Average age of retractability?

[Anonymous]

Single mom to a 10 year old son. I chose to leave him intact and he has never had an issue. Now his pediatrician is saying she thinks he may need to be circumcised since he can not retract yet. Should I get a second opinion?

Updates

1 y

Thank you for the feedback. I am going to look for another doctor that knows more about intact care. My son knows that he should be able to retract at some point but for now it is not causing him any problems and I dont want to permanently marker alter his body prematurely.

[Screenwriter]

Average age appears to be 10.4 years, but some don't retract until they're teens. Get a second opinion and go from there.

Unless your son has a foreskin that is too tight and is causing pain and constriction, I don't see this as an issue. It happened to my poor friend's son at age 8! He HAD to have a circumcision! Ow.

If this is not the case, get a second opinion from a urologist.

[Asker]

Thank you for the help. So far he is experiencing no pain. It just seems to still be fused to the head of his penis. Based on your comment and others I assume he is just not ready yet.

[Screenwriter]

But ask the doc to be sure. Doc can see stuff that you as a non medical person might not realize. OR, doc could do a minor cut and free it now. That is another option.

[Anonymous]

It usually happens when puberty hits. If he's only 10 he doesn't need to retract yet

[Asker]

Thats what I thought but his doctor is telling us something different. I asked a few of my friends but their kids are all circumcised.

[Opinion Owner]

Some doctors in America are still uneducated about uncircumcised so dont trust them

[Andylakes96]

@Apple1996 - check your dms 🙂

[Asker]

That's why I'm asking here. Thank you.

[Quidthonian]

Retraction starts happening at puberty. It will be a process taking months if not years. it will gradually happen. You should encourage your son to try to retract to the point of light pain, hold it there for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat this exercise to loosen up the skin.
Mine loosened over years, from about 12 or so, but can't remember the exact dates.

I am open to DM's

[Asker]

Thank you this is helpful. Not sure how to send DMs on here but would love any additional info since I dont have a great support group around this topic.

[Quidthonian]

You are welcome. I have sent you a DM to start things off. Take note of the time difference as I'm in Europe.

[matchrestore]

My son is 7 and has retracted, but not regularly. That's at the early end of the norm for retraction. For most men it happens before or during the start of puberty.

[Asker]

Thank you. I don't think he has reached puberty yet so he still has time.

[melis765]

It usually happens when puberty hits. If he's only 10 he doesn't need to retract yet

[Asker]

Thank you for the reassurance.

[slatyb]

Absolutely you should get a second opinion before any surgery.

[Tellme]

I think you can trust the doctor, but it also won't hurt asking for a second opinion.
Being circumcised is very common, and it's nothing to be worried about.

[DishLady]

It's a common thing and better to do at much younger age. The doctor is probably concerned about puss collections and recurring infections.

[Abbycado]

How does a mother not know the answer and ask online strangers? Smh

[Asker]

How would I know? I'm a female and have no one in my life who I can ask. I'm just trying to do what's best for my son the best I know how. No need to hate.

[Arcadian222]

Take professional's opinion I think

[Asker]

Thank you. I trust her but hate to do something so drastic if not needed.

[jahaims]

You need a new doctor

[In_Trance]

Send him to a doctor and have the doctor show him

[Asker]

I think he knows how. He is just not able to yet.

[In_Trance]

If he knows how to do it he's able to do it.