What Is Adult Circumcision Surgery?
Approximately 79% of American men are circumcised, according the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) Many men are circumcised as infants, but others choose circumcision later in life. Adult circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis.
Adult Circumcision Advantages
Many men choose to be circumcised for cultural, health, or religious reasons. For some men, it is simply a personal preference. Some men believe circumcision improves their sexual experience, although studies are mixed. Circumcision has been shown to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, genital ulcers, type 2 herpes, human papillomavirus, and chlamydia. Circumcision also reduces the risk of HIV transmission in heterosexual men, but it is not a s
ubstitute for safe sex practices. Medical reasons for circumcision include penile cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and phimosis, a condition in which the foreskin is tight and hard to retract.
What Is The Procedure?
The procedure can be performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital, and you will receive either local or general anesthesia. In most cases, it’s much less expensive to have circumcision performed under local anesthesia, an important consideration since insurance does not usually cover the surgery unless it is done to treat phimosis or an infection.
The surgeon retracts the foreskin of the penis and trims it off, then places small, absorbable sutures to close the wound. If you have an adult circumcision, you will be able to return home on the day of your surgery, although you penis may be bruised and swollen for several days afterwards. A dressing will be place over your penis after the procedure, and you will be able to remove it at home when soaking in a warm bath. You may have pain for a day or so after the procedure, but your surgeon will give you medications to reduce your discomfort. Although the swelling will resolve in about two weeks, you should avoid masturbation and sex for 4 to 6 weeks, depending upon your surgeon’s instructions.
If you are considering circumcision, call us for a consultation. All men considering this procedure should see a physician for a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits.