Circumcision - Procedure & Benefits Of It!

Circumcision means a surgical procedure for the removal of the foreskin (tissue that covers the head of the penis). The surgery should ideally be performed at a young age. If it is performed on an older child or on a man, chances of infection go up.

Sometimes circumcision becomes necessary for medicinal reasons like-

• Balanitis (foreskin swelling)
• Phimosis (inability to retract the foreskin)
• Paraphimosis (a person cannot return the retracted foreskin to its original place)
• Balanoposthitis ( swelling of the tip the penis)

Some other reasons why some men undergo circumcision-

• Aesthetics
• Lowering the risks of penis-related ailments

How is circumcision performed?

The surgery is performed under partial anaesthesia (administered through an injection or a cream that numbs the penis). There are three methods (Gomco clamp, Plactibell device and morgen clamp). Any of them may be followed to perform circumcision. Circulation is cut off to the foreskin so that it does not bleed during surgery. Then the surgeon snips off the foreskin using sanitized instruments. The surgery takes around 15-20 minutes.

The pain and swelling usually subside in 5 days.

Recovery after circumcision-

If you are an adult who has undergone a circumcision, your doctor will suggest medicines that will ease the discomfort and pain following. You can get back to work within a couple of days. Rigorous activities like jogging or weight lifting should be avoided. You should also refrain from sexual activities for at least six weeks after the surgery.

In the case of circumcision on children, your child may continue to be fussy and irritated for a few days post-surgery. Ensure that the diaper is loose enough to allow the penis to heal. However, if the pain does not subdue or if there is trouble urinating and there is blood in the urine, contact your doctor immediately.

Benefits of circumcision-

It is a widely prevalent myth that circumcision makes a man infertile. It has no effect at all on a man’s fertility. There are several advantages of circumcision but all of them take effect when the child reaches puberty. The medicinal benefits of circumcision are-

• Helps maintain genital hygiene
• Lowers risks of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV
• Reduces risks of cervical cancer in the female sex partner
• Reduces the risk of penile cancer

Circumcision is a safe and minor surgery that is performed mainly in adherence to religious diktats but also for health purposes.