Circumcision

Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin in men, which is the skin that covers the head of the penis.

Although it started as a ritual in some religions, circumcision is increasingly used for hygienic reasons as well as for the treatment of phimosis.

Circumcision surgery is usually performed after 2 years of life, in cases of phimosis, when there is no possibility of exposing the glans, even after treatment with ointments. However, it can also be performed later, as long as health risks are discarded after evaluation by the urologist.

what is it for

The main benefits of circumcision are:

• Decreases the risk of penile infections;
• Decreases the risk of urinary infections;
• Facilitates the hygiene of the penis;
• Decreases the risk of passing and catching STD’s;
• Prevents the appearance of phimosis;
• Decreases the risk of penile cancer.

In addition, there are also several cases in which circumcision is done only for religious reasons, as in the Jewish population, for example, which must be respected.

How is the surgery done

Circumcision is usually performed in the hospital under local anesthesia associated with sedation when necessary, as in the case of children and more anxious patients, for example, and the procedure must be performed by a urologist.

Removing the foreskin is relatively quick, taking between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the characteristics of the penis and the doctor’s experience.

how is the recovery

Although the surgery is very quick, the recovery is a little slower, taking up to 10 days. During this period, it is common for some discomfort to arise in the penis region, and therefore, in children, it is possible to notice an increase in irritability.

In the first days it is normal for the penis to be slightly swollen and with purple spots, but the appearance improves over time.

To avoid complications, especially infections, regular penile hygiene should be maintained, washing the area at least once a day with warm water and soap. It can be covered with a clean dressing, especially in the case of babies who still use a diaper, to protect them from feces.

In adults, in addition to cleaning the penis, the main precautions include avoiding intense physical activity in the first 2 to 4 weeks and avoiding sexual contact for at least 6 weeks.

What is female circumcision

From a medical point of view, female circumcision does not exist, as this term is used to refer to the removal of the foreskin from the penis. However, in some cultures there are girls who are circumcised to remove the clitoris or the skin that covers it.

This procedure can also be known as female mutilation, since it is an alteration caused in the woman’s genitals that does not bring any health benefit and can even cause serious complications such as:

• Severe bleeding;
• Intense pain;
• urinary problems;
• Increased chances of vaginal infections;
• Pain during intercourse.

For these reasons, this procedure should not be performed, being present only in some tribes and indigenous populations of countries in Africa and Asia.

According to the WHO, female mutilation should be abolished because it does not bring real benefits to women’s health and can cause various physical and psychological changes.

Possible risks of circumcision

Just like any other surgery, circumcision also has some risks, such as:

• Bleeding;
• Infection of the cut site;
• Pain and discomfort;
• Delay in healing.

In addition, some men may experience a change in the sensitivity of the penis, which is recovered after a few weeks after surgery.

To avoid serious complications, it is advisable to go to the doctor if, after surgery, symptoms such as severe pain, bleeding from the surgery site, difficulty urinating, fever or exaggerated swelling of the penis appear.