[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by jerrydjerryd at 15 Feb 2004 09:43:36: Re: phimosis vs. adhesions in my 12-yr-old son
As an answer to: phimosis vs. adhesions in my 12-yr-old son written by Adelina at 15 Feb 2004 08:09:49:
>Recently my son (just turned 12 years old) was referred to a urologist because his foreskin will not pull back very far. The urologist said this was due to adhesions that had not unattached themselves on their own (as they normally do). Is this the same as "phimosis" (tight foreskin) or not?
>The urologist suggested that my son gradually stretch his foreskin back daily until the adhesions loosen and unattach. OR, the urologist said he could do this for my son all at once in the office, but that this would be much more painful. OR, the urologist said a final option is circumcision. . . .
>We decided that my son would try stretching it himself. However, my son has found this to be VERY painful so he decided he'd rather have the doctor do it and get it over with all at once. But I'm not sure that's such a great idea. I told him that he shouldn't be stretching it so far that it hurts alot---that he's trying to stretch it too far too fast. But he said, no, that he's simply stretching it as far as the doctor had in the office. But it seems to me he should stretch it only until it just starts to be painful---that it shouldn't be REALLY painful. Am I correct?
>ALSO, I've done some reading which indicates it's less painful and as effective (if not more so) to stretch the foresking FORWARD rather than back. Is this a good idea?
>I've also read about the use of betamethason 0.05% cream. Should my son give this a try?
>My husband is circumcised so we have no direct experience with this. For instance, should the foreskin automatically retract itself when the penis is erect? My son's does not. . . I'm anxious to do what's best for my son with the least amount of pain. I really don't want to have him circumcised. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated . . .I would recommend a "go much slower" approach on your son's very normal foreskin. Some boys do not experience full seperation of the foreskin from the glans until they are 18-20. Phimosis is a narrowing of the foreskin that will not permit the foreskin to be retacted over the glans and is also called tight foreskin, which is also no reason for concern at his age. Normal adhesions break down over time, and no two boys are alike. Betamethason 0.05% cream is reportedly effective with some and is well worth a try, but in a few years. As for your son trying to retract it, I think this is simply trying to defy nature. His adhesions are very normal for him and there is no need for him to frustrate himself. The doctor offering to force his foreskin back should be tarred and feathered! My foreskin was forced back by my pediatrician when I was four years old and I remember that pain as it it happened one second ago. PAIN is a mild term for it! It hurt like hell, and there isn't a medically justifiable reason to repeat what I experienced. My mother obsessed about my penis because my foreskin was not retractable at four years old. Please don't follow the same course my mother took. Explain what you now know to your son, appologize for the unnecessary concern and back off. Your husband being circumcised has little to do with doing what is right. My father was intact and he wasn't any help in preventing my forced retraction. Read more about foreskins and circumcision. There is a lot of very good advice and information out there. My son is 13 years old and still has about 10% of his foreskin attached to his glans. He knows he can expect his adhesions to let go at some future date, and most importantly, he knows he is completely normal. The circumcision advice is also quack advice. I'd suggest you keep your son's penis away from those doctors. Some foreskins retract completely with erections and some don't retract at all. Foreskins come in all lengths and, logically speaking, your son's foreskin cannot be expected to retract automatically with an erection because it cannot retract when manual retractions are attempted.