The Masterpiece Mom

Home » Misc » Who does circumcision

Who does circumcision


Circumcision (male) - Mayo Clinic

Overview

Penis before and after circumcision

Before circumcision, the foreskin covers the tip of the penis (glans). After circumcision, the tip of the penis is exposed.

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis. The procedure is fairly common for newborn boys in certain parts of the world, including the United States. Circumcision after the newborn period is possible, but it's a more complex procedure.

For some families, circumcision is a religious ritual. The procedure can also be a matter of family tradition, personal hygiene or preventive health care. For others, however, circumcision seems unnecessary or disfiguring.

Products & Services

  • Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
  • Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years

Why it's done

Circumcision is a religious or cultural ritual for many Jewish and Islamic families, as well as certain aboriginal tribes in Africa and Australia. Circumcision can also be a matter of family tradition, personal hygiene or preventive health care.

Sometimes there's a medical need for circumcision, such as when the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back (retracted) over the glans. In other cases, particularly in parts of Africa, circumcision is recommended for older boys or men to reduce the risk of certain sexually transmitted infections.

Circumcision might have various health benefits, including:

  • Easier hygiene. Circumcision makes it simpler to wash the penis. However, boys with uncircumcised penises can be taught to wash regularly beneath the foreskin.
  • Decreased risk of urinary tract infections. The risk of urinary tract infections in males is low, but these infections are more common in uncircumcised males. Severe infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later.
  • Decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections. Circumcised men might have a lower risk of certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Still, safe sexual practices remain essential.
  • Prevention of penile problems. Occasionally, the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis can be difficult or impossible to retract (phimosis). This can lead to inflammation of the foreskin or head of the penis.
  • Decreased risk of penile cancer. Although cancer of the penis is rare, it's less common in circumcised men. In addition, cervical cancer is less common in the female sexual partners of circumcised men.

The risks of not being circumcised, however, are not only rare, but avoidable with proper care of the penis.

Circumcision might not be an option if certain blood-clotting disorders are present. Also, circumcision might not be appropriate for premature babies who still require medical care in the hospital nursery or for babies born with abnormalities of the penis.

Circumcision doesn't affect fertility, nor is circumcision generally thought to enhance or detract from sexual pleasure for men or their partners.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Risks

The most common complications associated with circumcision are bleeding and infection. Side effects related to anesthesia are possible as well.

Rarely, circumcision might result in foreskin problems. For example:

  • The foreskin might be cut too short or too long
  • The foreskin might fail to heal properly
  • The remaining foreskin might reattach to the end of the penis, requiring minor surgical repair

How you prepare

Before circumcision, the doctor will explain the risks and benefits of the procedure. Whether you're planning to have your son circumcised or you're pursuing circumcision for yourself, you'll likely need to provide written consent for the procedure.

What you can expect

During the procedure

Newborn circumcision is often done in the hospital nursery, usually within 10 days after birth.

For newborn circumcision, your son will lie on his back with his arms and legs restrained. After the penis and surrounding area are cleansed, an anesthetic will be injected into the base of the penis or applied to the penis as a cream. A special clamp or plastic ring will be attached to the penis, and the foreskin will be removed.

Afterward, the penis will be covered with an ointment, such as a topical antibiotic or petroleum jelly, and wrapped loosely with gauze. The procedure generally takes about 10 minutes.

Circumcision is similar for older boys and adults. However, the procedure might need to be done under general anesthesia, recovery might take longer and the risk of complications might be greater when done later in life.

After the procedure

It usually takes seven to 10 days for the penis to heal. The tip of the penis is likely to be sore at first, and the penis might look red, swollen or bruised. You might notice a small amount of yellow fluid on the tip of the penis as well.

If your newborn is fussy as the anesthetic wears off, hold him gently — being careful to avoid putting pressure on the penis.

