Aa
4 year old son has a penile adhesion--advice?
My 4 year old son had a completely unremarkable circumcision. We have never ever missed a checkup, and has always gotten an "all clear" at each dr. Appt. I'm a little frustrated that my pediatrician missed this--he had a large fat pad after he was born, partially due to hydrocele. Well the hydrocele cleared up, and we didn't have to do surgery. However, now my son has a penile adhesion, I would say about 40% of the glans is attached from the adhesion. I was referred to a pediatric urologist, and they (of course) want to do surgery. I'm noticing, though that the more I research, the more some folks don't recommend the surgery, and that it will "clear up" on it's own. Does anyone have any experience with this? We've tried retracting it on our own, but with no luck. Help!
I am an uncircumcised male who never had any medical problem with my penis. Parents should allow their sons to make their own circumcision decisions when they reach adulthood. If you had a female child, would you circumcise her clitoris? If you believe that you are not getting the best medical advice from your current son's doctors, then contact the local medical bureau or ask the local pharmacist who are the best pediatric urologists in your area and make an appointment to have your son evaluated. Good Luck.
Out of personal experience I'd say get it removed now. I'm a 29 year old male that had an adhesion like that. I'm not sure when I developed it but, throughout most of my childhood and teens I didn't even know it was abnormal. I found out how abnormal it was through my first few sexual encounters. Very embarrassing to say the least. But whatever I didn't want some dude cutting my wang with a knife. About six months back from now I developed an infection and some scar tissue started to form under the adhesion. It was noticeable and rather disturbing. What was worse is that it didn't go away. This, of course lead to fears like penile cancer and other scary things like that. So this lead to some significant anxiety issues. It pretty much distracted me from everything.
Eventually I convinced myself to see a GP. So I went through all that, got a bunch of STD tests, which of course came up negative. He thought it might be a clogged pore or something and recommended I take 20 minute baths a day. I didn't think he really knew what he was talking about so I set up an appointment to see a urologist. More waiting between this time... more anxiety..
Finally I meet with the urologist and he said I have a localized infection and scar tissue that needs to be surgically removed. Great. So we set up a date in the future and that's when I'd go in. Then we had to wrangle with my insurance company because they seemed somewhat reluctant to cover it. Be we eventually got it approved. Lots of frustration and even more anxiety over this.
So, the other day, I finally went in and had it done. To be honest, it was nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. They hospital staff were all very friendly and professional - which really helped. They used General anesthetic. Ended up with about 12 stitches. I guess they dissolve on their own.
Recovery should take about 2 weeks or so. It's not so bad. I'm not really in much pain. Little discomfort when moving around, but tolerable.
So anyway - long story short, don't make your son go through with all this stuff when he's older. Get it done.
Eventually I convinced myself to see a GP. So I went through all that, got a bunch of STD tests, which of course came up negative. He thought it might be a clogged pore or something and recommended I take 20 minute baths a day. I didn't think he really knew what he was talking about so I set up an appointment to see a urologist. More waiting between this time... more anxiety..
Finally I meet with the urologist and he said I have a localized infection and scar tissue that needs to be surgically removed. Great. So we set up a date in the future and that's when I'd go in. Then we had to wrangle with my insurance company because they seemed somewhat reluctant to cover it. Be we eventually got it approved. Lots of frustration and even more anxiety over this.
So, the other day, I finally went in and had it done. To be honest, it was nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. They hospital staff were all very friendly and professional - which really helped. They used General anesthetic. Ended up with about 12 stitches. I guess they dissolve on their own.
Recovery should take about 2 weeks or so. It's not so bad. I'm not really in much pain. Little discomfort when moving around, but tolerable.
So anyway - long story short, don't make your son go through with all this stuff when he's older. Get it done.
Circumcision causes many more problems then what it solves.
Most males around the ages of newborn to 6 years old cannot or not completely retract the foreskin. This is normal and in some males it can take up to their teens befre the foreskin can be retracted completely past the corona of the glans.
One should consider circumcision for males 6 and older who can not retract the foreskin, not even part ways and who have not birth defects to the penis.
If only part of the foreskin is removed and there is now separation of the skin from the glans, then this poses a problem. A circumsision surgery might than be needed to solve this problem.
It is better to leave your sons intact and only treat possible problem requiring circumcision should they be presented at a later age. The skill of the doctor also plays a major role in the outcome of circumcision.
All the best,
Ron
Most males around the ages of newborn to 6 years old cannot or not completely retract the foreskin. This is normal and in some males it can take up to their teens befre the foreskin can be retracted completely past the corona of the glans.
One should consider circumcision for males 6 and older who can not retract the foreskin, not even part ways and who have not birth defects to the penis.
If only part of the foreskin is removed and there is now separation of the skin from the glans, then this poses a problem. A circumsision surgery might than be needed to solve this problem.
It is better to leave your sons intact and only treat possible problem requiring circumcision should they be presented at a later age. The skill of the doctor also plays a major role in the outcome of circumcision.
All the best,
Ron
My son has the same problem and has had the adhesions since he was 18 months old. I kept telling the doctor that it wasn't right, but they kept saying he would grow out of it and we should just keep the area clean and apply vaseline. Now he is four and they are saying I need to go to a urologist. I'm so frustrated, and I would really like to know what the options are for this problem because I don't want him to have surgery if it is unnecessary.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Urology Community
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia provides insight to the most commonly asked question about the transfer of HIV between partners.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
