foreskin won't retract, is this normal?

[olliemi2005]

I feel really wierd asking this but, I don't know where else to get lots of info on "the full spectrum of normal" on this issue.

My son is nearly 5 and he says it hurts if he tries to retract his foreskin. His little penis has never seen the light of day! He says it hurts if he tries to "let it peek out".

do we need to see a urologist? get him to practice?

[Night_Nurse]

It's normal. All boys retract at different times. Some as early as infancy/toddlerhood, some not until teens or young adult. No need to see a urologist.

[chaoticzenmom]

It's normal. My almost 5 year old is only almost retractable. My 10yo just became retractible (he mentioned it and probably wishes he hadn't) My FIL said that he wasn't retractable until 10 and my husband wasn't until 8. It varies.

The U.S. is just now catching on that it's something that happens in it's own time and needs to be left alone. Other countries have known this forever. We're still getting advice from older doctors that it needs to happen at at 1yr old or the child needs circ'd. I got that advice at my son's 1yr appt and luckily, I have a french husband and FIL to reassure me.

[chaoticzenmom]

Also, if your son has been wearing lots of jogging pants or very loose pants, he may be tugging on it or twisting it. That's what one of my sons did and he kept saying it hurt when he peed. Once I figured it out, I put him in jeans for awhile and the problem went away.

[PuppyFluffer]

In infancy and childhood, the function of the penis is to allow the passage of urine. Retraction comes along later is considered a function of sexual use. The average age of retraction is about 9-10 according to the latest statistic I saw on it. (Sorry, don't have a source at my finger tips).
I'd be wary of the medical community which often erroneously thinks that retraction needs to happen at the age of 3 or invasive measures need to be taken. Any forced retraction will cause harm and is completely unnecessary.

[olliemi2005]

Thanks so much.

He has no pain, no problems.

He "leaves it be" and prefers not to mess with it. He is not a grabby adjuster kind of kid. I know in my gut that he knows what feels right for his body. When he was little his explorations of himself were and still are so limited I was surprised. I thought all dudes had a huge penis fascination and love of grabbing and adjusting. - which I thought might hasten seperation. who knows. I am sure there is plenty of time for him to be obsessed with his penis. yikes!

Our old pediatrician said we should retract it and clean it- which I have NEVER done.

I was afraid to ask another American MD about normal intact penis stuff.

Glad I asked here first.