Is it normal to have this much extra skin down there?

[lilikoi]

You're not alone in this! I had a partner who had to get help from a doctor to pull their foreskin back when they were around your age. They learned from their doctor that they needed to clean underneath the foreskin. So it's great that you know now! Give the shower a try and, if there is pain, like Heather said, don't go any further until you can get help from a doctor.

[mikki]

Ahh thats nice to know someone else went through it, was it also bc his foreskin was really long? How did he manage to pull it back eventually?

[mikki]

Tysm everyone for the support and advice btw, its really helping

[lilikoi]

The length of foreskin doesn't change much. The difference comes from knowing to pull back and doing it consistently. Without knowing that, the build-up increases. My partner was your age at a check up and the doctor noticed that their foreskin was not easy to move. I don't know the specifics beyond that but hopefully that reassures you that doctors will be supportive if you notice it's hard to clean on your own. Definitely try in the shower next time you're cleaning. Take your time, be gentle, and see if you can get any movement in your foreskin without pain.

[mikki]

Hii so iv been trying to pull the skin down whenever im in the shower but havent really been able to do it? I can move the skin around easily but i feel like the bit of skin at the tip around the hole is just too narrow to go over the head. It hurts a little but its not too bad but im scared bc it feels like im stretching the skin too much? Idk if i should stop or try harder

[Heather]

Again, I'm going to suggest that you check in with a doctor instead of doing anything more that causes you pain.

[mikki]

Ok so i recently got to see a doctor about this, and they said bc i have too much skin i need to go for an operation to cut the extra skin off? I dont totally understand why and it sounds really scary to me

[Becky]

Hi mikki!

I can understand why that sounds scary! Did the doctor say *why* you need to have the extra skin removed and did they explain the process of the surgery to you?

[mikki]

I think he said it was bc it hurts for me to pull the skin down and its trapping a lot of pee and dirt? I have no idea about what the operation is, it sounds like circumcision?

[Becky]

I think it's definitely worth seeing if you can get some more information from your doctor. Knowing things like: are they removing all of the foreskin or just some? Will you be under anesthesia or will they use local anesthesia? What will the healing process look like?

Having more knowledge about the situation will make it feel less scary and you can make a more informed decision.

You can also ask if there are other options available to you besides surgery and even get a second opinion from another doctor.

[mikki]

Oh ok. They gave me a referral letter to another place where they will do the operation? I can try to ask there ig, but idek how to tell my parents about the letter. Are there surgeries that just remove the extra skin? That actually sounds like a good thing

[Latha]

Hi there, Mikki

You could open this conversation by telling them that you want to talk about the appointment you had with this doctor, and the advice they gave you. The, you could show them the letter, allow them to read it, and and share with them that doctor advised surgery to because it hurts to move your foreskin down, and because the area is difficult to clean. You should also tell them that you are not very sure about the specifics of why the surgery is necessary, and what the procedure will be like. They can help you advocate for yourself with the doctor, and they will have to help with the financial and logistical aspects of getting this procedure.

Does that help you? If you told them this, how do you think they would respond?

I believe it is possible to remove the extra skin alone--however, I am not a doctor and cannot say for sure. This is a good question to ask your doctor, or the doctor at the hospital you were referred to during your consultation.