It's OK to wash the penis as it heals. For newborns, change the bandage with each diaper change, and apply a dab of petroleum jelly to the tip of the penis to keep it from sticking to the diaper. Change your baby's diaper often, and make sure the diaper is loosely fastened.

If there's a plastic ring instead of a bandage, it will drop off on its own — usually within about a week. Once the penis heals, wash it with soap and water during normal bathing.

Problems after circumcision are uncommon. Contact the doctor if:

  • Normal urination doesn't resume within 12 hours of the circumcision
  • There's persistent bleeding
  • There's foul-smelling drainage from the tip of the penis
  • The plastic ring remains in place two weeks after the circumcision

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Related

Products & Services

Circumcision: Treatment, Risks, Benefits, Recovery

Overview

What is circumcision?

Circumcision removes the foreskin covering the glans (head) of the penis. Usually, babies undergo circumcision shortly after birth. Circumcision began as a religious rite. Today, people get circumcised for religious, medical and cultural reasons.

Many baby boys get circumcised, usually within the first week of life. Adults can get circumcised as well, though it’s less common.

What is the foreskin?

The foreskin is a piece of skin that covers the round tip of the penis. When a baby is born, the foreskin is completely attached to the penis. Over time, the foreskin separates from the head of the penis and is able to be retracted, or pulled back. Sometimes, the foreskin doesn’t separate when it should and remains tight, a condition called phimosis. Usually phimosis requires further intervention or circumcision to correct it.

How common is circumcision?

Circumcision is the most common surgery among males. In the United States, up to 60% of baby boys are circumcised. Around the world, the rate is about 33% of males. The highest rates of circumcision are in the U. S., Middle East and South Korea. It’s much less common in Europe, other parts of Asia and South America. Jewish and Muslim people perform circumcision as part of their religions.

When are most circumcisions performed?

Typically, circumcisions happen a day or two after birth, in the hospital. It’s best to do it as soon as possible. Delaying the procedure can make it riskier.

In the Jewish faith, circumcision (also called a bris) gets performed when a baby is 8 days old. Other cultures perform circumcision at a later age.

Who performs a circumcision?

A urologist, obstetrician or pediatrician can do the circumcision on the newborn in the hospital. A healthcare provider can also perform it later, in the office. In a bris, a trained professional called a mohel performs the circumcision.

Procedure Details

What happens before a circumcision?

Your provider may recommend giving the baby some acetaminophen to help with pain relief. In most cases before the procedure, the person doing the circumcision will:

  1. Place the baby on his back.
  2. Gently restrain the baby’s arms and legs, so his limbs don’t flail during the procedure.
  3. Clean his penis.
  4. Apply an anesthetic, either an injection or a cream, so the baby won’t feel pain.

What happens during a circumcision?

The person doing the baby’s circumcision:

  1. Separates the foreskin from the head of the penis.
  2. Uses a scalpel to remove the foreskin.

What happens after a circumcision?

Immediately after removing the foreskin, the person doing the procedure applies ointment and wraps the penis in gauze.

How long does circumcision take?

The entire procedure takes approximately 20 minutes. Often, a bris takes less time.

Is circumcision painful?

Like any surgery, circumcision can cause some pain. But using pain medications and anesthetics can reduce discomfort. These can help both during the procedure and afterward.

Can an adult get circumcised?

Yes. People who were not circumcised as babies may choose to undergo circumcision as an adult. Generally, the procedure is the same for older boys and adults as it is for babies.

You’ll likely have the procedure in the hospital, using anesthesia. The surgery may take slightly longer than it does for infants. You will need stitches after the circumcision, too. Your healthcare provider will talk to you about recovery, including when you can resume having sex.

Risks / Benefits

What are the risks of circumcision?

Circumcision is a routine, safe procedure. As with any surgery, there are some risks, though. These include:

  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Reaction to anesthesia.
  • Pain.
  • Cutting the foreskin too long or too short.
  • Irritation on the tip of the penis.
  • Meatitis (inflamed opening of the penis).

