Boys are born with an excess retractable hood of skin that covers the glans (head) of the penis, namely foreskin. As per recent study, it was found that if the foreskin from the penis head is not removed, not only can it lead to several penile problems, it can also increase the chance of becoming prone to prostate and penile cancer. Thus, circumcision these days is becoming immensely popular, specially amongst the new born babies and youth.
What is Circumcision?
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the excess foreskin from the tip of the penis. It is performed for various reasons, including religious ritual, aesthetic act, disease prevention and protection, etc. In the most common form of circumcision, the penis foreskin is extended with forceps and a device may be placed, post which the foreskin is excised.
Why is Circumcision Required?
Are you suffering any penile problems? Are you dealing with irritations, inflammations or pain in the foreskin? This can be a serious health concern and cannot be neglected. If natural home remedies and medications fail to cure these conditions, circumcision surgery becomes the only left option to get a permanent cure. Some of the common penile problems that needs immediate surgical help are explained below:
Phimosis: It is a common type of genitourinary disease concerning the foreskin of the penis. In this condition, the foreskin of the penis becomes too tight such that it cannot be pulled over the glans (head) of the penis. Phimosis is characterized by pain during urination and intercourse and thus requires immediate treatment.
Paraphimosis: It is also a common foreskin related issue wherein the retracted foreskin of the penis cannot be brought back to its original position to cover the penis head (the glans). This condition is caused due to the growth and stiffness of the foreskin. This urological condition is life-threatening because the blood supply to the glans of the penis gets reduced. If paraphimosis is left untreated, it can restrict the blood supply to the penis which will cause the tissues in the penis to die leading to impotency.
Balanitis: This genitourinary condition is characterized by swelling of the penis glans. This is a skin disorder caused by bacteria due to the accumulation of perspiration on the penis head. The common symptoms of balanitis include pain, redness, swelling and a foul-smelling discharge from underneath the foreskin of penis.
Balanoposthitis: This is another type of urological condition werein both the glans of the penis and foreskin expand at the same time. This disease name is derived from two words, balanitis (inflammation of the glans) and posthitis (inflammation of the foreskin).
Types of Circumcision
Open surgery: It is a conventional procedure of circumcision which is also referred to as Dorsal Slit Technique. In this process, the surgeon makes several incisions with the help of a knife along the upper length of the foreskin and then removes it. Thus, the glans of the penis become exposed. However, this type of circumcision surgery is risky as it is associated with a number of postoperative complications. Mostly, the patient experiences pain and swelling in the penile region after the surgery. Also, since the surgery involves multiple incisions, cuts, sutures, the open circumcision surgery is more prone to infections. Sometimes, if the surgery is not performed by an expert surgeon, blood can collect under the skin, resulting in a hematoma. Meanwhile, the downtime of open surgery is extremely long. Mostly, the patients who undergo open circumcision surgery, take 5-7 weeks to completely recover. If any infection occurs, the recovery period may take a longer time than this.
ZSR Circumcision: This type of circumcision is variably known as stapler circumcision. During the process, a stapler device is used to cut the foreskin from the head of the penis with utmost precision. The stapler instrument leaves a silicon ring to keep the foreskin in its place that falls off on its own after a few days. It is a better, efficient and comparatively safer and advanced procedure than open circumcision surgery. ZSR circumcision comparatively takes lesser time (35-40 minutes procedure) and inflicts minimal pain. Depending on the type of anaesthesia injected, the patient is discharged and allowed to go home within 6-12 hours of the procedure. The recovery period of ZSR circumcision is lesser as compared to the open surgery and takes around 1 week for complete recovery. However, during this recovery phase, the patient needs to be a little cautious and follow all the precautions diligently as suggested by the urologist. Although it is an advanced procedure, yet not the best procedure because even this surgery can lead to infection if proper precautions are not taken.
Laser circumcision: This is the most advanced circumcision technique available at the moment. Unlike open and ZSR circumcision surgery, laser circumcision does not carry out any major incisions or cuts on the foreskin. During the laser circumcision, a diode that emits a high intensity laser beam is used to cut the foreskin from the head of the penis, such that no jabbed ends are left. The procedure involves minimal bleeding and minute pain because the laser beam does not affect any other neighbouring tissues. Also, it is a 100% safe procedure for every age group. Laser circumcision takes 10-15 minutes and the patient gets discharged within 4-5 hours. The recovery period for laser circumcision is 2-3 days and involves minor precautions.
