Any need to "open" a foreskin?

[kissum]

My little one had his one year check up today. And it mostly went great, except-

is it normal for a doc to check to see how far a foreskin opens? I kind of freaked and said please don't retract him, and she immediately said she never would but I've never seen that done before. She clearly didn't retract him all the way, but she pulled down a bit and opened the hole. Normal or scary? We just moved, and I like this doctor, but I need to be able to trust her. Thanks.

[artekah]

That would freak me out too! I can't see how there's any reason for that, unless he's having trouble peeing or something.

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

Exactly what the previous poster said.  There is no need to do this unless the child is having trouble peeing.  Otherwise, hands off.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

It is something Dr's are taught to do but there is absolutely no reason for them to do it. The main reason being you dont have any idea of how far they are going to try to go and real damage can be done if they get to aggressive. It is much easier to just tell them from the start you dont want the forskin touched than it is to deal with a damaged one.

[amandaj0306]

there isnt and doctors will do it if you dont watch them carefully i know the doctor tried to at my oldest sons two year check up and acctually sent us to see a specialist because she couldnt retract him and he is almost 9 now and back then I didnt know any better but im so glad she didnt cause him any harm

[kissum]

I decided on a "hands off" policy. I like this doc, and she seems to mean well, so I'm just going to let her know I don't want her to touch anything down there unless there's a problem. It makes me too nervous.

[To-Fu]

Originally Posted by kissum 

I decided on a "hands off" policy. I like this doc, and she seems to mean well, so I'm just going to let her know I don't want her to touch anything down there unless there's a problem. It makes me too nervous.

Sounds like a good plan.  

[Frank Speaks]

Originally Posted by Kedrosami 

That would freak me out too! I can't see how there's any reason for that, unless he's having trouble peeing or something.

The problem is they are looking for something that doesn't exist.

One of the most common complications of circumcision is meatal stenosis affecting an estimated 9% to 31% of circumcised boys.  Meatal stenosis is a narrowing of the urinary opening.  The incidence of this in intact boys is near zero.  But, American doctors don't realize there is no need to check for it in intact boys and to check, they have to retract the foreskin to see the urinary meatus.  It is simply professional ignorance.  I suspect that most also don't realize that retracting can cause phimosis.  American medicine is supposedly the best in the world.  How can they be so wrong about this ? ? ?

Frank

[lexapurple]

There is no need to pull skin back to see how far it opens. If it is neccessary to open it, though, it should be puled forward over the glands to see the opening.

[mama24-7]

Originally Posted by lexapurple 

There is no need to pull skin back to see how far it opens. If it is neccessary to open it, though, it should be puled forward over the glands to see the opening.

I have a hard time picturing things...what do you mean by the bolded part?  

Thanks,

Sus

[Thyme Mama]

Originally Posted by mama24-7 

I have a hard time picturing things...what do you mean by the bolded part?  

Thanks,

Sus

Usually the foreskin hangs down over the penis and you can see the opening in the foreskin. There is typically a lot of "play" in the foreskin, so you can pull it down further over the penis to see the opening. Kind of flatten the end of the foreskin and gently pull a centimeter or two away from the body to see the opening.

My younger son (22 months) has more foreskin hanging down that my older son (4 years). It's a lot easier to see the opening in the younger one than the older.