In rare cases, the foreskin doesn’t heal properly and can adhere to the end of the penis (penile adhesion). If that happens, the child may need a second procedure.

What are the benefits of circumcision?

Circumcision has several benefits. Not only does it help aspects of penis health, but it can improve hygiene. That’s because a circumcised penis is simpler to clean and wash, especially for children.

The specific health benefits of circumcision include a lower risk of:

  • Certain penis conditions: · These penile disorders include balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin), paraphimosis and phimosis, when the foreskin gets stuck out of place.
  • Cervical cancer for partners: Female sex partners of circumcised men are less likely to get cervical cancer.
  • Penile cancer: Men who had circumcisions are less likely to get cancer of the penis.
  • Sexually transmitted infections: Men who had circumcision have a lower risk of certain STIs, including HIV.
  • Urinary tract infections: UTIs are more common in uncircumcised males.

Who should not have a circumcision?

Your provider may recommend delaying circumcision or not doing it at all if your baby:

  • Has medical concerns.
  • Has physical problems with the penis that may need surgery. (Sometimes, surgeons will need the foreskin to correct the problem.)
  • Was born prematurely.

###

Recovery and Outlook

How long does it take to recover from circumcision?

Recovery from circumcision takes about eight to 10 days. While the penis heals, it may look swollen and red. You may see a yellow film at the tip.

How do I take care of my baby’s penis after a circumcision?

Your healthcare provider will explain how to take care of the circumcised penis. You’ll need to:

  • Apply Vaseline at each diaper change.
  • Use pain relief your provider recommends, including frequent breastfeeding or medications for infants.
  • Wash the area gently as it heals.

If the penis doesn’t seem to be healing correctly or you have concerns, call your healthcare provider.

Does circumcision affect fertility or sexual pleasure?

Circumcision doesn’t affect fertility (ability to produce a biological child). And researchers believe it doesn’t hurt or enhance sexual pleasure.

When to Call the Doctor

When should I call a healthcare provider after a circumcision?

Call a healthcare provider if you see signs that the penis isn’t healing well, such as:

  • Frequent bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop.
  • Leaking with a foul odor.
  • Urination not resuming in 12 hours.

Additional Details

Should I have my baby circumcised?

Several major medical associations recommend offering circumcision as a choice for parents. These groups include the American Urological Association (AUA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Both organizations believe that circumcision has benefits as well as risks. Ultimately, the decision is personal, with the groups suggesting that parents decide. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about the pros and cons. You can then make the decision that’s right for you.

If you do choose circumcision, the AAP recommends that the healthcare provider use pain medication.

What should I know if I choose not to circumcise my child?

If you choose not to have your son circumcised, talk to your healthcare provider. They’ll explain how to keep the penis clean. During the first few years of life, the foreskin will stay attached to the penis and won’t retract. Don’t force it back. Once your son is old enough, teach him how to clean the penis and foreskin.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Circumcision in baby boys is a very common procedure. There are several benefits to circumcision, including making the penis easier to clean. Circumcision can also reduce or prevent certain diseases, like urinary tract infections. As with any surgery, circumcision comes with some risks. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the circumcision procedure and if it’s the right choice for your baby.

Male circumcision: context, criteria and culture (Part 1)

After male circumcision and its relationship to HIV infection made headlines and sparked heated debate around the world, the first three-part special series, www. unaids.org on this subject, which explores in more detail the historical, traditional and increasingly social reasons for male circumcision in various parts of the world. nine0004


Male circumcision is one of the oldest and most widespread surgical procedures, traditionally a sign of cultural identification or religious importance.

Historically, male circumcision was practiced by the ancient Semitic peoples, including the Egyptians and peoples of the Jewish faith; The very first inscriptions depicting circumcision have been found in an Egyptian temple and in wall paintings dating back to around 2300 BC. nine0004


As surgery progressed in the 19th century and population mobility increased in the 20th century, the procedure was introduced to some cultures that did not previously practice circumcision, either for health or social reasons.

