Description of the procedure

The foreskin is the fold of skin that covers the end of the penis. Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes the foreskin. It is often performed just after birth, but may also be done later in life.

When should this procedure be performed?

Circumcision is an permanent procedure. If the decision is made for circumcision, typically doctors perform this procedure on the baby shortly after birth. However, some men who were not circumcised earlier in life may consider cicumcision as an adult. Before having the procedure, it is important to understand the risks and benefits.

Why is this procedure performed?

Whether or not parents decide to circumcise their baby boy is often based on many factors, including cultural, religious, personal, and medical reasons.

Some medical sources find that circumcision may:

• slightly lower the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• decrease the number of urinary tract infections early in life
• decrease the risk of cancer of the penis
• prevent problems related to the narrowing of the foreskin (e.g., phimosis) and inflammation of the foreskin (e.g., balanitis)
• make cleaning the penis easier and more thorough for babies and young boys (however, learning how to clean an uncircumcised penis is not difficult and achieves the same level of personal cleanliness with just a little more attention)

Are there any risks and precautions I should know about?

Although circumcision is generally considered safe, it does have some risks. The most common risks are:

• bleeding
• infection
• pain

Rarely, the foreskin may be cut too long or too short. If this happens, another procedure to improve the appearance may be necessary. Another possible risk is damage to the penis, which may occur if there is a problem during the procedure.