Can grown men get circumcised. What are the reasons for adult circumcision. How is the procedure performed. What are the potential benefits and risks of adult circumcision. How long does recovery take after adult circumcision.

Understanding Adult Male Circumcision

Adult male circumcision is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the foreskin, the retractable fold of skin covering the tip of the penis. While circumcision is commonly performed on newborns, some men choose to undergo the procedure later in life for various medical, cultural, or personal reasons.

What is circumcision?

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin from the human penis. In adult males, it’s typically performed under general anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes to complete. The entire foreskin is removed using an incision just behind the head of the penis, leaving the glans (head) completely exposed.

Reasons for Adult Circumcision

There are several reasons why an adult male might choose to undergo circumcision:

• Medical conditions such as phimosis (tight foreskin that cannot be retracted)
• Paraphimosis (retracted foreskin that cannot be returned to its original position)
• Balanitis (inflammation of the glans)
• Posthitis (inflammation of the foreskin)
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Personal or cultural preferences
• Cosmetic reasons

Is adult circumcision common?

While not as common as infant circumcision, adult male circumcision is performed for various reasons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 58% of newborns in the United States are circumcised. However, exact statistics for adult circumcision are less readily available.

The Procedure: What to Expect

Adult circumcision is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Here’s what you can expect:

1. The area is cleaned and sterilized
2. An incision is made just behind the head of the penis
3. The foreskin is removed
4. The incision is closed with absorbable stitches
5. A dressing is applied to protect the wound

How long does the procedure take?

The circumcision procedure itself usually takes about 30 minutes. However, you should plan to spend several hours at the medical facility for preparation and initial recovery.

Potential Benefits of Adult Circumcision

Adult circumcision may offer several potential health benefits:

• Reduced risk of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV
• Lower risk of urinary tract infections
• Decreased risk of penile cancer
• Elimination of foreskin-related problems like phimosis and paraphimosis
• Improved hygiene

Does circumcision reduce HIV risk?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%. However, it’s crucial to note that circumcision does not provide complete protection against HIV or other STIs, and safe sex practices should still be followed.

Risks and Potential Complications

As with any surgical procedure, adult circumcision carries some risks:

• Bleeding and infection
• Pain and discomfort
• Changes in sensation
• Scarring
• Unsatisfactory cosmetic results
• Rare complications such as injury to the penis or urethra

Are there any long-term side effects of adult circumcision?

Most men who undergo adult circumcision do not experience significant long-term side effects. However, some may notice changes in sexual sensation or satisfaction, which can be either positive or negative. It’s important to discuss potential risks and outcomes with your healthcare provider before deciding to undergo the procedure.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from adult circumcision typically takes several weeks. Here’s what to expect during the recovery period:

• Initial discomfort and swelling for a few days
• Avoid sexual activity for at least six weeks
• Keep the area clean and dry
• Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce friction
• Follow your doctor’s instructions for wound care and pain management

When can normal activities resume after circumcision?

Most men can return to work and light activities within a week of the procedure. However, strenuous physical activity and sexual intercourse should be avoided for at least six weeks to allow for complete healing. It’s important to follow your doctor’s specific instructions for your recovery.

Making the Decision: Factors to Consider

Deciding to undergo adult circumcision is a personal choice that should be made after careful consideration and consultation with a healthcare provider. Factors to consider include:

• Medical necessity
• Personal beliefs and cultural factors
• Potential benefits and risks
• Recovery time and impact on daily life
• Partner’s opinions and preferences

Should all adult men consider circumcision?

Circumcision is not medically necessary for all adult men. The decision to undergo the procedure should be based on individual circumstances, medical advice, and personal preferences. It’s important to have a thorough discussion with a healthcare provider to determine if circumcision is appropriate for your situation.

Alternatives to Circumcision

In some cases, alternatives to circumcision may be available for addressing medical issues:

• Topical steroids for treating phimosis
• Antibiotics for treating infections
• Improved hygiene practices
• Partial circumcision or foreskin-preserving surgeries

Are there non-surgical treatments for foreskin problems?

Yes, some foreskin problems can be treated without surgery. For example, mild cases of phimosis may respond to topical steroid creams and gentle stretching exercises. Infections can often be treated with antibiotics. However, more severe cases may still require surgical intervention. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.

Adult male circumcision is a surgical procedure that can be performed for various medical, cultural, or personal reasons. While it offers potential benefits such as reduced risk of certain infections and improved hygiene, it also carries risks and requires a period of recovery. The decision to undergo circumcision as an adult should be made carefully, taking into account individual circumstances and medical advice. If you’re considering adult circumcision, it’s crucial to have a thorough discussion with a qualified healthcare provider to understand the procedure, its potential outcomes, and whether it’s the right choice for you.

Remember that while circumcision may reduce the risk of certain health issues, it does not eliminate these risks entirely. Regardless of circumcision status, it’s important to practice safe sex and maintain good genital hygiene. If you’re experiencing problems related to your foreskin or have concerns about your penile health, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. A healthcare professional can provide personalized guidance and help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being.

Why might an adult male be circumcised?

Circumcision is sometimes practiced  to potentially lower risk for infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that “male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%.”

Even though circumcision may reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV, it does not eliminate that risk. Men and their partners should still use safe sex practices, such as using condoms during every sexual act.

Circumcision is also thought to lower a man’s risk for penile cancer.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

“Information for providers counseling male patients and parents regarding male circumcision and the prevention of HIV infection, STIs, and other health outcomes”

(August 22, 2018)

https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/58456

Everyday Health 

Iliades, Chris, MD

“Adult Circumcision: The Basics”

(April 12, 2016)

https://www. everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/adult-circumcision-basics.aspx

International Society for Sexual Medicine

“How is phimosis treated?”

https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/how-is-phimosis-treated/?ref_condition=male-sexual-health

“What is phimosis?”

https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-phimosis/?ref_condition=male-sexual-health

Medical News Today

Ingleson, Kanna

“Paraphimosis: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention”

(August 8, 2017)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318833.php

Merck Manual – Consumer Version

Shenot, Patrick J., MD

“Inflammation of the Penis (Balanitis; Posthitis; Balanoposthitis)”

(Last review: August 2019)

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/men-s-health-issues/penile-and-testicular-disorders/inflammation-of-the-penis

SA Health (Government of South Australia)

“Balanitis and balanoposthitis diagnosis and management”

(Last updated: January 2017)

https://www. sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/clinical+resources/clinical+topics/sexually+transmitted+infection+guidelines/balanitis+and+balanoposthitis+diagnosis+and+management

World Health Organization 

“Male circumcision for HIV prevention”

https://www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/en/

What to Expect After Adult Circumcision

What is a circumcision?

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin. The procedure takes about thirty minutes and is performed under general anesthesia. The entire foreskin is removed using an incision just behind the head of the penis. This leaves the head of the penis completely exposed. Local anesthesia will be used to relieve discomfort after the operation.

Why is circumcision performed?