According to current estimates, about 30% of all men in the world - about 670 million men - are circumcised. Of these, about 68% belong to the Islamic faith, less than 1% to the Jewish faith, and 13% are non-Muslim and Jewish Americans. nine0004

“With recent evidence that male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection for men, this practice is receiving renewed attention as the world tries to understand what it will mean in terms of HIV prevention,” said Chief UNAIDS Scientific Adviser Dr Katherine Henkins. "Analysis of the determinants of male circumcision and the acceptability of the practice in other communities allows us to better see how these latest research findings can be further exploited." nine0004


Religious practice

In the Jewish religion, boys are traditionally circumcised on the eighth day of life, unless there are medical contraindications. The justification given in the Jewish holy book Torah is that a covenant was established between Abraham and God, the outward sign of which is the circumcision of all male Jews. The Torah says, “This is My covenant, which you must keep between Me and between you and among your descendants after you: that all male sex be circumcised among you” (Genesis 17:10). Male circumcision is still an almost universal practice among the Jewish people. nine0004

The largest religious group practicing male circumcision is Islam. As followers of the Abrahamic faith, Islamic nations practice circumcision as their relationship with God; they call this practice tahera, meaning purification. After the global spread of Islam from the 7th century AD. male circumcision became widely practiced among other peoples who had not previously used this practice. There is no clearly prescribed age for circumcision in Islam, although the Prophet Muhammad recommended circumcision at an early age and is said to have circumcised his sons on the seventh day after birth. Many Muslims perform this ceremony on this day, although a Muslim can be circumcised at any age from birth to puberty. nine0004

Coptic Christians in Egypt and Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, the two oldest forms of Christianity in existence, retain many of the traditions of early Christianity, including male circumcision. Circumcision is not prescribed by other forms of Christianity. In the New Testament, St. Paul wrote, “For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has power in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 5:6), and in the Papal Bull of 1442, the Roman Catholic Church says that male circumcision is optional: "Therefore, all who give praise in the name of a Christian are strictly ordered not to practice circumcision either before or after baptism, because, whether they believe it or not, this rite cannot be observed without losing eternal salvation." Focus group discussions on male circumcision in sub-Saharan Africa did not produce a clear consensus on the compatibility of male circumcision with the Christian faith. Some Christian churches in South Africa oppose the practice as a pagan ritual, while others, including the Nomian Church in Kenya, require circumcision for their members; focus group discussion participants in Zambia and Malawi noted similar beliefs that Christians should practice circumcision because Jesus was circumcised and the Bible teaches the practice. nine0004


Ethnic factors

Circumcision has been practiced for other, non-religious reasons for many millennia in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as by many ethnic groups around the world, including the Aborigines and Mayatheans, Australasians and Australasians. America, the Philippines and eastern Indonesia, and various Pacific islands, including Fiji and the Polynesian Islands.

In most of these cultures, circumcision is an integral part of the male initiation rite, although it may originally have been a test of courage and endurance. “Circumcision is also associated with factors such as masculinity, social cohesion with boys of the same age circumcised at the same time, self-identification, and spirituality,” explains Dr. Hankins. nine0004

The ethnographer Arnold Van Gennep, in his Rites of Initiation (1909), describes the various initiation rites that are found in many circumcision rituals. They include three stages: separation from ordinary society; the period during which the new initiate undergoes a transformation; and, finally, reintegration into society in a new social role.

