Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the skin outside the tip of the penis. This procedure is usually performed for health and hygiene reasons as well as for religious and ritual purposes. If you're interested in circumcision, read on about the benefits and risks and plans for recovery.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Understanding circumcision

1. 

   Understand the procedure of circumcision. If you decide to be circumcised, your doctor will perform a quick, relatively simple procedure to permanently remove the scalp of the penis. After a period of recovery, the penis will heal normally, but there is no outer skin that could slide down as before.
   • In general, circumcision is usually performed on infants, but can also be performed on adults, often for cosmetic or religious purposes.
   • Circumcision is also recommended when you have urinary problems such as urinary retention or recurrent yeast infection on the penis, as it helps prevent infection.
   • Circumcision does not help prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
   • Circumcision should only be performed by a licensed doctor. Never undergo self circumcision in any case, as a slight negligence can be dangerous.

2. 

   
   
   Learn about surgical procedures. If you do decide to get circumcised, talk to your doctor and make an appointment for a consultation. Basically, the trick consists of the following steps:
   • The genitals will be washed and prepared for surgery. You will be anesthetized with a back nerve conduction inhibitor.
   • The doctor uses scissors to cut the skin above the tip of the penis, a second incision will be made below, cutting off the skin surrounding the tip of the penis.
   • The edges of the skin are pulled back and blood vessels are tied with sutures or electrolysis, which is the use of electric current to burn the ends of blood vessels.
   • Eventually the skin edges are stitched and the penis will be tightly bandaged for the healing process.

3. 

   
   
   Understand the benefits. Although there are many unconfirmed medical benefits, the truth is that most circumcision is performed for religious and aesthetic purposes. Circumcision is believed to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections and penile cancer. Some circumcised adults for hygienic reasons believe that an uncircumcised penis will be more difficult to keep clean and "less attractive" than when it was circumcised.
   • Circumcision reduces the risk of urinary tract infections by up to 90%.
   • Circumcision helps to reduce the risk of foreskin, penile and prostate cancer, while also reducing the risk of HIV infection by 60%.
   • Circumcision helps a female partner to reduce the risk of infection with HPV virus and cervical cancer.
   • Circumcision does not rule out the possibility of a sexually transmitted infection. Remember to practice sex safety, and always wear a condom.
   • In more rare cases, a circumcision is also performed to treat foreskin stenosis, acute glaucoma or constriction of the foreskin due to a stenosis.

4. 

   
   
   Understand the risks. Basically, the procedure of circumcision is the voluntary removal of part of the genitals, removing the most sensitive end of the outer skin of the penis. Like any other non-urgent surgery, circumcision has a risk of complications. Usually performed on infants, adult circumcision is often uncomfortable and inconvenient during recovery.
   • For adults, circumcision is a personal and controversial choice. Many people with circumcision expressed satisfaction, while others complained. You should weigh the pros and cons to make the right choice for you.

5. 

   Check the hospitals and medical facilities in your area. If you want private advice, seek the advice of a treating doctor. Contact the hospital and speak with your urologist to hear more about the benefits and risks, and learn about procedures and recovery.
   • For teenagers and adults, the procedure is usually done with anesthesia and takes 2 weeks to recover.
   • Some hospitals do not perform circumcision unless for medical reasons.If you do decide to get circumcised, you need to find out a few places to have the procedure.

6. 

   Prepare for the procedure. Make sure to take the time to recover, maybe up to 2 weeks. If you are circumcised for religious reasons, make use of the time before surgery to complete the ritual involved. Consult with other members of the religious community for advice and guidance.

Part 2 of 3: Recovery from circumcision

1. 

   Keep the genital area clean and dry. Cover the wound with waterproof material in the shower for the first few days and keep it clean when using the bathroom. The wound needs to be dry to heal.
   • Your doctor will give you more specific instructions and give the medication topical, but generally keep the surgical area as clean and dry as possible.
   • You may have a catheter placed for a few days after surgery to help dry your penis. The doctor will remove the catheter after the wound has healed.

2. 

   Wear loose cotton underwear. Change underwear during the day to keep the genital area clean. Wear loose-fitting underwear as well to help circulate the air well. Avoid tight jeans, and consider cotton shorts or other loose pants.
   • You can apply Vaseline medically to prevent the wound from getting on clothing or gauze.

3. 

   Take medication as directed. Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers or other ointments. You need to use it as often as directed. You can also apply petroleum-distilled wax (vanilla) to avoid scratches during recovery.

Part 3 of 3: Circumcision for young children

1. 

   Consider the complications of circumcision. This procedure is usually performed in the hospital a few days after the baby is born, and is complete with a fast and relatively painless recovery. Consider whether to let your child decide later or whether to be circumcised in the hospital.
   • Talk to the obstetrician and pediatrician. In general, the procedure will be performed quickly, the recovery time is quick, and the hygiene for the child is also relatively simple.

2. 

   Keep the wound clean. Avoid wiping with wet paper towels or other cleaning solutions. Dry your baby with warm soapy water for the first few days.
   • Some pediatricians recommend covering the baby's genitals, while others recommend leaving the baby open to heal. If you want to cover a layer of gauze over your child's genitals, you should first apply a little petroleum-distilled wax to avoid painful scratches.

3. 

   To arrange for Bris (the ritual of circumcision for Jewish children), look for Mohel (who specializes in Jewish circumcision). The Bris ritual is usually not performed in a hospital but in a private location. To arrange Bris, talk to your rabbi or other religious counselor.

Advice

• There is another "non-bleeding" circumcision. An Israeli company called PrePex develops a plastic device that puts pressure on the foreskin to cut off blood supplies. Recovery will take about 6 weeks to 2 months.

Warning

• Avoid having sex or masturbation for a few weeks after surgery.
• In adults, postoperative erections can be a problem. Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor and follow their advice. You should also direct your thoughts to something else, especially early in the morning.
• Tell your doctor about your allergy history before having your circumcision procedure.
• Sometimes there is edema around the tip of the penis during the first 12 hours. If this is the case, you should tell your doctor. Your doctor can give you advice about exercise or medication.
• Do not circumcise unless it is necessary.
• Remember that if the child is not circumcised, wash only the exposed parts, not the foreskin. If you decide not to circumcise your son, you need to teach your child to clean himself when he is about 10 years old.