Circumcision

Health Concerns & Conditions

What is circumcision?

  • Circumcision is the surgical removal of the skin covering the end of the penis (foreskin).
  • In certain countries, this procedure is common, especially for newborn boys.
  • Apart from medical reasons, this procedure is also done for religious or cultural reasons, personal hygiene, or preventive healthcare. Others consider circumcision as unnecessary or disfiguring.
  • There is also some evidence that male circumcision reduces the probability of carrying HPV and of their female partners developing cervical cancer (Morris & Hankins, 2017).


Medical reasons:

  • Phimosis (Tight foreskin) - when the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back from the head of the penis (glans). Phimosis can be painful, especially when the penis is erect, and in rare cases passing urine may be difficult.
  • Recurrent balanitis - inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis.
  • Parahimosis - where the foreskin cannot return to its place after being pulled back. This will cause the head of the penis to become swollen and painful. Blood flow to the penis gets restricted, requiring immediate treatment.
  • Balanitis xerotica obliterans - the condition that causes phimosis. This may affect the glans of the penis, causing it to become scarred and inflamed.
  • Cancer of the penis - abnormalities or changes on the penis such as growths, sores, bleeding, foul smelling discharge, phimosis, rash and change in colour of the skin.


Other treatments:
Before going to circumcision, other less invasive and less risky treatments may be suggested, which may include topical creams, ointments, or gels.

What happens during the procedure?

  • It is a short-stay procedure under local anaesthesia
  • The entire foreskin is removed, and the head of the penis is exposed.
  • Absorbable stitches are used. They will disappear after 2 to 3 weeks.


Are there any side-effects?
The impact of the side-effects can vary from one person to another. Possible side-effects may include:

  • Most patients experience swelling of the penis, which usually lasts for a few days
  • Increased sensitivity of the head of the penis, which can last for up to two weeks
  • Permanently altered or reduced sensation in your glans (head of the penis)
  • Infection of the incision requiring antibiotics or surgical drainage
  • Bleeding from the wound
  • Dissatisfaction of how the penis looks cosmetically


What to expect post-surgery?

  • You will continue to get erections as normal after the procedure, but you should refrain from any sexual activity (intercourse or masturbation) for four weeks
  • When you first get erections, you may feel some tightness and discomfort around the scar tissue that will heal within months
  • The procedure will not have an effect on your ejaculation or fertility


Reference List:
Morris, B. & Hankins, C. (2017). Effect of male circumcision on risk of sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer in women. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2214-109X%2817%2930386-8