“The psychological explanation for this process is that the ambiguity of social roles creates tension, and as a person approaches the stage of transition from child to adulthood, a symbolic new classification is required. This is supported by the fact that many rituals give a specific meaning to circumcision that justifies its purpose in this context,” says Dr. Hankins. For example, some ethnic groups, including the Dogon and Dowayo in West Africa and the Khosa in South Africa, believe that the foreskin is the female element of the male penis, and that its removal (along with passing certain tests) turns the child into a man. nine0004

For many ethnic groups, tradition plays an important role. Among ethnic groups in southern Nigeria's Bendel state, 43% of men said their motivation for circumcision was to uphold traditions. In some communities where circumcision is the norm, there is discrimination against uncircumcised men. It is unacceptable for the Lunda and Luwale in Zambia or the Bagisu in Uganda to remain uncircumcised, and as a result forced circumcision of older boys is not uncommon. Among the Khosa tribe in South Africa, uncircumcised men may be subjected to extreme forms of punishment, including intimidation and beatings. nine0004


Circumcision as a social status


The social causes of male circumcision are becoming more common. “Where most boys are circumcised, the desire to conform to the norm is an important motivation for circumcision,” says Dr. Hankins.

A study in Denver, USA, where circumcision is performed shortly after birth, found that parents, especially fathers of newborn boys, cite social reasons as a major factor in choosing circumcision (eg, not wanting their son to “look like that”). ", as Father). nine0004

In the Philippines, where circumcision is almost universal and is usually performed between the ages of 10 and 14, a survey among boys found that two-thirds chose to be circumcised simply "to avoid being uncircumcised", and 41% said it was "part of the tradition". Social reasons were also cited as the top reason for circumcision in South Korea, where in one survey, 61% of respondents indicated that they would be laughed at by their peers if they were not circumcised. nine0004

The desire to “be one's own” is also a major factor explaining the high rate of circumcision among men immigrating to Israel from other countries where the practice did not exist (mostly from the former Soviet Union).

Socioeconomic factors influence the prevalence of circumcision in a number of countries, especially in countries where the practice has recently emerged, such as English-speaking industrialized countries. When did the practice of male circumcision first appear in Britain in the late 19th - early 20th century, it prevailed mainly among the upper classes of society. In the US, data analysis for 4.7 million circumcised infants between 1988 and 2000 also indicated a significant association with private insurance and higher socioeconomic status.


Estimated health and sexual benefits


0004 in the industrialized world was driven by perceptions of improved hygiene and reduced risk of infection.

In a 1983 US study of newborns, mothers indicated that hygiene was the most important factor in choosing their sons to be circumcised; in Ghana, circumcision is considered the cleansing of a boy after birth. Increased hygiene was also noted by 23% of 110 circumcised boys in the Philippines and South Korea; The main reasons for circumcision were to "improve sexual hygiene" and to prevent the development of penile cancer and the spread of sexually transmitted infections and HIV (71% and 78%, respectively). In Nyanza Province, Kenya, 96% of circumcised men and 97% of women, regardless of their attitude towards male circumcision, noted that, in their opinion, it is easier for circumcised men to maintain hygiene.

Circumcision can also be motivated by sexual attractiveness and activity. In a survey of boys in the Philippines, 11% indicated that they thought women enjoyed having sex with a circumcised man, and 18% of men in a study in South Korea said circumcision increased sexual pleasure. In Nyanza Province, Kenya, 55% of uncircumcised men thought women enjoyed sex with circumcised men. Likewise, most women thought that sex with circumcised men was more attractive, although it is likely that most women in this province have never had sexual intercourse with a circumcised man. In northwestern Tanzania, young men believed that circumcision increased sexual pleasure for both men and women, and in Westonaria, South Africa, about half of the men indicated that women preferred circumcised men. nine0011


Expected increase in demand


Global estimates for 2006 indicate that approximately 30% of men - about 670 million - are circumcised.

With recent research showing that circumcised men have a much lower risk of contracting HIV, demand for safe and affordable circumcision is expected to increase rapidly.

