Doctor checking private parts of teen

amother

↑ Stone ↓

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 9:28 pm

amother Garnet wrote:

Why does it matter when he's 9??
Never heard of a Dr checking private parts

Because the earlier it’s fixed the more of a chance you can correct it and fix it.

↑ momomany ↓

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 9:40 pm

amother Garnet wrote:

Why does it matter when he's 9??
Never heard of a Dr checking private parts

because the testes need to be hanging outside where its a little cooler then inner body temperature in order for them to mature properly. if they are high up inside, they are too warm to properly develop and be able to function for optimal sperm production in adulthood

amother

Bluebell

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 9:41 pm

amother Stone wrote:

Because the earlier it’s fixed the more of a chance you can correct it and fix it.

One of my boys had it done just before his first birthday. Is it not typical that it was found so early? I thought it was actually more common in younger boys, like closer to toddlerhood.

amother

Rainbow ↓

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 9:46 pm

amother Bluebell wrote:

One of my boys had it done just before his first birthday. Is it not typical that it was found so early? I thought it was actually more common in younger boys, like closer to toddlerhood.

It's very common and can happen at any time. The surgeon who closed my son's told me he did a double operation on a premie.

amother

Geranium

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 9:48 pm

As a general rule, yearly physicals are designed to catch correctable issues as early as possible. Too many families use shortcuts to get school and camp medical forms and can miss major issues such as the ones mentioned above, scoliosis, hernias, etc.

Height, weight, bloodwork.. none of this is done without purpose. Unfortunately doctors are rushed and don’t always take the time to educate new moms. You may want to find a book on the general topic. “Dr. Mom” is one such book I enjoyed as is a book written by Dr. Susan Schulman. I am sorry but the title escapes me.

amother

Tealblue

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 10:04 pm

amother Garnet wrote:

Why does it matter when he's 9??
Never heard of a Dr checking private parts

Did you ever take a baby to the pediatrician? Standard procedure. Check privates. Just like head ears throat stomach. Theres important body parts down there

amother

DarkKhaki ↓

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 10:29 pm

I come from a family of all girls and have only female children, so forgive me if this is an ignorant question: The regular doctor does checks of the private area for boys, not some sort of specialist? Girls have gynecologists. I've never heard of a girl's privates being checked by a primary doctor.

amother

Teal ↓

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 10:39 pm

amother OP wrote:

Thanks for all the responses. This was really helpful. I had no idea.

Why didn't you ask the doctor what the purpose of this check is?

amother

DarkMagenta

Wed, Oct 09 2024, 10:48 pm

amother DarkKhaki wrote:

My pediatrician takes a peek at my girls private area just to confirm that it's developing. But it requires less invasiveness than if they have to confirm if the t@stes are in the right place. I've had boys whose b@lls aren't obviously out enough and there were concerns about them being missing and/or stuck. And that could potentially cause fertility issues later on in life. It's not an uncommon concern that might require a referral to a urologist (and I've taken a little boy or two to a pediatric urologist).

amother

↑ Brass

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 12:03 am

amother DarkMagenta wrote:

When my child was very young (about 2, in a diaper still) I remember asking the Dr why he's checking over there. I had forgotten what he said (but trusted him).

I actually don't remember my 3 year old getting this checked out at his last yearly well visit. But this sounds like an important exam and I wonder if I shoukd schedule an apt to have it examined, just to be sure...

amother

Gray ↓

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 12:23 am

Any pediatrician who does a yearly well visit on a child and does not check their private area is negligent.
I worked in pediatrics for years.
They need to check that your child is maturing and developing properly.
For boys in particular, as others have explained, they need to check for testicular placement, varicoceles and hernias.
Super important.
My kids know the only people allowed to check your private parts are your parents and their doctor.

amother

Maple ↓

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 2:04 am

Our pediatrician explained to the boys what he was looking for and said he only has to check a teenager once. At the other yearly exams he didn't look at all. I used that opportunity (in the car on the way home) to tell my boys that if anything ever changes in that area they need to run not walk to the hospital. Found that out the hard way...

amother

Ebony

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 5:09 am

amother Maple wrote:

I used that opportunity (in the car on the way home) to tell my boys that if anything ever changes in that area they need to run not walk to the hospital. Found that out the hard way...

Can you explain? What does that mean? What would change?

amother

↑ Maple ↓

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 5:52 am

amother Ebony wrote:

Can you explain? What does that mean? What would change?

If the sac is larger than usual, tender or painful it is a medical emergency. I don't know why this is not taught to the boys in Yeshiva or at the very least in Chosson classes.

amother

Celeste

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 6:03 am

My Dr always peaked in my underwear it made me very uncomfortable like what are you looking for?she didn't see my vgna, just pubic hair top

amother

↑ Garnet ↓

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 6:48 am

amother Stone wrote:

Because the earlier it’s fixed the more of a chance you can correct it and fix it.

I hear but how do you know he's not abusing him
Definitely don't leave the room
And why isn't it abuse if the child doesn't consent (not that they can consent)
I don't have boys yet, the girls were never checked

amother

Burntblack ↓

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 7:23 am

amother Maple wrote:

My paediatrician whom I trust very much, only checks the boys' private parts up to around age 6/7 at the yearly check up. Girls, only when they're babies. I cannot understand why a girl needs to be checked down there. if she wouldn't be developing there would be other very obvious signs. To me it seems the American yearly check up, compared to Europe, is very violating.

amother

Catmint

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 7:40 am

amother Beige wrote:

It's very important, so the doctor knows how far along he is in puberty. It's also important to check for possible anomalies. That said, ultimately your son does have the right to refuse. But you should at least make sure the doctor explains why it's an important part of the examination. My son hates it too by the way. But he agrees to it in exchange for a slurpee afterwards. It takes less than 30 seconds and only happens once a year.

every year? that's not normal.

amother

↑ Stone ↓

Thu, Oct 10 2024, 7:47 am

amother Garnet wrote:

Huh it’s a 2 second check. It’s not what abuse is. Same way if a kid fights anything else they must do for basic health. But hopefully the doctor patiently explains and gets the kid to cooperate. It’s on you to pick one with a good bedside manner.