Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the skin covering the tip of the penis. It can be done after the newborn period but that is a more complex procedure. In Malaysia, circumcision is usually done as a religious ritual, especially for Muslim boys during their teenage years. Recently more and more men will go for circumcision for personal hygiene and preventive healthcare purposes. Circumcision does have its benefits.
What are the benefits of circumcision?
There are benefits of having circumcision:
- Personal hygiene
An uncircumcised penis tends to provide an environment for pathogens/bacteria to grow. Even though boys/men were taught to clean the area underneath the foreskin, most men will not clean it each time after urinating. Thus, cleaning will be easier if circumcision is being done.
- Reduce the risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections (STD/STI)
Most studies have reported that uncircumcised men are more susceptible to STD than those who are circumcised. This is because the foreskin provides a favorable environment for bacteria/viruses/fungus to grow. However, circumcised men are still at risk of getting STD if they do not practice safe sex.
- Reduce the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI)
Even though it is uncommon for a man to get a urinary tract infection. However, most studies show that UTIs are more common in uncircumcised men.
- Prevent Future Penile Problems
Some men will experience recurrent balanitis which is an infection of glan of the penis. It has been shown that circumcision helps to reduce recurrent balanitis. Circumcision also can help to prevent penile issues like phimosis and paraphimosis.
- Reduce the risk of penile cancer
- Improve sexual satisfaction
Circumcision will have the benefit of prolonging ejaculation time which may make a circumcised man can last longer in bed
- Reduced pain during sex
Studies show that circumcised men experience less pain during sex than uncircumcised men. Having foreskin put men at a higher risk of feeling pain during sexual activity due to friction and causing abrasions or tear
Who Needs Circumcision?
- Men who have phimosis issues need to undergo circumcision as phimosis is a medical emergency. Thus, circumcision can help prevent phimosis from happening.
- Men with recurrent balanitis
- Men with redundant foreskin. A redundant foreskin means that the foreskin is too long and will cause infection and inflammation easily
Circumcision Technique
- First Generation Technique:
A surgeon will apply local anesthesia to reduce pain and use a blade to remove the foreskin. However, this first-generation circumcision technique holds many disadvantages. For example, this circumcision technique often causes an uneven cut, increased risk of infection and the surgical wounds are larger.
- Second Generation Technique:
Second Generation circumcision techniques emerged during the middle of the 20th century. These techniques use rings, clamps, and other tools to provide a more mechanical procedure. However, this technique still has the disadvantages of bleeding, high risk of infection and the device cuts are too tight that will leave a lifelong complication.
- Third Generation Technique:
The latest technique is Stapler circumcision. This technique is faster and easier to perform. With stapler circumcision, the cut will be more precise and less complicated. There is also less bleeding and recovery time is shorter compared to the previous technique. The recovery time is typically 10 days and the stapler will fall off by itself.
What to expect after stapler circumcision?
You will expect some edema and bruises after circumcision. It is normal to have some blood oozing from the edge of an incision. The recovery will take roughly 10 days. Your doctor will follow up closely until the wound is healed.
