[ ARC forum 2 ]

Re: Question about 5 year old son

Written by Roxane at 11 Apr 2000 00:39:03:

As an answer to: Question about 5 year old son written by Lisa (mother) at 19 Mar 2000 04:37:10:

Hi Lisa,
When my son was about three, my family doctor sent me to a pediatric surgeon because my son's foreskin would not retract. The surgeon told me that if it didn't retract by the time he was 6, I should have him circ'd.
I didn't care for that answer, so I contacted NOCIRC and searched the web.
When my son was about 6, I found a doctor who was familiar with topical steroid treatment for a tight foreskin.
We were prescribed Kenalog .1%. It loosened the foreskin and allowed retraction
within 2 weeks time, but without constant and continued retraction, the foreskin tightened again.
We have opted to wait and use the cream again when he is older and more inclined to be retracting his foreskin regularly.
My husband's foreskin was also very tight and did not retract until he was 13.
This is one of the reasons why we have taken such a conservative approach.
Whatever you decide, do not let anybody try to push his foreskin back.
This can cause scarring which can tighten the foreskin even more.
Hope this answers some of your questions
Roxane

>Today my 5 year old son had his first erection (or atleast the first one that I have heard about) and he said that it hurt. When I looked it was not erect and he said that it did not hurt anymore. I asked him to try and pull back his foreskin and it did not pull back. At what age should the foreskin be retractable? Should I take him to see a doctor about this problem?