“Because male circumcision is currently considered effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection, it is essential that men and women understand that this procedure does not provide complete protection against HIV infection,” said Dr. Hankins, emphasizing that these issues will be addressed during an international consultation on Male Circumcision and HIV Prevention: Implications for Policy and Programmes, to be held in Montreux on 6-8 March 2007. “Male circumcision should be seen simply as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package that includes the correct and consistent use of male and female condoms, reducing the number of sexual partners, delaying sexual initiation, and abstaining from penetrative sex. Just as combination treatment is the best strategy for treating HIV, combination prevention is the best strategy to avoid getting or transmitting HIV,” she added. nine0011

“Action is needed to improve the safety of circumcision practices in many countries and to ensure that health professionals and the public have up-to-date information on the health risks and benefits of male circumcision,” said Dr. Hankins.

Links:

Read the three-part series on male circumcision:

Part 2 - Male circumcision and HIV: here and now
Part 3 - Looking Ahead: UN Policy and Action on Male Circumcision
Part 4 - International Experts Analyze Male Circumcision

FOREST CIRCUMITION. WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS MAN?

Circumcision is perhaps one of the most delicate and controversial topics in male urology. The decision whether or not to circumcise a boy's foreskin depends not only on religious considerations and individual preferences of the patient himself, but sometimes also on medical indications. What you need to know before you decide to be circumcised, Medical Journal DNA Health says Oleg Staroverov, a pediatric urologist-andrologist, head of the pediatric urology-andrology department of the G. N. Speransky Children’s Clinical Hospital, winner of the National Prize “Vocation”, Candidate of Medical Sciences.

— Oleg Vasilyevich, what is circumcision? Who usually resorts to this operation?

— Circumcision is a surgical procedure to circumcise the foreskin. This sonorous name itself comes from the Latin word and denotes one of the oldest operations that has been carried out by mankind since ancient times. Circumcision of the foreskin today is performed for two main indications. In the first case, this is done for purely religious reasons. Circumcision is performed by people professing Judaism and Islam. For the Jews, the need to perform such an act is clearly indicated in the Bible, therefore, on the eighth day after birth, the boy is supposed to perform a circumcision. There is no clear indication of this in Islam (for example, there is not a word about it in the Koran), but in Islamic countries it is an ancient tradition to circumcise boys (usually at an early age). nine0011

The second case already refers to medical indications: in case of certain diseases and pathologies of the foreskin, this has to be done to maintain health.

— For which diseases is it necessary to sacrifice the foreskin?

DNA health reference

Phimosis (ancient Greek φῑμός - muzzle) - the impossibility of exposing the glans penis. In boys under 7 years of age, phimosis may be a variant of the norm. However, at an older age, phimosis requires the help of a specialist. nine0197

— First of all, this is cicatricial phimosis, in which the foreskin is reborn, due to which the glans penis does not open, and the foreskin itself undergoes some external changes. It is impossible to cure this pathology by conservative methods; it is necessary to circumcise the foreskin.

Another indication for circumcision is common phimosis, which is the narrowing of the foreskin. Phimosis is physiological. With him, in fact, most often boys are born: in babies up to a certain age, the head of the foreskin is not yet able to open, and only with time does the maturation of the structures of this area occur, after which the head begins to open. Say, by the age of four, in 60-80% of boys, this process is already happening on its own. Therefore, such a physiological process does not require any intervention, and even vice versa: rough attempts to open the foreskin and bring the glans penis outward can lead to the formation of a cicatricial process. In this case, the operation already becomes inevitable. By the way, this can happen not only because of gross manipulations with the foreskin, but also when, as a result of repeated inflammation of the foreskin, the child develops the so-called balanitis, which then leads to the formation of a scar. As a result, surgeons also have to excise the foreskin. nine0011

— Why is incomplete opening of the glans penis dangerous?

- First of all, because hygiene suffers as a result: a secret accumulates under the head, and bacteria can get there. As a result, inflammation of the glans penis and foreskin occurs, which is called balanoposthitis, or balanitis. The inflammatory process requires mandatory treatment. Sometimes conservative therapy is enough, and sometimes you can not do without surgical intervention by circumcision of the foreskin. nine0011

— Can phimosis be prevented? What needs to be done for this?

