Adult Circumcision: Medical Indications and Procedure

Medical Reasons for Adult Circumcision

The most common medical reasons for an adult circumcision include:

• Phimosis: The inability to retract the foreskin over the head of the penis. This can cause pain during erections, be a source of sexual pain, and make hygiene difficult.
• Paraphimosis: A medical emergency where the retracted foreskin gets stuck behind the head of the penis and cannot be pulled forward, cutting off blood flow. Circumcision is often recommended after treatment to prevent recurrence.
• Recurrent Balanitis: Chronic inflammation or infection of the head of the penis, which is more common in uncircumcised men. Removing the foreskin can help resolve the issue by keeping the area dry and clean.
• Reducing STI Risk: Studies have shown that circumcision can reduce a man's risk of acquiring HIV and some other STIs like HPV and herpes.

The Circumcision Procedure

Adult circumcision is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, meaning the area is numbed but you are awake. The surgeon will remove the foreskin using one of several techniques and then use dissolvable stitches to close the incision. The procedure itself usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery is straightforward but requires careful wound care for the first couple of weeks.

• You will have swelling and bruising, which is normal and will subside over a few weeks.
• Pain is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
• You will need to keep the area clean and may need to apply an antibiotic ointment.
• You must abstain from sexual activity, including masturbation, for about 4 to 6 weeks to allow the incision to heal completely.
• You can typically return to a desk job within a few days, but should avoid strenuous activity for about a week.