2- Will the foreskin turn inside out as it goes down, or will it bunch up around the base of where it's connected? Something else?

Thanks in advance for answering. I was outwardly very calm, but freaking out a little on the inside that I couldn't answer him completely. Which reminds me, is there a book or something I could keep to learn more about the intact penis? Or a link?

[Fi.]

There's some gifs and videos of men retracting their foreskins, once you see those I'm sure you'll be able to answer his questions.

It used to be a sticky but I'm sure someone else will have the link or a search may work.

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by moonglowmama

My son is 8 and asked me a few questions I don't know the answer to, so I thought I'd ask here, for those with older sons to help answer (dh is circ'd).

In talking about retraction (I had casually asked him if he was able to retract his foreskin) he asked me several questions I was able to answer but not this:

1- When his foreskin is able to retract, will it then just "spring back up" on its own, or will it stay down until he pulls it back up? (he was thinking of a rocket),

It depends on the situation and I suppose the individual. In my case, it will tend to return to the forward position when soft. But it kind of 'creeps' back rather than springs. In most degrees of arousal it will tend to stay back once pulled back. The frenelum on the underside is the spring that tends to pull it forward.

Originally Posted by moonglowmama

2- Will the foreskin turn inside out as it goes down, or will it bunch up around the base of where it's connected? Something else?

Thanks in advance for answering. I was outwardly very calm, but freaking out a little on the inside that I couldn't answer him completely. Which reminds me, is there a book or something I could keep to learn more about the intact penis? Or a link?

In a sense both. the tip of his foreskin, when retracted and pulled back to its furthest extent will turn itself inside out. Often it will kind of bunch up at the base unless your pulling it back, though this will depend on each guy (how much foreskin he has and his current state) There are some non-pornographic pictures here: http://www.foreskin.org/page2.htm

which demonstrate it using a marker. They're under the link labeled '3zones...' and show a step by step progression. At the very least you can look at them and then describe it to him or, if you're comfortable with them you could show him, it's of course your call.

I am sure there is a book that you could buy but it's probably got to be British, unless he also reads another European language. I know of one American publication, "The Joy of Being a Boy" by Elizabeth Noble, but its out of print and there were limited quantities. If you can find one that would be ideal for him I think.

Please feel free to ask any more questions either of you have. We're happy to share our experiences.

[moonglowmama]

Thanks, Jwhispers. That link did help me understand clear enough to talk to my son better about what to expect. And I appreciated the fact that it was in no way pornographic.

I find myself wanting to cry for my dh, though. So much was lost when he was circumcised. The more I learn, the sadder it makes me feel. I remember the time when we were making the decision before my son was born and my dh's reaction to all that we learned made him so angry it was done to him, and I can understand that more clearly now.

If only I could somehow have more impact on those around me. Parents just don't want to really think about it, it seems.

[Dave2GA]

Linda Madaras' book "The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys" has a great chapter on the normal penis. It is aimed at 8 years old and up.

Generally the foreskin sort of doubles back on itself and bunches behind the glans (the round end). You generally have to pull it back into place after retracting. If it is left behind the glans too long lymphatic fluid can build up and make it difficult to pull back over the glans. This is called paraphimosis and is a medical emergency, since if it is not reduced the glans can be strangled. Generally this is not a problem unless the foreskin is left back for hours. And I feel certain that some men have such wide foreskin openings that this is not a problem for them. It is more a problem for younger boys, but can be a problem even for old men.

Hope this helps. If you need more info then PM me.