urologist recommending circumcision for my 4.5 year old :( - Page 2

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

He has had a few instances where his penis has become slightly swollen and red/inflamed, usually with some discharge, but I was under the impression this is normal for an intact boy and nothing to worry about. It always cleared up on its own within a few days.

Yes this can be totally normal for some boys and since it cleared up on its own within a few days it obviously didnt need any treatment from a Dr. As the separation process moves along the foreskin releases slowly from the glans this can cause area's of irritation and smegma, discharge to show up for a few days.

I am not in any way saying that Dr's are not needed they are in some cases but in this one the last referral was for the fact that he isnt retracting not the fact he has had irritations in the past. Because this referral is for not retracting he dosnt need to be seen because at his age that is a normal thing.

If he where to have another episode of irritation I would say give it a day or 2 and if it dosnt clear up like it did the first times then you need to take him in for a culture.

Here is a thread about what you might see during the separation process http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=764732 it explains the difference between what is normal and what is cause for concern.

[littlest birds]

The OP was really clear that the urologist considered the problem to be non-retraction. Since the problem of non-retraction does not exist in children, there is nothing to pursue. 

If, however, the mom and/or urologist had decided that the problem was the irritation, then our ability to give sound advice would be different due to the normal limitations of lay health advice received on an internet forum.

(I hope that there have not been repeated attempts to retract this little boy already) 

[2xy]

Originally Posted by lwills01 

He said the scar tissue would always prevent the foreskin from retracting completely, and that although we didn't have to do anything now, surgery to remove the foreskin was his recommendation.

The urologist also said the bolded part above.

There's no reason to get a second opinion at this age. If he's still not retracting when he's 15, worry about it then.

[greenmama66]

As the mother of 2 intact son's and another one on the way I will say it's entirely normal at that age. And my intact husband told me his couldn't be retracted until puberty.

[PeterJ]

I think we're getting stuck on the fact that the referral was made because of perceived non-retractibility, which of course I absolutely agree is not a good reason for referral at 4 years and makes the child a totally inappropriate candidate for circumcision, and based on this non-symptom alone I agree that a second opinion is not necessary.  However, there were other symptoms, including possible recurring infection and the white ring scar tissue.  The white ring in particular was a concern for the OP, having arrived at this conclusion after researching.  Again, not having first hand knowledge of the specifics in this case, it is not appropriate to encourage the OP not to seek a good educated medical second opinion.  If the child is one of the 2% who has true phimosis that would respond to non-invasive treatment, save him discomfort and pain later on, and ultimately possibly save the foreskin itself, isn't this enough to warrant further investigation by the parent?

[pennnyforum]

I'm sure all the good advice you've been given is correct but there are instances where circumcision is the best and final option. My son suffered for far too long with pain on urination, steroid creams and stretching attempts, infections and antibiotic courses. I had a foreskin friendly doctor who tried everything before she reluctantly suggesting circumcision. He had the white scar tissue at the tip which you describe and it just became worse and spread with every infection. They did a full foreskin removal which went really well and my son has been fine and happy with it ever since. I'm sorry to post negative on this issue amongst all the good optimism but it is best to prepare yourself for the possibility. I wish you well.

[CallMeMommy]

Originally Posted by pennnyforum 

I'm sure all the good advice you've been given is correct but there are instances where circumcision is the best and final option. My son suffered for far too long with pain on urination, steroid creams and stretching attempts, infections and antibiotic courses. I had a foreskin friendly doctor who tried everything before she reluctantly suggesting circumcision. He had the white scar tissue at the tip which you describe and it just became worse and spread with every infection. They did a full foreskin removal which went really well and my son has been fine and happy with it ever since. I'm sorry to post negative on this issue amongst all the good optimism but it is best to prepare yourself for the possibility. I wish you well.

How old was your son when this all happened?

[mmhinton]

to the OP - I would just like to add - not necessarily directly related to circ - TRUST YOUR MOMMY INSTINCTS!!! If  YOU  think there is a problem (and you have made an effort to educate yourself on the symptoms), there probably is! If YOU don't like / don't trust the doctor (specialist or not), then FIND a NEW ONE! Again, this is not directly re: circ, but in your particular case - do YOU honestly feel as though there is a problem / concern with your ds's penis? Do YOU question his "symptoms"? If so, find a second doctor to get a second opinion! If your gut instinct is telling you that his symptoms are normal and the info you've researched concurs, then likely all is well....it will be something, though, that you will likely keep and eye on! :)