Health Benefits Associated with Circumcision
- 1. Prevention of penile problems: The major benefit of circumcision is that it provides 100% prevention against phimosis, paraphimosis, balanitis, balanoposthitis, etc. Since the glans are exposed and the foreskin is cut from the penis tip, there are no risks of retraction or inflammation related issues.
- 2. Reduced risk of cancer: A recent study has found that circumcision provides a protective effect against prostate and penile cancer. Also, the study suggested that men who were circumcised when they were older than 35 years of age decreased the rate of cancer by 45%. Also, for men who were circumcised within 1 year of birth, the prostate cancer decreased by 14%.
- 3. Lower risk of HIV: The studies suggest that circumcision offers protection against HIV AIDS. The study revealed that circumcised men reduce the risk of getting infected with HIV by as much as 60% because circumcision helps in maintaining overall hygiene and thus reducing the rate of fatal infections entering the body.
- 4. Fewer medical conditions: A new published study found that most of the uncircumcised men contract an adverse medical condition caused by their foreskin over their lifetime. The study said that the benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks of the procedure 100 to 1.
- 5. Lower risk of infection: As per the conclusion derived from multiple studies, it was found that uncircumcised boys are more likely to contract Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) than circumcised boys. It was concluded that the risk of infection becomes less than 88% in circumcised boys.
- 6. Easy hygiene: Circumcised men find it simpler to wash the penis. However, boys with uncircumcised penises find it difficult to maintain the genitourinary hygiene because washing beneath the foreskin becomes tough.
How to Boost the Circumcision Healing Process?
Intake 7-8 litres of water everyday and also increase the consumption of other healthy fluids. Consume coconut water and other fresh juices as much as possible to keep yourself hydrated and restore the pH of the urine.
– Wear fitted underwear that can keep the penis in place rather than loose fitting one. The loose underwear can cause discomfort and pain if there is a dressing on the penis.
– Restrain yourself from doing any kind of strenuous physical activities that put pressure on the lower body. These activities include lifting weights, climbing stairs, swimming, etc. Indulging yourself in such rigorous physical activities can result in soreness, swelling and prolonged healing of the penis.
– Do not consume or apply unprescribed cream, ointment, medication or sedative. This can cause a reverse reaction on the wound and cause scarring or infection of the penis. In case you are experiencing unbearable pain or discomfort, immediately get in touch with your medical expert.
– Keep the penile region dry and clean. Maintaining proper hygiene by changing the dressing regularly will boost the healing process. After two days of the laser circumcision procedure, you can take a bath, however avoid applying any kind of soap or scrub on the operated area.
– Do not engage in sexual intercourse until you have healed from the operation completely. This means, the patient should restrain from intercourse for 2-3 weeks. Indulging in sexual activities before complete healing is done, it can cause infection around the incisions or complications related to the penis.
– Follow all the precautions and intake all the prescribed medications diligently and on time to boost the healing process and avoid complications
Is Circumcision Covered Under Health Insurance?
Circumcision surgery, if recommended to cure foreskin or penile problems, including phimosis, paraphimosis, balanitis or balanoposthitis and has been documented by the surgeon as a medically needful procedure for the patient, is covered under health insurance. However, if the circumcision is performed as an act of religious or for aesthetic purposes, the insurance companies might not cover it under the insurance policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the latest method of circumcision?
The most latest and advanced method of circumcision these days is laser surgery. Laser circumcision is becoming immensely popular these days because it involves precision, minimal pain, low risk of infection and less or no blood.
Is circumcision painful?
No, laser circumcision is a procedure that involves minimal pain. The procedure is performed under the influence of anaesthesia hence the patient does not feel any pain. After the surgery, if the patient feels pain or discomfort, the same is taken care of with the help of painkillers.
Does circumcision increase size?
Multiple studies have been conducted and it has been concluded that circumcision does not influence the penile length. However, circumcision helps to get rid of multiple penile problems, including phimosis, paraphimosis, balanitis and balanoposthitis.
What is the best age of circumcision surgery?
The best age to get circumcision surgery is between the ages of one and three months old. This is the age that has been most comfortable in recovery after the surgery. However, circumcision can be performed at any age for both personal and medical reasons, but it is recommended that it should be performed by an expert surgeon with the latest technology, like lasers.
How circumcision prevents HIV?
Circumcision reduces the risk of HIV because it removes the tissue in the foreskin that is particularly prone to the virus and because the area under the under the foreskin gets easily scratched or torn during sex.
How long does circumcision take to heal?
It usually takes 8-10 days for you to heal. Mostly, it has been advised that the patient should take at least 1-2 weeks of bedrest to boost the recovery process.
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