Circumcision is usually performed on newborns for medical, social, or cultural purposes. According to the CDC, more than 58% of newborns in the United States are circumcised. However, people with an uncircumcised penis may choose to become circumcised later in life for many reasons, including:

• Phimosis (tight foreskin cannot be retracted to expose head of penis)
• Paraphimosis (retracted foreskin cannot be brought back to cover head of penis)
• Balanitis (inflammation of head of penis)
• Posthitis (inflammation of the foreskin—pronounced pos-THI-tis)
• Cosmetic or personal reasons
• Tearing of the penile skin when sexually active

Although circumcision is a simple procedure, it’s a larger surgery for adults than it is for newborns.

What can I expect afterwards?

You will be sent home with a compression dressing that can be removed in 48 hours. If it falls off sooner than that it’s not a problem. Absorbable stitches are used that do not require removal. After the dressing is removed, petroleum jelly can be applied to the stitch line to prevent the penis from sticking to your underwear.

You will likely experience pain for a few days that can be managed with analgesics that will be prescribed. Anti-inflammatories such as Advil and Ibuprofen are preferred to the narcotics as they are equally effective and have less side effects. You should not drive a car or operate machinery if you are using a narcotic for pain relief.

Activities need to be restricted for a few days. Sexual activity cannot be pursued for at least six weeks to allow full healing. You may experience pain with spontaneous erections.

When do I need to follow-up in the office?

You will need to be checked back in the office a week or two after the circumcision, and at the six-week point.

Written by Dr. Andrew Siegel

Circumcision in men – NHS

Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin.

The foreskin is the retractable fold of skin that covers the end of the penis. It’s a continuation of the skin that covers the whole penis.

This page focuses on circumcision for medical reasons in men. Read about circumcision for medical reasons in boys.

Why circumcision is carried out in men

Circumcision may be carried out for a number of reasons.

Medical reasons

In men, circumcision is most commonly carried out when the foreskin is tight and won’t pull back (retract), which is known as phimosis.

But alternative treatments, such as topical steroids, are sometimes preferred.

Non-medical reasons

Circumcision is a common practice in the Jewish and Islamic communities, and it’s also practised by many African communities.

Most non-medical circumcisions are carried out on children.

Medical reasons for men to have a circumcision

In men, circumcision is sometimes considered a possible treatment option for the following conditions.

Tight foreskin (phimosis)

Phimosis is where the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the head of the penis (glans).

This can sometimes cause pain when the penis is erect and, in rare cases, passing urine may be difficult.

Recurrent balanitis

Balanitis is where the foreskin and head of the penis become inflamed and infected.

Paraphimosis

Paraphimosis is where the foreskin can’t be returned to its original position after being pulled back, causing the head of the penis to become swollen and painful.

Immediate treatment is needed to avoid serious complications, such as restricted blood flow to the penis.

Balanitis xerotica obliterans

This condition causes phimosis and, in some cases, also affects the head of the penis, which can become scarred and inflamed.

Cancer of the penis

Cancer of the penis is a very rare type of cancer, where a red patch, wart-like growth or ulcer appears on the end of the penis or under the foreskin.

Other treatments

In most cases, circumcision will only be recommended when other, less invasive and less risky treatments have been tried and haven’t worked.

Mild cases of phimosis can be treated with topical steroids to help soften the skin and make it easier for the foreskin to retract.

In paraphimosis, a healthcare professional may rub a local anaesthetic gel onto the glans to help reduce pain and inflammation.

They may then apply pressure to the head of the penis while pushing the foreskin forward.

In severe cases of paraphimosis, local anaesthetic gel can be applied to the penis and a small slit is made in the foreskin to help relieve the pressure.

Balanitis and balanitis xerotica obliterans can sometimes be successfully treated using corticosteroid ointment, gel or cream, antibiotic creams or antifungal creams.

The 3 main treatment options for penile cancer are:

If you’re considering circumcision for a medical reason, it’s worth discussing alternative treatment options with your GP or specialist.

HIV prevention

There’s evidence from several trials carried out in Africa that circumcised men have a lower risk of acquiring HIV from infected women.

But it’s unclear whether male circumcision can help prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

There have been several studies into male circumcision and the risk of other STIs, but the evidence to date has been inconclusive and conflicting.

The procedure

Circumcision is usually carried out on a day patient basis. This means you’ll be admitted to hospital on the same day you have surgery and won’t have to stay overnight.

You’ll be asked not to eat and drink for 6 hours before surgery if you’re having a general anaesthetic.

After you have been admitted to hospital, you’ll be seen by the members of the medical team carrying out the procedure, including your surgeon and anaesthetist.

This is a good opportunity to discuss any concerns you have and ask questions about anything you’re not sure about.

You’ll be asked to sign a consent form to confirm you agree to the surgery.

You’ll usually either have a general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be unconscious throughout the procedure, or a local anaesthetic injection, which will numb your penis and the surrounding area.

In some cases, a spinal anaesthetic, where you’re unable to feel anything below your waist, will be used.

Read more about the different types of anaesthesia.

Circumcision is a relatively simple procedure. The foreskin is removed just behind the head of the penis using a scalpel or surgical scissors.

Any bleeding can be stopped using heat (cauterisation), and the remaining edges of skin will be stitched together using dissolvable stitches.

The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) has produced a leaflet that outlines the circumcision procedure (PDF, 970kb) in more detail.

Recovering after male circumcision

When you’re discharged from hospital, you’ll be given advice about your recovery at home, including when you can drive, return to work and have sex.

It usually takes at least 10 days for your penis to heal after circumcision.

You’ll probably be advised to take at least 1 week off work to recover.

You don’t need to tell the DVLA if you have had a routine circumcision and don’t have any other medical conditions that affect your ability to drive.

But it’s your responsibility to ensure you’re fit to drive after having surgery.

You should avoid having sex for at least 4 weeks after your operation.

Your care team will give you a contact number to call in case you experience any problems or have any concerns.

You should also be given details about your follow-up appointment, which may be at the hospital or with your GP.

For 3 or 4 days after your operation, it’s likely you’ll experience some discomfort and swelling around the head of your penis.

Before leaving hospital, you’ll be given painkilling medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help ease this.

But contact your GP if you have a temperature, increased redness, bleeding, persistent pain or throbbing of your penis, as it could be a sign of infection.

Applying petroleum jelly (Vaseline) around the tip of your penis will stop it sticking to your underwear.

Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing for 2 or 3 days after your operation will also help avoid irritation to your penis while it heals.

You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort while passing urine, but contact your medical team if you do.

Risks of male circumcision

In the UK, complications after circumcisions carried out for medical reasons are rare and most men don’t experience any significant problems.

Apart from the initial swelling, bleeding and infection are the 2 most common problems associated with circumcision.

There’s between a 1 in 10 and a 1 in 50 chance that you’ll experience bleeding or infection.

Other possible complications of circumcision can include:

• permanent reduction in sensation in the head of the penis, particularly during sex
• tenderness around the scar
• the need to remove stitches that haven’t dissolved
• occasionally, another operation is needed to remove some more skin from around the head of the penis

Page last reviewed: 05 November 2018
Next review due: 05 November 2021

What It’s Like to Get Circumcised as a Grown Man

My wife has this energy and bright smile that a quiet, shy guy like me was immediately attracted to—but it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. When we were in college, she actually dated my best friend for a couple of weeks at the beginning of the semester senior year. Luckily, that didn’t work out, and we started seeing each other soon after. About two weeks into our relationship, we were already talking about marriage—and by spring break, we were engaged. We got married a year later.

