Need Help - Friend was told 4 yr old may need circ

[apple_juice]

Hi,

I have a friend whoseson got an infection of his foreskin. Dr.told her he is generally opposed to RIC but her son may need to be circed because his foreskin is too tight and he should be retractible. I told her the info I know but I am way more educated and eloquent when it comes to birth.

I was wondering if you guys could provide me with direct links about retraction in young boys and info about how to keep her son healthy without circing.

She initaly was going to circ him at birth but the Dr. talked her out of it because he is anti RIC for non religious purposes.

Anyway. I would love the resources because I know she won't just believe the information straight from me.

Thanks in advance

ETA

She may have been retracting him as much as she could since birth because my son was retracted when he was at her place

[glongley]

It is normal for a four year old to be non-retractable. The average age at full retractability is about age 10. You can read more about the evidence on this at:
http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/
[http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcisi...kinleaflet.pdf

Also, "infections" aren't always true infections. The foreskin can get red, irritated, or swollen for various reasons (just like others parts of the genitals, in both boys and girls). Diaper irritation; other chemical irritation like soap, detergent, chlorine (pools and jacuzzis); transitory inflammation, itching, or soreness with progression of separation of the foreskin from the glans. Yeast infection can occur if the boy has had antibiotics, and responds well to yeast medication or topical application of acidophilus liquid. And yes, forcible retraction can lead to problems with the foreskin due to entry of foreign material, and micro-tearing of the tight outlet.

Have her read the two articles above plus this one from foreskin-friendly pediatrician Paul Fleiss about all the reasons why a doctor might say an intact boy "needs" to be circumcised, and why it's hardly ever true.
http://www.mothering.com/protect-you...advice-parents

I would just leave his foreskin alone and give him time to develop on his own.

Gillian

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by apple_juice

Hi,

I have a friend whoseson got an infection of his foreskin. Dr.told her he is generally opposed to RIC but her son may need to be circed because his foreskin is too tight and he should be retractible. I told her the info I know but I am way more educated and eloquent when it comes to birth.

I was wondering if you guys could provide me with direct links about retraction in young boys and info about how to keep her son healthy without circing.

She initaly was going to circ him at birth but the Dr. talked her out of it because he is anti RIC for non religious purposes.

Anyway. I would love the resources because I know she won't just believe the information straight from me.

Thanks in advance

ETA

She may have been retracting him as much as she could since birth because my son was retracted when he was at her place

start here: http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/
and here: http://www.cirp.org/library/hygiene/

the important thing that she needs to know is that she shouldn't be retracting him and retraction may not occur untill later in life.

[apple_juice]

Thanks for the links.

Glongley two ofyourlinkswerebroken butI was still able to findthe info just thoughtI would give you a heads up.

I passed the linkson and she thankedmeforthem.I really believe she doesnotwant to have her son circed. I hope the information you helped me arm her with will empower her to stand up to an ill informed Dr.

[Seie]

Please do update us when you know how this ends. You are a good friend for helping prevent unnecessary circumcision.

[hakunangovi]

Good for you for helping to protect that little boy. As others have pointed out, and supplied links, most foreskins do not become retractable until much later, and should not be retracted in childhood. Now, assuming that he really does have an infection, antibiotics work much better than amputation. Think about it - what other part of the body would anyone consider whacking off just because it got infected?
I hope your friend takes you seriously and listens to you.

[Yulia_R]

Good chance that this doctor actually CAUSED the problem by "checking" of the foreskin was retractable. NO RETRACTION of any kind is ok (the only person to ever mess with the foreskin is the boy himself).

Only 50% of the boys are retractable by the age of 10 (TOTALLY NORMAL).

As long as the boy can pee, he is 100% FINE. Balooning is normal (in case he baloons).

[MommytoB]

why did aap take that do not worry about retraction out . I keep on hearing about kids getting unnecessary circ'ed all under 5 for medical misdiagnoses it saddens me

[Nandi]

Doctors still have it in their heads that kids should be retractible by age 5. This was based on incorrect info from the 1950's. Unless he's completely done with puberty, he may not be retractible and has no need to be anyway. The doctor can start with prescribing steroid cream when he is 18+ and still feels it is a problem.
http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/

[tutucrazy]

Please read this and print all the links:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...893&highlight=

[Ron_Low]

Originally Posted by apple_juice

her son may need to be circed because his foreskin is too tight

And amputating some of his skin will make the surviving skin less tight? Insanity.

Originally Posted by apple_juice

he should be retractible.

Says who? It's simply not true. Leave it alone. ICGI.org did a piece on this recently.