Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin. It is generally performed for health and hygiene reasons, as well as for religious or ritual reasons. If you are interested in getting circumcised, read on to learn about the benefits and risks, as well as the healing process.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Understanding Circumcision
Step 1. Know what circumcision is all about
If you decide to get circumcised, a doctor performs a short and relatively simple surgical procedure that involves removing part of the foreskin permanently. After a period of convalescence, the penis heals perfectly and returns to normal, but without the retractable foreskin.
- Generally, circumcision is performed on infants, but sometimes also on consenting adults, usually for aesthetic or religious purposes.
- Circumcision is also recommended for urinary flow problems such as retention or recurring penile infections, as it can help prevent further infections.
- Circumcision does not help prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
- The surgery must only be performed by an authorized doctor or a mohel who has a lot of experience. Under no circumstances should you try to circumcise yourself.
Step 2. Know the procedure
If you opt for this solution, you need to speak to your doctor about the procedure and get a consultation. The intervention includes the following phases:
- The genitals are cleaned and prepared for surgery and will be anesthetized by blocking the function of the dorsal nerve of the penis.
- The cut is made on the foreskin on the upper side of the penis with scissors, while a second cut is made on the underside of the penis, incising the foreskin around the edge of the ridge below the glans.
- The edges of the foreskin are pulled back and the blood vessels sutured with stitches or with diathermy, which involves using electric current to cauterize the ends of the vessels.
- Finally, the edges of the foreskin are sewn and the penis is tightly bandaged to begin the recovery period.
Step 3. Understand the benefits
Although there are many medical benefits to being circumcised, even if not confirmed, the truth is that most of these procedures are performed for religious or aesthetic reasons. Circumcision is believed to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections and penile cancer. Some adults who choose circumcision do so for hygienic reasons, as an uncircumcised penis is more difficult to keep clean and less sexually attractive.
- Actually, the effective reduction of the risks of these diseases is quite limited: urinary tract infections and penile cancer are quite rare pathologies in men, while sexually transmitted diseases are highly infectious if safe sex is not practiced.
- In less frequent cases, circumcision is performed to correct a phimosis or a narrowed foreskin, if acute inflammation of the glans occurs due to balanitis or paraphimosis, which cause the foreskin to narrow.
Step 4. Know the risks
Essentially, circumcision involves the voluntary mutilation of the genitals by cutting off the most sensitive anterior tip of the foreskin. As with any surgery, complications could arise. Generally circumcision is done on newborns, while for adults it involves a significant period of discomfort and convalescence. Many men also claim that it severes nerve endings in the penis and can irreversibly affect sexual stimulation.
In adults this practice is a matter of personal choice and is a rather controversial topic. Many circumcised adults are thrilled with the results, others complain. Whatever you decide to do, carefully consider the benefits, the risks and decide what is best for you
Step 5. Look for a hospital or clinic in your area to perform the surgery
If you prefer a private consultation, ask your doctor for advice. Contact a hospital and speak to a urologist to get a second opinion on the potential risks, benefits, and to get a description of the procedure and healing process.
- In a teenager or an adult, circumcision is usually done under anesthesia and recovery takes about two weeks.
- Some hospitals do not perform surgery on adults, unless there is a medical reason. If you want to get circumcised, be prepared to have to search different hospitals to find the one that performs the procedure.
Step 6. Prepare for surgery
Organize yourself so that you can give yourself the rest period necessary to recover from the operation, which can usually be up to two weeks. If you are being circumcised for religious reasons, use the time available to complete all the rituals associated with the practice. Consult with members of your religious community for information and advice.
Part 2 of 3: Healing from Circumcision
Step 1. Keep the area clean and dry
When you wash, cover your genitals with a waterproof bandage for the first few days and make sure you keep the area very clean when using the bathroom. The wound must remain dry to facilitate rapid healing.
- Your doctor will give you more specific instructions and direct topical medications to apply, but in general the important thing is to keep your genitals clean and dry as much as possible.
- You may be catheterized for a few days after surgery to help keep your penis dry. The doctor will remove the catheter once the healing phase has begun.
Step 2. Wear comfortable cotton underwear
Change it every day to keep the area very clean. Also make sure you wear loose clothing in the genital area to allow air to circulate freely. Avoid tight jeans and consider wearing cotton shorts or other loose fitting clothing.
You can use petroleum jelly to prevent clothing or gauze from sticking to the area
Step 3. Take your medications as directed by your doctor
You will likely be prescribed a pain reliever cream or other topical ointment which you will need to apply regularly as directed. It is advisable to add some petroleum jelly to the area to avoid chafing during convalescence.
Part 3 of 3: Get your Son Circumcised
Step 1. Evaluate the implications of circumcision
In many countries it is common practice to circumcise newborns in hospitals within the first few days of birth, as the procedure and recovery are faster and relatively painless. You have to choose if you want to let your child make the decision once they grow up or if you want the surgery to be done immediately in the hospital.
Talk to the urologist or pediatrician. Generally, the intervention is quick, recovery times are relatively short and cleaning operations are simple
Step 2. Keep the area clean
Avoid using wet wipes or other cleansers and wash your baby only with warm, soapy water for the first few days.
Some pediatricians recommend keeping the penis covered, others say leaving it in the air to promote healing. If you wish, you can wrap a bit of gauze around the penis, first dabbing it with a little petroleum jelly to prevent painful tearing
Step 3. To organize the Brit milah (Jewish circumcision) ceremony, find a Mohel (Jewish circumcision)
Brit milah typically takes place outside the hospital. To organize this ritual, talk to the rabbi or another contact person from your religion.
Advice
There are alternative techniques that "do not involve bleeding". An Israeli company has created a plastic device called PrePex which is placed on the glans to protect it while another tool puts pressure on the foreskin to cut off the blood supply. This procedure requires 6-8 weeks of convalescence
Warnings
- Refrain from sexual intercourse and masturbation for a couple of weeks after the circumcision.
- Your child may be resentful if you go through the procedure without their consent; make sure you only get him circumcised if you are truly willing to lose his trust and love.
- Many boys who have been circumcised have complications and may resent their parents.
- Don't get circumcised, unless it's really necessary.
- If you decide not to have your child circumcised (better choice), teach him to groom himself when he reaches 10 years of age.