Her conservative Jewish family accepted me right from the start, even though I had no interest in converting. I was raised Mormon and then steered away from that and every religion. But when we were engaged, we started going to Jewish services each week. I was kind of just going with her in solidarity, but I started getting really into the Hebrew culture and language and eventually religious values. Not long after we got married, I decided that I wanted to convert—despite the fact that my wife once joked that she never wanted to marry a Jewish guy. 

One major part of the process is being circumcised. I knew it was coming, but I was basically in denial that I would actually have to do it. Toward the end of my conversion, though, the rabbi brought up the fact that I would have to get my foreskin removed. My immediate thought was, “Is there some way I can skip that part?” He said that unless I had a physical incapability, I really needed to do it because it’s a very important part of the tradition. Then—and here’s the kicker—he said, “All of the men I’ve converted who weren’t circumcised went through with the circumcision.” So I thought, “Well, if these other guys can do it, so can I.” Maybe it was peer pressure, but I decided to go for it. 

The bris, or circumcision ceremony, was done in a hospital operating room—which is totally different than how the ceremony goes down for babies. The room was freezing cold, and I had to lay there naked with my rabbi, a mohel (the person who normally performs the bris ceremony for babies), the surgeon, and nurses—some of whom were women—surrounding me. I’ve never felt more exposed in my life. My wife decided to stay in the waiting room, and I don’t blame her. 

They started the procedure by putting iodine on my penis to sterilize it, which was also very cold. After that, they injected the base of my penis with anesthetic so it wouldn’t hurt as badly during the procedure—but the shot itself was really, really painful. The mohel made the initial cut on my foreskin and then the surgeon went in to finish the job. I didn’t watch, but he made an incision at the glans of my penis right below the head, removed the foreskin, and stitched the skin back up. I think I had 18 stitches total. 

Watch this video to learn everything you never knew about the male anatomy:

While it took a few weeks for the skin on my penis to heal, that actually wasn’t the most painful part. Surprisingly, the toughest part was waiting for my newly exposed (and very sensitive skin) to get used to my underwear. For a few weeks, my briefs felt like steel wool when my skin would brush against them.  

One month later, I was finally cleared to have sex again. I know what you’re wondering, but sex didn’t really feel that much different for my wife or me. One thing that did change, though, was how she saw my penis. She used to joke that my uncircumcised penis reminded her of the Jawas from Star Wars. They’re these little hooded guys that only show their eyes. Now she thinks it’s way more attractive. 

Ultimately, getting circumcised was a key part of my conversion experience. It helped me feel like I was really joining the Jewish community (especially since it was also the time that I received my Hebrew name). Converting to Judaism has changed my life and completely altered how I think of God. Regardless of what my penis looks or feel like now, it was an important step I needed to take to complete my journey toward becoming Jewish.

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Adult circumcision a tough sell, even for a lower HIV risk

And for most of those people, circumcision probably would not do much good. It might help protect gay men who are exclusively “tops” – that is, they have only penetrative anal sex, never receptive. It presumably would help protect men having sex with infected women. It might help protect women who choose circumcised men – but even that was not proved in the African studies, which had to be stopped early because the benefit for men was so glaring.

Because of these unknowables, no domestic medical authority, from the New York City Health Department to the American Urological Association, has a policy on adult circumcision yet.

And, besides, there hasn’t been a groundswell of demand.

“We haven’t gotten a lot of calls,” said Noel Alicea, a spokesman for Gay Men’s Health Crisis, an HIV/AIDS support network.

“Not a one,” said Tokes Osubu, executive director of Gay Men of African Descent.

“A few,” said Mark McLaurin, executive director of the New York State Black Gay Network. “The first ones wanted to make sure that it wasn’t going to be mandatory. And then there were others who said ‘Tell me more – how much does this reduce my risk?”‘ McLaurin said he would advise most gay men to “hold off until we have more data.” But, he added, “for someone who was predominantly or exclusively a top, and said he was really having a hard time reducing his risk by practicing safe sex – I’d have a hard time recommending against it.” But, he quickly added, he was certain that few men in his network would want it. “We’ve had a hard time recruiting black and Latino men even for vaccine trials,” he said. “Because of everything from Tuskegee on up,” he explained – referring to the notorious medical experiment in which black men with syphilis were left untreated for decades – many black Americans mistrust the medical establishment.

In Africa, it is relatively easy to talk men into getting circumcised, said Daniel Halperin, an AIDS researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health who has interviewed hundreds of African men about sex, AIDS and local customs.

Why is circumcision so popular in the US? — Quartz

In a sunlit synagogue in Durham, North Carolina, everyone’s eyes are on an eight-day-old boy—my new nephew, bundled in his grandmother’s arms. While a rabbi speaks about new life and making the world a better place, a woman quietly sets out gauze, scissors and other tools on a table near the altar. The atmosphere is a little tense.  We have all gathered to celebrate this brand-new baby. We have also come to witness the removal of his foreskin.

Ritual circumcision is a common practice for Jews and Muslims around the world. It is a legacy of God’s commandment to Abraham to circumcise his penis as a sign of their special bond, as chronicled in the Book of Genesis, and it persists as a kind of tribal marking.

In America, even irreligious Jews still embrace this initiation rite. Some blame peer pressure: “I didn’t want him to look weird,” my brother-in-law explained about his newborn son. Others take comfort in the fact that this tradition has also been blessed by the American medical establishment. Neonatal circumcision has been the most common surgery in America for over a century. Nearly six out of ten newborns are released from hospitals foreskin-free. The practice is so widespread, in fact, that one study of 90 active American medical textbooks and models found that less than a third featured a penis with foreskin intact.

Because male circumcision is so common in the states, few Americans realize how rare it is most everywhere else. The practice has fallen by the wayside in Australia, Canada, Britain and New Zealand, and fewer than one-fifth of all male Europeans are circumcised. In December, the Danish Medical Association recommended ending the practice for boys, arguing that because it permanently alters the body it should be “an informed, personal choice” that young men make for themselves.

In Germany, a district judge ruled in 2012 that ritual circumcision of juveniles is a crime that violates “the fundamental right of the child to bodily integrity.” South Korea is the only Asian country to embrace the procedure, as a kind of physiological souvenir of America’s occupation following World War II. But there, too, circumcision rates are declining fast, as the adolescent boys who would otherwise go under the knife (as per local custom) gain access to research about its purported benefits online.

Most Americans assume the practice is medically useful, like a vaccination. The medical community agrees: both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) claim the benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks, citing evidence that circumcision lowers a man’s risk for HIV, urinary-tract infections and penile cancer. But a closer look reveals that, at least in the industrialized world, the health benefits of circumcision may be negligible.

Circumcision, for example, does slightly lower the risk of a urinary-tract infection in male newborns. But UTIs affect fewer than 1% of uncircumcised infants and are easily treatable with antibiotics. For every six urinary-tract infections prevented through circumcision, at least one infant is likely to suffer a complication from surgery, such as hemorrhage.

Men without a foreskin do appear less likely to get penile cancer. But the disease is uncommon—affecting roughly one in 100,000 men in the US each year—and fairly treatable. (For a bit of perspective, women are 100 times more likely to get breast cancer.)

