- What is it for
- How is the surgery done
- How is recovery
- What is female circumcision
- Possible risks of circumcision
Circumcision is the surgical act of removing the foreskin in men, which is the skin that covers the head of the penis. Although it started as a ritual in some religions, this technique is increasingly used for hygiene reasons and can even be used to treat penis problems, such as phimosis, for example.
Usually, the surgery is done in the first days of life, when this is the wish of the parents, but it can also be done later, if it serves to treat a case of phimosis that does not improve with other treatments or in adults who want to remove the foreskin. However, the later the surgery is performed, the more complicated the procedure is and the greater the risk of complications.
What is it for
From a medical point of view the benefits of circumcision are not yet well defined, however, some goals of circumcision appear to be:
- Decrease the risk of infections in the penis; Decrease the risk of urinary infections; Facilitate the hygiene of the penis; Decrease the risk of passing and catching STDs; Prevent the appearance of phimosis; Decrease the risk of cancer of the penis.
In addition, there are also several cases in which circumcision is performed only for religious reasons, as in the Jewish population, for example, which must be respected.
How is the surgery done
Circumcision is usually performed at the hospital under local anesthesia by a pediatrician, urologist or surgeon trained in the procedure. In cases where the surgery is done for religious reasons, the procedure can also be done by another professional trained in circumcision, but the ideal is always to perform the surgery at the hospital.
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 recovery
Although the surgery is very fast, recovery is a little slower, and may take up to 10 days. During this period, it is common for some discomfort to appear in the penis area, and therefore, in children, it is possible to notice an increase in irritability.
In the first few 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 must be maintained by washing the area at least once a day with warm water and soap. Then, you should cover with a clean dressing, especially in the case of babies who are still wearing diapers, to protect them from feces.
In adults, in addition to cleaning the penis, the main precautions include avoiding intense physical activities 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, there is no female circumcision, 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 a change caused in the genitals of the woman that does not bring any health benefit and that can even cause serious complications such as:
- Severe bleeding; Severe pain; Urinary problems; Increased chances of vaginal infections; Pain during sexual intercourse.
For these reasons, this procedure is not performed frequently, being more present in some tribes and indigenous populations of countries in Africa and Asia.
According to the WHO, female mutilation must be abolished because it does not bring real benefits to the health of women and can cause several changes at a physical and psychological level.
Possible risks of circumcision
Just like any other surgery, circumcision also has some risks, such as:
- Hemorrhage; Cut site infection; Pain and discomfort; Delayed healing.
In addition, some men may experience a decrease in the sensitivity of the penis, as some nerve endings are removed along with the foreskin. However, this change is not mentioned by all the men who did the procedure.
To avoid serious complications, it is advisable to go to the doctor if, after the surgery, symptoms such as severe pain, bleeding from the surgery site, difficulty urinating, fever or excessive swelling of the penis appear.