— First of all, parents should remember that one should not rudely interfere with the intimate physiology of a child at an early age, one should not forcibly try to open the head of the penis. These processes should flow naturally. And the second point concerns hygiene. From the first days of life, a boy needs to be washed daily, he needs to change diapers on time and try to carefully monitor that his intimate area is not infected. nine0011

— In what situations can phimosis be treated with conservative methods, and when is surgery necessary?

— If the patient has cicatricial phimosis, i.e. his foreskin has cicatricial changes, then it will not be possible to avoid the operation. In this case, conservative measures almost never help. But you should not be afraid of such an intervention, since this is a fairly simple operation. As a rule, after it the patient is completely cured.

But physiological phimosis does not always require surgery. For example, there is often a relative narrowing of the foreskin. This is most often seen in teenagers. With such a moderate narrowing, the glans penis in a calm state may well be brought out, but during an erection, when the penis increases in size, the internal opening of the foreskin may not be enough for the glans penis, which can lead to its infringement. The foreskin forms a kind of noose that squeezes the young man's penis, which leads to pain during an erection. There are two ways to solve the problem, depending on the desire of the patient himself or his parents: we can either perform circumcision (circumcision) or plastic surgery of the foreskin. Plastic surgery is also an operative method of treatment. The method consists in the surgical increase in the inner diameter of the foreskin. Outwardly, it remains absolutely normal, unchanged, just after the operation it no longer interferes with the calm removal of the glans penis. Which of these two methods to prefer, as a rule, is decided by the parents and the child himself, if he is already old enough to make such decisions. With certain religious preferences, people are more likely to choose circumcision. If there is a desire that externally the sexual organ looks the way nature intended, then we perform plastic surgery of the foreskin. nine0011

— What can happen if phimosis is not treated in time?

— A complication of phimosis or poor hygiene of the penis is inflammation of the foreskin and glans penis, or balanoposthitis. This is a fairly common disease in boys. It is treated conservatively, if there are no cicatricial changes. Various antibacterial ointments are used, sometimes baths with various antibacterial or emollients. For the prevention of urethritis, uroseptics are sometimes prescribed. nine0011

DNA health help

Uroseptics are drugs that suppress infection in the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and renal pelvis. By origin, they are vegetable (natural) and chemical. Perhaps the most famous herbal uroseptics are lingonberries and bearberries.

If the cause of balanitis is cicatricial phimosis, then after the inflammatory process subsides, as a rule, circumcision of the foreskin is performed. In order to avoid complications, this operation is best done in a planned manner. Rarely, when it is required to resort to urgent surgical treatment in the acute period against the background of the inflammatory process. It is better to stop the inflammation first, and only then plan the circumcision. nine0011

— What is the best way to perform a circumcision? Does the use of a laser or other modern methods increase the effectiveness of treatment?

— There are quite a few methods for performing circumcision of the foreskin. As I said, this is one of the oldest operations, and perhaps even the very first, that mankind began to carry out.

In the Jewish community, for example, even today there are even special so-called "cutters" who deal exclusively with this procedure. They do it pretty well. Muslims do not have such specially trained people. In this environment, much depends on the well-being of people and their traditions. Muslims can perform circumcision of boys both in the hospital and in facilities that are sometimes specially designated for circumcision. Among the poorest segments of the population, sometimes the father himself takes upon himself the obligation to circumcise his son if he does not have the opportunity to seek medical help. nine0011

The operation is inherently simple, especially when the tools are in expert hands. How exactly to intervene is of fundamental importance. It can be a laser, a radio wave knife or an ordinary scalpel. The choice of instrumentation practically does not affect the final result of the operation.

— Still, some complications can arise? Why is this happening?

- Complications after circumcision can be, as after any operation. But they are rare, especially if the intervention is performed in a hospital setting by an experienced surgeon or urologist.

Learn more