Diabetic considering circumcision

[Jackr117]

Hi my names jack and I've been type 1 diabetic for over 3 years now, and for about 2 years I've had this problem with my foreskin. Since my blood sugar levels have been off my foreskin has pretty much been tight(almost like thrush) and I know it isn't any sort of std or sti because I haven't been sexual at all, I'm 17 and I've been considering circumcision for a while but I'm scared it'll just hurt and be awkward. I used to be able to retract my foreskin ever since I was about 14 but only a few months later I was diagnosed. I know I could get my levels down and it should go away but it's getting really annoying, is circumcision the right choice? Is it worth it? Please help me, I don't know how to tell my parents about things like that. Any help would be amazing, thanks :3

[Just JT]

Well I'm not so sure I can answer all your questions as I was cut when I was born
But, what I will say is the best advise your probably going to get from anyone is your doctor
I know there are creams and medications you can get to help with this so you might wana talk with him ok?
And I really would t be embarSsed about talking to your rents about it, they love you and I'm sure they want to know what's bothering you

[TheLotus]

Like said above, if this is something you are thinking of doing, talk to someone about it first, and not just someone on here. Your parents/doctor should be able to help you in some way or another so it's best to consult them

[NZPerson]

Consider there may be no correlation between diabetes and a tight foreskin because phimosis can come in puberty rather than before so it could be totally coincidental but its definatly something you must consider with your dr.

[Salad_Baby]

I'm not sure that there is a link between the diabetes and the foreskin, seeing as diabetes concerns how the pancreas doesn't produce insulin in order to control blood sugar levels - but what do I know. Anyway, I had a friend who had their foreskin removed because it was too tight around a year ago - they simply talked to their parents about it and had simple surgery done to remove it. They didn't come into school for like 2 weeks, and had to apply creams to ensure that friction didn't cause pain. But apart from those preliminary issues, he hasn't been happier. If it is causing you real problems, I'd say go for it.

[Brieftime]

I'd talk to your doctor.

[Hermes]

How did you reach the conclusion that your tight foreskin is caused by poor control of your diabetes? Unless that is the opinion you have received from a doctor I would be suspicious of it. Even if there was a a link it would be better to treat the cause rather than the symptom, i.e. get your sugar levels under control.

On the diabetes, there are other serious, long-term degenerative effects from poor control of diabetes so you should get your sugar levels under control anyway. Do some reading, see your doctor, whatever is required to get on top of it.

On the foreskin, if you could pull it back at 14 but not now perhaps it is just that the girth of your penis has increased (penises generally grow in length first and then the girth catches up) and maybe some stretching will do the trick. Essentially you need to repeatedly pull the skin so the point it is tight, even slightly uncomfortable, but not so far it is definitely painful. You could combine that with masturbation, i.e. make sure you pull the skin back to that point on each stroke then it won't see like a chore.

if that doesn't work alone the next step would be to try some steroid cream, with the stretching exercises. Depending where you live this maybe available over the counter or you may need to see the doctor to get a prescription. Surgery should be a last resort.

[Rain Boy]

Please see your doctor. Diabetes can lead to balanitis (a foreskin problem). From what you describe, perhaps that is the issue.

[Second Chance]

Hi my names jack and I've been type 1 diabetic for over 3 years now, and for about 2 years I've had this problem with my foreskin. Since my blood sugar levels have been off my foreskin has pretty much been tight(almost like thrush) and I know it isn't any sort of std or sti because I haven't been sexual at all, I'm 17 and I've been considering circumcision for a while but I'm scared it'll just hurt and be awkward. I used to be able to retract my foreskin ever since I was about 14 but only a few months later I was diagnosed. I know I could get my levels down and it should go away but it's getting really annoying, is circumcision the right choice? Is it worth it? Please help me, I don't know how to tell my parents about things like that. Any help would be amazing, thanks :3

I agree with the others about the doubt whether there is a correlation between diabetes and foreskin issues, but it is something worth talking about to your doctor.

I would say that if you are really having a hard time pulling your foreskin back and cannot keep the area around there clean, then getting a circumcision is the way to go. It will not be comfortable when you have a circumcision, but based upon what other folks on here who have had a circumcision when they were teens it is not going to kill you. You will have some discomfort for the first couple of weeks, but then you'll gradually be all right. It seems like you are having troubles right now down there especially keeping your penis clean, and this might be your best option assuming that you have tried other non-surgical procedures such as the steroidal cream that urologists prescribe to loosen foreskins. Before getting cut I would try some non-surgical alternatives, and circumcision should be the last resort.

The way you would bring this up with your parents is to be open and honest with them. Just say that you are having trouble retracting your foreskin, and they will help you out from there. Plenty of guys have trouble with their foreskins, and your situation is hardly unusual.

I agree with the others that your real goal should be to get your diabetes under control. If your blood sugar is all over the map and you cannot control it, then you have bigger problems than your foreskin. I would suggest you talk with your doctor and a dietician and figure out how to control your blood sugar and your diet so that you will not get into trouble. You might need to do a bunch of things like eating right, taking your medication on time, and staying active so that you do not become out of shape. If what you are saying is correct about your diabetes, then perhaps if you can get your diabetes under control, then your penis problems might get resolved, too.

[Bluebyrd]

You don't have to get circumcised. Go to your doctor and see what he says because there are plenty of alternatives.