And while it is true that three randomized trials in Africa found that circumcision more than halved the risk of men getting HIV, it is harder to justify a prophylactic procedure in a place with considerably less HIV risk. In South Africa, for example, almost a quarter of the adult population is already infected, whereas in America, a little over one third of 1% (. 37%) have HIV. In addition, the trials found that circumcision helped men who have sex with infected women. In America, however, HIV is transmitted primarily via nonsterile syringes or sex between men, and there is no evidence that a foreskin affects either mode.

“I have no qualms if it binds people to their God, but I think the data is pretty slim to support medical indications for circumcision,” says Timothy R.B. Johnson, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan who has authored several reports on the subject.

So what explains America’s fuss over foreskins? A closer look at how this religious rite became a national practice reveals some uncomfortable truths about health care in the US. Apparently, all it takes to popularize an elective preventative surgery with questionable health benefits is a mix of perverse incentives, personal bias, and ignorance.

First, it helps to know a bit of history. Although religious practitioners have been snipping foreskins for thousands of years, the medical practice dates from the late 19^th century—a time when the causes of most diseases were poorly understood. Mystified by everything from epilepsy to madness, some physicians in both America and England began to suspect that the real trouble was phimosis, a condition when an overly tight foreskin hinders normal function. By removing the foreskin, surgeons believed they could heal all sorts of maladies, from hernias to lunacy.

Around the turn of the 20^th century, American epidemiologists were also trying to explain why Jews lived longer than other groups of people. Jews tended to have lower rates of infectious diseases, such as syphilis and tuberculosis, in part because they had little sexual contact with non-Jews. But some scientists began to suspect their rude health was a product of circumcision.

At the time, surgical interventions of all kinds were becoming more popular, owing to better anesthesia and greater concern over cleanliness, which reduced hospital contagion. Doctors began recommending the operation as part of the neonatal routine. Not only did the procedure prevent phimosis, but it was also believed to make the penis more hygienic and less tempting for wayward masturbating boys (a notion that might have been quashed by something known as the scientific method). As David Gollaher explains in his book Circumcision: A History of the World’s Most Controversial Surgery, a circumcised penis swiftly became a mark of distinction, a sign of good breeding, sound hygiene and the best medicine money could buy.

In Britain, too, circumcision became a habit of the upper classes, including the royal family. Anyone who could afford to have a child delivered by a doctor rather than a midwife was keen to heed the latest scientific advice.

But this changed in the UK with the launch of the publicly funded National Health Service in 1948. Because British doctors could not agree that circumcision was necessary, the practice was not covered. At a time when most Brits were financially strapped, few cared to pay for something that suddenly seemed frivolous. Circumcision rates swiftly dropped.

In America, however, the postwar boom years created a glut of jobs, and employers often wooed workers with plush health benefits, which typically covered circumcision. A growing number of Americans could suddenly afford to give birth in hospitals, and routine infant circumcisions spiked.

This helped entrench an elective medical practice, creating generations of foreskinless fathers and doctors who were inclined to believe it was best for their sons, too. It is a trend that America’s unwieldy fee-for-service health-care handily reinforces, as doctors and hospitals have incentives for offering interventions deemed unnecessary most everywhere else.

Johnson, the University of Michigan professor of obstetrics and gynecology, observes that the procedure is “highly remunerative” for the pediatricians at his hospital.

“I think the professional charge in our state is somewhere between $150-200,” he says. “That’s real money if you can do four or five circumcisions in an hour.” In states where Medicaid does not cover the practice, rates have fallen fast.

This is not to say that official bodies such as the CDC and AAP are issuing health guidelines with an eye on the bottom line. But it is important to recognize some of the cultural biases informing America’s embrace of circumcision.

“When surgeries become the norm, the intuitive valuation of what’s at stake just shifts,” says Brian Earp, associate director of the Yale-Hastings Program in Ethics and Health Policy. He notes that because most American physicians are circumcised and work in places where the surgery is common, they are more likely to look for reasons to support the practice than question it.

As the procedure is both deeply personal and a bit taboo (no one really likes talking about genitals), few people even discuss it at all. Grown men who have never known life with a foreskin are disinclined to mourn it.

Elsewhere, however, uncircumcised physicians are better placed to appreciate this elastic, functional sleeve of tissue, which is not only tremendously sexually sensitive but also handy for protecting the head of the penis from abrasion. Government-financed health care also squeezes out costly discretionary practices, making it easier for doctors in other developed countries to see that a prophylactic surgery on healthy, non-consenting infants is not quite the most conservative, least harmful way of achieving certain results. Some uncircumcised boys will still run the risk of phimosis, but the risk is rare. A new population-based study from Denmark, where most boys are uncircumcised, found that medical necessity forced a foreskin intervention in a mere .5% of Danish boys.

Because there are less invasive ways to enjoy the negligible benefits of circumcision, some argue that the practice in America is unethical. They have a point—particularly as the surgery permanently alters those who have no say in the matter. Parents may still wish to go through with it, for religious or cultural reasons. But it would be better if more Americans questioned a medical establishment that encourages a surgery that every other country in the industrialized world recognizes as unnecessary.

Effects of childhood circumcision age on adult male sexual functions

To our knowledge we report the first prospective study assessing the relationship between childhood circumcision age and male sexual function. We demonstrated no relationship between circumcision age and overall male sexual function. However, comparisons of subgroups yielded that, of specific domains of sexual function, avoidance and communication seemed to be affected by age at circumcision procedure in this cohort of sexually active males. In addition, prevalence of sexual dysfunction is higher and PE was the most common dysfunction in the survey.

Although many have speculated about the effect of childhood circumcision on sexual function, the current state of knowledge is based on anecdote rather than scientific evidence.^{28, 29, 30} Myths have mostly addressed changes in penile sensitivity,^{5, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17} but some have also regarded sexual activity and satisfaction with appearance.⁶ Little has been written about the effect of childhood circumcision on erectile function⁵ and, few studies have investigated the relationship between childhood circumcision and adult sexual function.^{5, 10}

Hammond,⁵ has reported the results of the study conducted by the National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males (NOHARMM) and concluded that circumcision would result in physical, sexual and psychological adverse consequences. NOHARMM’s study was entirely based on the poll of participants who were unsatisfied with infantile circumcision and has claimed that adverse sexual consequences were secondary to decreased penile sensitivity and emotional distress. However, there is no evidence supporting the theory of decreased penile sensitivity owing to circumcision, though it is plausible. Furthermore, Masters and Johnson⁸ and, more recently Bleustein et al.¹⁰ have found no significant difference in sensation by neurological testing on the glans of circumcised and uncircumcised men. On the other hand, emotional distress as a claimed cause of adult sexual dysfunction after neonatal circumcision may be, of course, culture, individual or partner related. For example, an uncircumcised Turkish man would have emotional distress, because male circumcision is deeply woven into the fabric of Turkish society and Turks consider that one is not a man until he is circumcised.³¹

Laumann et al. ¹² analyzed data from the National Health and Social Life Survey and found that neonatally circumcised men were slightly less likely to experience sexual dysfunction. Also, several authors have reviewed the literature and concluded that circumcision does not interfere with sexual sensation and satisfaction.^{28, 29, 30}

Childhood circumcision is reported as a psychological trauma as in all interventions. Furthermore, infantile circumcision may also cause short-term behavioral changes. However, long-term psychological effects associated with circumcision are difficult to establish.¹⁸ Actually, there is no circumcision study that demonstrates psychological adverse effects experienced in adulthood.

