Why Are Men Circumcised?

In infancy, the most common reason parents elect for circumcision is so that their child can “look like their father.” A cultural preference for circumcision is also a leading reason for circumcision. As adults, some men feel that a circumcised penis is easier to clean and elect for circumcision for hygienic reasons. Finally, some men (and their partners) simply prefer the cosmetic appearance of a circumcised penis.

Does a Circumcision Improve Your Sex Life?

A hotly debated topic! While not a universal phenomenon - certainly in some men it does. Surveys have shown that circumcision can improve self-esteem and confidence in relation to sex. Some men report enhanced sensation, orgasmic and ejaculatory pleasure with sexual stimulation following circumcision.

What Do Women Think About a Circumcised Penis?

Also a hotly debated issue and every couple is different. In a recent survey reported in Women’s Health Magazine, about 60% of women reported a preference for a circumcised penis over an uncircumcised one, 30% had no specific preference, however only 3% favored an uncircumcised penis. Curious? Ask your partner....

Revision Circumcision 

In some cases, men who have already undergone circumcision, either as a child or adult, are unhappy with the cosmetic result. Common concerns include redundant or residual skin, asymmetry, excessive scaring or skin tension, visible suture impressions in the skin and adhesion of the skin to the head of the penis. In many cases, a circumcision can be successfully modified to enhance the cosmetic and functional appearance of the penis.

Benefits & Risks of Circumcision

Benefits:
Evidence for the benefits of circumcision includes a decreased risk of urinary tract infections and some sexually transmitted diseases in men. Circumcision protects against penile cancer and reduces the risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners. Circumcision prevents against painful and inflammatory conditions of the foreskin (balanitis) and eliminates the risk of developing difficulty retracting or manipulating the foreskin (phimosis) or getting it trapped behind the head of the penis (paraphimosis).

Risks:
All surgical interventions are associated with some degree of risk, including circumcision. Generally speaking, circumcision is considered minor surgery and is a relatively low risk operation. Relevant risks to consider include infection, bleeding, injury to the urethra or head of the penis (glans), removing too much or too little skin and possible sensitivity changes to the skin.
Importantly, cosmetic circumcision does not influence the size of the penis or diminish quality of erections.

Preparing For Circumcision

Preparing for a circumcision is simple. Shower the morning of the procedure and clean the penis and foreskin well. There is no need for shaving or hair removal in advance of the procedure. Wear comfortable closing with athletic supportive underwear to the procedure. Depending on the type of anesthetic used during the procedure you may be asked not to eat or drink prior to the circumcision.

Adult Cosmetic Circumcision Procedure

A circumcision is simply the removal of the skin (foreskin) that covers the head (glans) of the penis, followed by the careful re-approximation of the skin edges behind the head of the penis. Depending of the complexity of the procedure and the type of anesthetic used, a cosmetic circumcision typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. All procedures are performed as day surgery with patients typically being discharged about an hour after the procedure. There is no need for a prolonged stay in the hospital or clinic. Adult cosmetic circumcisions are typically performed using only local anesthetic. Sedation (a light sleep) or general anesthesia are also options according to patient preference.

At the time of the circumcision, the penis is examined and carefully marked to determine the precise amount of skin to be removed. Avoiding redundancy or excessive skin tension is critical. Following removal of the sleeve of foreskin, the remaining edges of the penile skin are carefully re-approximated with dissolvable sutures. A light pressure dressing is applied to the penis to minimize bruising or swelling during the recovery period.

Following Cosmetic Circumcision Surgery

Following surgery, patients are discharged with a prescription for pain medicine and a short-term antibiotic to prevent infection. Patients should remove the light pressure bandage 24hrs after surgery and begin to apply Polysporin ointment to the incision each day for about 1 week. Patients can shower 48hrs after the operation.

The sutures or stitches will dissolve on their own over the next 3 weeks. During the recovery period, avoid sexual intercourse and masturbation for approximately 4 weeks. Patients should only engage in light activity for the first  7-10 days. Heavier activity and exercise can typically begin about 2-3 weeks following surgery. A follow up appointment with the doctor is typically scheduled 4 weeks following the surgery.