Any deformity or change in the genitals is of obvious concern to parents. Yet many of these changes can be corrected. Follow this chart for more information.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
Step 2
Answering Questions
Does your son seem to have one or both testicles missing?
Does the urine seem to come from somewhere other than the tip of your son’s penis (e.g., the shaft), and does your son’s penis curve downward?
Is there still is a lot of skin surrounding the tip of your son’s penis even though your son has been circumcised?
Does it seem like your son’s foreskin is too tight to pull back?
Is it difficult to tell the sex of your infant at birth or shortly after?
Step 3
Possible Causes
Diagnosis
Your son may have an UNDESCENDED TESTICLE.
Self Care
You may be able to move a testicle down into the scrotum by gently pushing on the abdomen just above and to the side of the penis. If you feel the testicle move downward, this is normal and it should descend later in life. If you still don’t feel a testicle after doing this, see your child’s doctor.
Diagnosis
The urethra is a tube through which urine drains from the bladder. HYPOSPADIAS is a condition in which the opening of the urethra is located somewhere other than the tip of the penis (usually along the shaft).
Self Care
See your child’s doctor. HYPOSPADIAS may need to be surgically corrected.
Diagnosis
Your son may have had an INCOMPLETE CIRCUMCISION or it may be a normal amount of foreskin.
Self Care
Do not submerge your son’s penis in water until the initial scabs have fallen off after circumcision. During baths after that, carefully clean the foreskin on a regular basis with warm, soapy water. See your child’s doctor to check whether the surgery needs to be repeated.
Diagnosis
This condition is called PHIMOSIS.
Self Care
See your child’s doctor urgently, especially if he seems to be in significant pain when you are touching his penis.
Diagnosis
AMBIGUOUS GENITALIA is a birth condition in which the genitals are not well-formed and are difficult to identify the child’s gender.
Self Care
Your child’s doctor may perform some tests to identify the sex of your baby. Treatment may include hormone replacement or surgery.
Self Care
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