We found that the mean score of avoidance was significantly lower in males who had undergone circumcision in infancy, compared with that of the group including men circumcised between 3 and 5 years of age. Also, in the communication domain, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups, where the mean age of sexually dysfunctional men was younger than that of the normal functioning men. Although NOHARMM’s study has reported that many respondents suffered physical/emotional distress impeding emotional intimacy with partner(s), resulting in sexual dysfunction,⁵ we could not comment on these findings. The nonsensuality scores in the study may result from and also represent the well being of participants, who were at their the most sexually active period, as sensuality is considered as a yield of endocrine function.³²

Men who have undergone circumcision in adulthood have potentially a unique position to assess the effect of the prepuce on sexual intercourse.⁶ Therefore, we do not mention findings from adult circumcision studies. However, the well-known controversies also continue to exist regarding the sexual effects of adult circumcision.^{2, 3, 6, 9}

The rationale of the present study is based on the available literature summarized in the introduction. Little is known about the effects of male circumcision on male sexual function, even though it is easy to test their possible relationship, as circumcision is highly prevalent procedure throughout the world. ^{1, 5, 6} Thus, there are many myths surrounding circumcision, affecting public behavior, particularly in Western countries.^{2, 20} This study is a part of our large survey, which was conducted to determine the contributing factors to sexual functions of women, men and couples. The present study attempts to shed light on the circumcision debate by assessing the possible relationship between childhood circumcision age and sexual function of adult male, using a validated questionnaire, GRISS.

Several means, including interviews, diaries and questionnaires, have been developed and commonly used for assessment of sexual function in both men and women.^{6, 33} However, few questionnaires have been cross-validated in multiple samples of sexually functional and dysfunctional women. Published data indicate that the GRISS questionnaire is valid, reliable and responsive to change following standard psychometric testing. Evidence has been published on all aspects and the questionnaire is relevant for use with persons with sexual dysfunction. ^{21, 22, 23, 24} The advantage of the present study is that we were able to examine the sexual function by the use of a self-report questionnaire cross-validated in multiple samples of sexually functional and dysfunctional men, rather than relying on general questions about sexual problems or focusing on only certain types of sexual dysfunction. This provided a fuller picture of overall sexual function in the study groups. Considering that sexuality is a complex entity with physical, emotional, psychological, cultural and religious dimensions, differing from person to person, future investigators wishing to compare sexuality should consider using self-reported and validated questionnaires. It will be easy to compare studies and increase the ability to draw clinical inferences from the findings. However, different questionnaires have been used partly or entirely in the published studies to assess the effects of circumcision on male sexual functions, including nonvalidated and validated questionnaires, such as the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Brief Sexual Function Questionnaire, Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, Center for Marital and Sexual Health Functioning Questionnaire, and National Health and Social Life Survey. To our knowledge, GRISS questionnaire is firstly used in the study for such a purpose.^{2, 3, 6, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38}

Male participants were at their most sexually active period in terms of age, allowing to determine easily the possible relationship between childhood circumcision age and sexual functions. The accompanying partners of multiparous women, pregnant women and those with a stillbirth were excluded from the study to avoid possible confounding factors. Our study may have methodological limitation owing to lack of control (uncircumcised men) group to compare, but almost all of the men are circumcised in our country,³¹ and we, therefore preferred the present design to test the study’s objective.

Of all the dysfunctions, PE was the only specific dysfunction found in our study, with a mean score above the normal range. Moreover, it was the most common problem in accordance with the previous studies.¹¹ PE has been reported as affecting from 5 to 40% of sexually active men, depending on age. ^{39, 40} Prevalence estimates of PE vary widely, probably because there is no universally accepted definition of PE and ejaculatory function can be affected by psychological, physical, financial or partner-related factors, even in the same man.⁴¹ There are few, if any, large-scale studies providing community-based, normative data and there is no standardized screening tool to identify PE. Considering the age range of our study population, the rate of PE was higher than that reported previously.^{39, 40} There is no evidence supporting notion that circumcision causes PE.¹¹

In our sample of male participants from a gynecological outpatient clinic of a University hospital, a rather high prevalence of sexual dysfunction (26.2%) was found.⁴² None of the men had self-presented their sexual dysfunctions before the present study. This finding corroborates earlier contentions that the clinician should actively ask for the existence of sexual dysfunctions, because patients tend not to disclose their sexual problems by themselves, usually owing to embarrassment, despite their apparent need for professional assistance. ^{42, 43, 44} Although physicians are able to elicit information regarding sexual function on specific questioning, patients appear comfortable and willing to discuss their condition with physicians.^{42, 43, 44}

Some methodological shortcomings may limit the value of the findings. First, our study consists of small sample size, especially in subscales. Second, it has no control (uncircumcised men) group to compare owing to scarce of uncircumcised men in our country. Third, the study was conducted in a unique cultural environment, which is a confounding factor in studies regarding circumcision.⁴⁵ Finally, the female factor in the study was not considered. However, we cannot know the way in which all the limitations will affect the study’s results.

To our knowledge, we present the first study to evaluate specifically the relationship between childhood circumcision age and male sexual function. Although our study has some methodological shortcomings, it contributes to our knowledge about the effects of childhood circumcision age. We demonstrated that circumcision age does not affect overall male sexual function, however, some specific domains of sexual function (i.e., avoidance and communication) seemed to be affected by the age at circumcision. In addition, prevalence of sexual dysfunction was higher and PE was the most common dysfunction in the survey. Our findings may help health professionals interested in circumcision better counsel parents on decision-making process of male circumcision. Prospective studies, including large cohort studies and those based on scientifically objective measurements, are needed to understand better the effects of childhood circumcision on adult life.

90,000 Harm and benefits of male circumcision

Treatment of urological diseases is one of the leading directions in the Renovazio multidisciplinary clinic. Urology is a field of medicine that requires doctors to be careful, precise, skillful and constantly honing existing knowledge and skills in order to introduce the most advanced medical advances into clinical practice.

The urologists of the Renovazio Clinic have the necessary knowledge, successful years of experience and the desire to solve the problem of their patients in the safest and most effective way.This approach allows specialists to guarantee the success and effectiveness of treatment by performing minor urological surgeries. The use of local (spinal) anesthesia and the absence of the need for follow-up of the patient allows him to return home on the same day and do his usual activities.

Indications for circumcision

Circumcision (circumcision) is a minor urological operation, which consists in removing the foreskin on the glans penis.The history of this surgical procedure is deeply rooted in history and, despite the lack of medical indications, is mandatory for men in some cultures.

