AskDrSears Logo
homeabout searsbooksnewsletterfaqsresourcesnewsstorecontact us
what's newregular featurespediatric newsDoctor's Diaries


Search






 


FAQ's

"SHOULD WE TRY AND RETRACT OUR SON'S UNCIRCUMCISED PENIS?"
"Our son is uncircumcised. We have never forcibly tried to retract his foreskin for cleaning. Recently, at our two-year check-up, the doctor told us we SHOULD be retracting it. He even attempted to do so, but our child (wisely) would not cooperate. Should we have been forcibly retracting the foreskin all this time? Should we start doing so now? Are we supposed to be doing anything?"

Uncircumcised infants do not need any special care for their penis. I call it "the un-care of the intact penis". You should completely leave it alone. You should NOT forcibly retract it, EVER. And you should not allow anyone else to do so either. This causes considerable trauma, both physically and emotionally. Forcible retraction can lead to soreness and infection of the foreskin.

Why all the controversy? Rarely, an intact foreskin will remain tight and unretractable into adulthood. This can interfere with urination. If this occurs, it can be corrected with a minor surgical procedure. Years ago, doctors thought that we should therefore forcibly retract the penis during infancy so that this rare problem won't occur. If it was not retractable by a few years of age, it should be forcibly retracted. Now we know that the trauma of doing so far outweighs any benefits.

The pain and trauma just isn't worth it. Virtually all foreskins will loosen up and retract just by the child normally exploring this body part.

Dr. Bob

   
Home | About Sears | Books | Newsletter | FAQs | Resources | News | Store | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy    

AskDrSears.com is intended to help parents become better informed consumers of health care. The information presented in this site gives general advice on parenting and health care. Always consult your doctor for your individual needs.

© Copyright 2006 AskDrSears.com. All Rights Reserved.