Male circumcision consists of the surgical removal of the foreskin — a movable fold of skin that covers the head of the penis. Why is it done? The procedure may be necessary for medical reasons or performed in accordance with religious and cultural traditions.
Medical reasons
Circumcision is sometimes considered a possible treatment for the following pathological conditions: phimosis, paraphimosis; recurrent balanitis, lichen sclerosus (balanitis xerotica obliterans); penile cancer. In most cases, circumcision is recommended only after unsuccessful attempts to use other, less invasive and less risky treatment methods.
Mild cases of phimosis may be treated with topical steroids to soften the skin and facilitate retraction of the foreskin. In severe cases of paraphimosis, a local anesthetic gel may be applied to the penis, and a small incision in the foreskin can help relieve pressure.
Balanitis and balanitis xerotica obliterans can sometimes be treated with ointments, gels, or creams based on corticosteroids, as well as antibacterial or antifungal creams.
The foreskin in boys
It is completely normal that during the first years of life a child’s foreskin does not retract. Around the age of two, and in some cases later, the foreskin should begin to naturally separate from the head of the penis. Complete separation occurs in most boys by the age of five. In some cases, this process may take longer, sometimes even beyond adolescence, but this does not necessarily indicate a problem.
Religious and cultural traditions
Neonatal circumcision is often performed in accordance with established social or religious traditions, although from a medical perspective a favorable risk–benefit ratio for the widespread performance of this procedure is not recognized.
Interestingly, some studies conducted in Africa have shown that circumcised men have a lower risk of acquiring HIV from infected women. However, it remains unclear whether male circumcision also helps prevent other sexually transmitted infections.
Numerous studies have examined the relationship between male circumcision and the risk of other sexually transmitted infections, but to date the data remain inconsistent and inconclusive.
How is the procedure performed?
Circumcision is usually carried out as a day-case procedure, meaning the patient is operated on the day of admission and does not need to stay overnight at the medical center. After admission, the patient is examined by the team that will perform the procedure, including the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. Circumcision is a relatively simple operation: the foreskin is removed just below the head of the penis using a scalpel or surgical scissors. The edges of the remaining skin are closed with absorbable sutures.
Is it painful?
When performed for medical indications, anesthesia, regardless of its type, prevents any pain during the procedure. To reduce discomfort in the following days, mild pain-relieving medications are prescribed.
How does recovery proceed?
Healing usually takes about ten days after surgery, and in some cases several weeks may be required for the disappearance of more or less pronounced increased sensitivity of the exposed mucosa. From an aesthetic point of view, the penis acquires its final appearance approximately six weeks after the operation. During the recovery period, sexual intercourse and any form of stimulation should be avoided for at least four weeks after surgery. After the procedure and during the following three to four days, the glans may cause discomfort and swelling; therefore, analgesics are prescribed before discharge to reduce these symptoms. Wearing light and loose underwear helps avoid local irritation during healing.
The patient should обязательно consult a doctor at the Bogolyuby Medical Center if fever develops, redness increases, bleeding occurs, or persistent or throbbing pain appears in the penis, as all of these may be signs of infection.