In the Renovazio clinic, this operation can also be carried out for purely medical reasons, among which there are:

• Reducing the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. According to studies, circumcision in men affects the likelihood of contracting HIV – the risk is reduced by about 60%.The procedure also protects against trichomoniasis, HPV, herpes simplex virus and syphilis (although many doctors refute this claim, considering it insufficiently substantiated).
• Enhancement of aesthetics. Some men or their sexual partners may be embarrassed by a crease in the foreskin. In some patients, it completely covers the glans (like a hood), even if the penis is erect. Circumcision allows the glans to be exposed, increasing the attractiveness of the penis.
• Elimination of paraphimosis, phimosis.
• Elimination of the risk of developing balanitis and infringement of the head.
• Easier hygiene.

Disadvantages of circumcision in adult men

In older men, circumcision is also performed, but somewhat less frequently. This is due to fewer indications and a decrease in the regenerative properties of tissues. In an adult patient, the risk of the formation of adhesions, scars, which can impair the aesthetic characteristics of the penis, significantly increases.However, with professional treatment, the likelihood of problems is extremely small.

Among the disadvantages of circumcision are:

1. Discomfort in the postoperative period. No specialist can predict the pain and severity of the postoperative period in an individual patient. Some men may experience soreness and erection for several nights, while others do not. In most patients, the intensity of the pain syndrome decreases after 4-5 days, and in some patients the discomfort may persist for 2-3 months.
2. Insufficient or excessive removal of the foreskin. In the first case, the effect of the performed operation will be weak. In the second case, there is a deformation of the penis due to tension, the occurrence of painful sensations during an erection and pulling the scrotum forward, as a result of which a “sail” is formed.
3. Unaesthetic appearance. If the operation is performed unprofessionally, “fins” and “scallops” are formed in the head area. Corrective surgery to remove them is much more expensive than primary circumcision.
4. Excessive decrease in the sensitivity of the glans penis. Some doctors are in favor of refuting this statement, but in practice, operated men confirm a decrease in tactile sensations.
5. Increased risk of damage to the integrity of nerve endings, deterioration of erection and loss of sensation.

Pros and cons of circumcision in boys

Among the advantages of carrying out this operational technique in childhood, it is worth highlighting:

• Accelerated tissue regeneration process.In children, tissues recover faster and are more elastic, therefore, as a rule, as a result of the operation, it is possible to achieve an aesthetically satisfactory result.
• Prevention of phimosis. In clinical practice, it is often possible to hear parental complaints about frequent inflammation and incomplete opening of the glans penis. Someone is trying to stretch the foreskin on their own, someone is waiting for an increase in its elasticity during a change in hormonal levels.However, the most correct solution to the problem is circumcision.
• Prevention of urinary tract infections. In the absence of a foreskin, pathogenic flora cannot accumulate in this area.
• Major disadvantages of treatment:
• Increased emotional stress. In this situation, severe stress can cause psychological problems that affect sex life.
• Lack of choice and long-term consequences.It is unethical to perform circumcision in boys without the child’s informed consent (if there is no medical indication).

It is important to contact a qualified specialist, evaluating photos of his work and reviews on independent forums, since the result of illiterate circumcision can be disfigurement of the penis. In the absence of phimosis and problems associated with sex life, it is better to refuse.

In Renovazio, circumcision is performed by an experienced urologist under general anesthesia in a sterile operating room. After the surgical intervention, the patient undergoes a recovery period in a comfortable room.

Circumcisia (circumcision of the foreskin)

Circumcision of the foreskin in men and boys or circumcisio (circumcisio preputii) is one of the most common surgical procedures. This operation consists in a circular excision of the foreskin or skin fold that covers the glans penis. It is believed that one in five men in the world suffered from it.This operation is most common in countries where Muslims and Jews live.

Indications for circumcision (circumcision of the foreskin):

• phimosis
• premature ejaculation
• religious considerations.

Congenital phimosis.

Physiological narrowing of the outer opening of the foreskin (physiological phimosis) occurs in 50% of boys at the age of 1 year, in 10% at the age of 3 years and in no more than 1% of young people after puberty. In addition to the narrowing of the outer opening of the foreskin, the cause of congenital phimosis in men may be its excessive lengthening. In this case, the foreskin hangs from the head of the penis in the form of a proboscis, and when urinating, it inflates in the form of a ball. This can make it difficult for the child to urinate and has to push. If the head of the penis does not open, the boy, upon reaching the age of two, is treated for phimosis with circumcision or partial circumcision.

Cicatricial phimosis or phimosis in adults.

The reason for the development of phimosis in adult men is a thickening or cicatricial narrowing of the outer opening of the foreskin due to a chronic inflammatory process (caused by chronic balanoposthitis, often against the background of type 2 diabetes mellitus) or trauma (for example, with ruptures of the frenulum of the penis). If phimosis is not treated, then the work of the bladder and kidneys is disrupted.

An adult man may also have problems in the genital area: with phimosis, sexual intercourse may be accompanied by pain, problems with the ability to fertilize may arise. The best solution to the problem of cicatricial phimosis in adults is male circumcision.

Premature ejaculation or premature ejaculation.

After circumcision, the sensitivity of the glans penis decreases, which is accompanied by a significant increase in the duration of intercourse. In this case, both complete and partial circumcision are effective. This in many cases allows you to solve the problem of premature ejaculation, even if other methods have proved to be ineffective.

Ritual circumcision or circumcision for religious reasons.

For Jews and Muslims, circumcision is performed during childhood for religious reasons. If earlier ritual circumcision was always performed by a representative of religion, nowadays it is more and more often performed in medical institutions. In addition to religious considerations, the feasibility of performing male circumcision, especially in countries with hot climates, is dictated by the fact that the open state of the glans penis is more hygienic.

The fact is that smegma accumulates in the space between the foreskin and the head, which is a favorable breeding ground for bacteria. Moreover, stagnant smegma is highly carcinogenic, it can cause cancer of the glans penis in men and contribute to the development of cervical cancer in women. Therefore, for reasons of hygiene, men need to regularly (at least once a day) carry out the toilet of the genitals: move the foreskin and wash off the smegma.After circumcision, the need for such careful care is no longer necessary. The technique of the circumcision operation is relatively simple, but filigree. The risk of complications (bleeding or wound infection) is reduced to almost zero thanks to the surgeon’s experience and the use of the most modern surgical instruments and medical equipment. Usually, the operation is performed on an outpatient basis and takes about half an hour. After 2-3 weeks, a man can live a full life, including sexual life.

Preparation for the circumcision operation. Male circumcision – how to prepare and what tests to take?

Before performing an operation such as circumcision or circumcision, an examination is carried out in the following scope:

• General urinalysis
• Clinical blood test
• Coagulogram
• Biochemical blood test (standard volume)
• ECG and physician examination (for patients over 50 years old)
• Tests for RW, HIV, HBs-ag and HCV-at (i.e. tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C).

The studies listed in paragraphs 1-5 must be done no earlier than 15 days before the date of the operation. For tests for RW, HIV, HBs-ag and HCV-am, this period is no more than 3 months.

If there are signs of inflammation of the skin of the foreskin or glans penis (edema, redness, pain, itching), purulent or mucous discharge from the external opening of the urethra or from the narrowed opening of the foreskin, an additional examination is carried out, and an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy.

Additional studies in the presence of an inflammatory process:

• Study of scraping from the urethra or preputial cavity for sexually transmitted infections (gonococcus, Trichomonas, chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, gardnerella, candida, HPV) by PCR.
• Culture of urine or discharge from the orifice of the foreskin for microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics and bacteriophages.
• Anti-inflammatory therapy prescribed before surgery in the presence of inflammation
• Prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics, antifungal and anti-inflammatory drugs, baths with antiseptic solutions.

If during phimosis in the area of ​​the glans penis under the foreskin a seal is palpated, then to exclude the presence of a tumor, a cytological examination of the discharge from the prepuce is indicated. If you have any problems with men’s health, contact our specialists who are engaged not only in the treatment of phimosis, but also in the treatment of prostatitis in men, infertility and impotence.

If you have problems with men’s health, contact our specialists who are engaged not only in the treatment of phimosis, but also in the treatment of prostatitis in men, infertility and impotence.

You can make an appointment by phone: (3812) 31-34-44, 76-45-00 or use the online registration on the website.

90,000 Male circumcision and HIV: here and now (part 2)

28 February 2007.

In the second of three parts of a special series on the issue of male circumcision and its relationship with HIV infection unaids. org reviews the results of ongoing research.

This topic has hit the headlines, sparked discussion and debate, and causes many men to grimace and squeeze their knees nervously. Male circumcision and its relationship to HIV has been one of the most discussed topics in the AIDS response in recent years; however, recent research findings suggest potential changes in male circumcision now and in the future in relation to HIV prevention.

In academia, understanding the relationship between male circumcision and HIV infection is nothing new.For a number of years, AIDS researchers have noted that HIV prevalence rates are lower among many African tribes where male and male circumcision is practiced than other tribes, and the number of AIDS cases among Islamic peoples in Africa, where circumcision is almost universal. much lower than among Christian nations.

To date, all studies in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa have shown that circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection in men.Three series of studies have been conducted that have demonstrated that the chances of contracting HIV among circumcised men through heterosexual intercourse are 50-60% lower.

Research results

The first supporting evidence came in 2005 when a study in South Africa supported by the French

National Agency for AIDS Research (ANRS), entitled Orange Farm Intervention Trial, was discontinued early after it was found that HIV infection rates among randomly enrolled men in the group for circumcision was 60% lower than among men included in the control group.

In December 2006, following the recommendation of the Safety and Data Monitoring Board (DSMB), the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) discontinued at an early stage two similar studies in Uganda and Kenya, as interim results showed a significant effect of circumcision on HIV prevention among men.

A study in Kisumu, Kenya, by researchers from the University of Nairobi, the University of Illinois, Chicago, the University of Manitoba and RTI International, involving 2,784 men aged 18-24 found that the HIV infection rate among circumcised men was 53 % lower than among uncircumcised men.

In Uganda, a study in Rakai by experts from Makerere University, Uganda Institute of Virology, Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University of New York, involving 4996 men aged 15-49, showed that circumcision of adult men reduced the risk of HIV infection by 51 %.

Dr. Anthony Fosey, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, noted that the institute completed both studies at an early stage and recommended circumcision to all men included in the studies.These studies began in 2005 and were to continue until mid-2007.

Biology

Male circumcision involves the surgical removal of the foreskin, the tissue that covers the head of the penis. Previous research has shown that removing the foreskin offers a number of health benefits, including a reduced incidence of urinary tract infections in circumcised infant boys and a reduced risk of certain types of inflammation and health problems associated with foreskin disease.

According to scientists, male circumcision may reduce the risk of contracting HIV because it involves removing the foreskin, which is particularly vulnerable to the virus, and because the area under the foreskin is easily rubbed or damaged during sex. “Uncircumcised men can also be more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, which in turn increases the risk of HIV infection, as the area under the foreskin is a moist and dark place where germs can easily multiply,” said UNAIDS Chief Scientific Adviser d- r Catherine Hankins.

No “miracle cure”

Studies in South Africa, Uganda and Kenya indicate that, in some circumstances, adult male circumcision can be an important addition to HIV prevention strategies for men. “Research shows that male circumcision can reduce an individual’s risk of contracting infection and hopefully the rate of HIV transmission in a population,” said Dr. Fosi of the NIH.

However, experts – including those from United Nations agencies working on the issue – warn that circumcision is not a panacea. Male circumcision does not provide complete protection against HIV infection; it only reduces the likelihood of a man contracting the virus.

Circumcision “is not a miracle cure, but a potentially important intervention,” said Dr. Kevin M. De Kock, Director of the AIDS Department at the World Health Organization.

“Men and women need to understand that circumcised men can still get the virus, and if they are already infected with HIV, they can transmit the infection to their sexual partners,” said UNAIDS ‘Dr Hankins.

Male circumcision cannot replace other known effective prevention methods and should always be considered as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package that includes correct and consistent use of male and female condoms, fewer sexual partners, delayed sexual debut and abstinence from penetrating sex, ”she added.

Safety, Sanitation and Communication

To ensure safety and sterility, male circumcision should always be performed only by trained professionals under conditions of sanitation, informed consent, confidentiality, proper counseling and safety. “If male circumcision is to be recommended, it must be culturally sensitive, and people must be given sufficient and correct information about HIV prevention so that they do not have a false sense of security and risk behaviors,” she said. r Hankins.

These and other considerations for the AIDS response, including the fact that male circumcision can be an expensive intervention, and that new research is needed to determine whether male circumcision reduces the risk of HIV transmission, in particular to female partners and various ethical and human rights issues related to circumcision will be discussed during a consultation on male circumcision, scheduled for March 5 in Geneva at the UN.During the consultation, WHO, the UNAIDS Secretariat and their partners will review the detailed research findings and, if they deem it necessary, provide specific policy recommendations to scale up and / or advocate for male circumcision.

“Male circumcision is a complex issue that often includes difficult discussions about culture, tradition, religion, ethnicity, human rights and gender. This consultation will provide an excellent opportunity to develop debate and policy within the United Nations, ”said Dr Hankins.

References:

Read the three-part series on male circumcision:

Part 1 – Male circumcision: context, criteria and culture
Part 3 – What lies ahead: UN policy and action on male circumcision
Part 4 – International experts review male circumcision

Circumcision | Circumcision of the foreskin of men and boys in Bryansk

Circumcision – the removal of the layer of skin covering the head of a man’s penis is part of the historical tradition of many southern peoples: Jews, Arabs and others.It is believed that the tradition arose for the reason that the removal of the foreskin in countries with hot climates made it possible to prevent inflammatory and infectious diseases of the penis, under the foreskin of which secretions could accumulate. Nowadays, many adult men in the West also resort to this procedure, called “circumcision” in medical circles, also for reasons of hygiene or as indicated by a doctor. You can get circumcised today at the Es Klass Clinic medical center in Bryansk.

Why circumcision

It is performed not only as a tradition. Some members of the stronger sex decide on this operation, because they consider the circumcised penis more aesthetic. In addition, after the removal of the foreskin due to constant friction against the underwear, the head of the organ loses a certain degree of sensitivity, which leads to an increase in the duration of intercourse and does not affect sensations.

For medical reasons, male circumcision is recommended:

• with phimosis, when other methods were ineffective;
• for frequent infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, since the likelihood of infection through the urethra decreases;
• for chronic inflammation of the head of the penis;
• for the prevention of cancer.

How is the procedure

Circumcision of the foreskin is performed under general anesthesia and under local anesthesia in older adults. During the procedure, the fold covering the head of the penis is excised with a scalpel or laser. Then stitches are applied to the incision site and the penis is bandaged. The recovery period after circumcision lasts at least 2 weeks. After their expiration, it is necessary to consult with a surgeon or urologist before resuming intimate life.

Doctors of the Es Klass Clinic Bryansk medical center have extensive experience in circumcision. We use the latest technology to minimize recovery time and minimize pain. You can make an appointment with a doctor and find out what the price of the procedure is by calling and on the website.

90,000 Indications and methods of circumcision in men

Male circumcision – indications and methods

The operation to remove the foreskin of the male penis is called circumcision.It is done for medical reasons or because of national (religious) traditions. Circumcision of the foreskin in men should be carried out only in a medical institution, since the procedure is associated with the risk of complications.

Why circumcision is performed

This procedure has been the subject of controversy among doctors for many years. Someone considers it a “relic of the past”, when the procedure was carried out only according to religious canons, while someone, on the contrary, speaks of its necessity.Whether to circumcise a child is decided on a strictly individual basis after consulting a doctor.

As a result of circumcision surgery, prevention is carried out:

1. Inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. Many boys are diagnosed with phimosis – fusion of the foreskin. If the problem is not solved in childhood, then an adult man is forced to constantly make efforts to push back the foreskin when urinating. This process is accompanied by micro-traumas of the skin with possible infection.The accumulation of urine residues, smegma leads to inflammatory processes, and the removed foreskin reduces the risk of developing pathological processes. Important: smegma has carcinogenic properties. Men with circumcised foreskin are less likely to be diagnosed with penile cancer;
2. Bladder problems. If the foreskin is displaced, then it will block the urethra. The result is a forced retention of urine, which provokes hyperextension of the bladder.

In addition, official research has confirmed that the procedure in question significantly reduces the risk of contracting AIDS. The World Health Organization has recognized circumcision as the prevention of this dangerous disease.

Phimosis in early childhood is the answer to the question of why boys are circumcised. But even if there are medical indications for carrying out the procedure in question, its disadvantages must also be taken into account:

1. The patient may experience painful shock during the operation.It is possible in the case of circumcision without anesthesia, which is practiced with newborn boys.
2. If the foreskin is circumcised during infancy, parents should be careful about glans hygiene. Adult men need to regularly carry out hygiene procedures, since in the absence of the foreskin, contamination and injury to the glans penis is more likely.
3. During the procedure, an adult may experience severe complications – bending of the penis, gangrene, adhesive disease.In addition, sex after circumcision in adult men can become problematic – for example, if the operation was not performed correctly and the penis was bent or the circumcision was performed too “deep”.

More detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of the operation, as well as how and why female circumcision is performed, can be obtained on the pages of our website Dobrobut.com.

How the operation is performed

If there is a medical indication for the procedure, the foreskin is cut around the entire circumference of the glans penis.The surgeon simply cuts off the foreskin and sutures the edges of the wound with self-absorbable suture material.

Modern surgery offers laser surgery. The intervention is characterized by low trauma, no risk of bleeding and gangrene, and a quick rehabilitation period.

The operation itself does not present any difficulties, and the care of the sutures after the operation implies:

• applying a sterile, moderately tight bandage;
• Regular treatment of seams with antiseptic preparations;

90,016 hygiene procedures after each visit to the toilet.

The emerging edema after the operation is considered the norm and is removed with ordinary cold compresses (short-term, literally for 3-5 minutes), antiseptic preparations when processing sutures. In order to avoid the development of inflammatory processes, the patient in the postoperative period receives a course of antibiotic therapy. In some cases, the patient is prescribed vitamin therapy, which will support the body and strengthen the immune system.

Whether or not to be circumcised is up to the man to decide.If the operation is performed in infancy, then the decision is made by the parents. In any case, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of circumcision, consult with a surgeon, urologist and pediatrician.

Related services:
Urological consultation
Urological Check-up

Circumcision of the foreskin at affordable prices in Chelyabinsk

The reasons for circumcision are varied. Someone is told by religion. Someone is guided by considerations of hygiene: smegma accumulates under the foreskin, the risk of infections increases.Sometimes this happens for medical reasons. Circumcision to virtually zero reduces the risk of penile cancer and is also considered to prevent cervical cancer in a sexual partner.

In any case, the operation is a serious matter and it is necessary to prepare for it in advance. The first thing a patient should do is to pass all the necessary tests. Doctors of the CityMed network of expert clinics use the services of their laboratory for this, which greatly facilitates and speeds up the process.

The operation lasts from half an hour to an hour.It is carried out on an outpatient basis almost painlessly for the patient. True, after circumcision, some discomfort may be felt, but it should go away in a couple of days. Doctors of “CityMed” recommend taking time off at work for this time. Do not lift weights during the week. Two weeks after being examined by a specialist, the patient can resume sexual activity.

In some countries, for example, the United Arab Emirates, circumcision is considered a standard operation for newborns and is performed in the first two days of a boy’s life.

In our Multidisciplinary Clinic, the circumcision procedure is done professionally by the best andrologists in Chelyabinsk. Call: +7 (351) 265-55-15

Doctors

Andrologist-urologist, dermatovenerologist. Doctor of the Highest category

Admission fee – 1200

Andrologist-urologist, dermatovenerologist, Ph.MD, professor, chief dermatovenerologist of the Chelyabinsk region

Admission cost – 2000/1800

Cost of services

Circus in Tyumen – Polyclinic them. EAT. Niginsky

If no exposure occurs by the age of 14, phimosis is diagnosed. For adult men, this disease is very dangerous, as it affects the emptying of the bladder. In a mild degree, a man feels discomfort when urinating, in a severe one, urination stops altogether. Phimosis is treated by removing the foreskin. A peculiar complication of this disease is paraphimosis, in which, due to compression of the head by the foreskin, blood access is blocked, from which tissues can die off.

Premature ejaculation. The operation reduces the sensitivity of the glans penis, which can significantly prolong sexual intercourse.

Prevention of genital diseases. The foreskin is often a convenient site for many pathogens of various diseases.

How is circumcision performed?

To avoid infection and unwanted complications, the operation must be performed in a medical facility.

The circumcision procedure begins with the application of local anesthesia. Next, the penis is cleaned with a disinfectant, after which the foreskin is pulled back and removed. The operation ends with the suture of special threads, which do not require removal during healing, but dissolve over time. The penis is additionally covered with a sterile bandage.

The recovery period after circumcision lasts differently, it all depends on the regeneration of the patient’s body. Healing often occurs within 2-5 weeks.Proper care will promote quick and successful healing. Before removing the bandage, it is better to moisten it with hydrogen peroxide so that the adhering tissue does not injure the healed seam. When the ichor appears, the wound must be treated with potassium permanganate. In the first couple of days after circumcision, dressings should be done 3-6 times a day, then – 1 time a day. Complete abstinence from sexual intercourse should be observed for 2 months.

Contraindications

• Abnormal development of the genitals requiring surgical intervention.