What To Know If You’re Considering Adult Circumcision

Whether the reasons are cultural, religious, health-related, or just due to personal preference, more than 70% of men are circumcised in the United States.

While many males are circumcised just after birth, adult circumcision is also an option for men who do not undergo the procedure as babies.

If you were not circumcised as a baby and are considering having the procedure as an adult, the expert team at Gulf Coast Urology in Houston and Nassau Bay, Texas, want you to know there are a few things you should consider.

Reasons for adult circumcision

Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis. While it’s not a complicated procedure, recovery does take longer in adults than in babies. Adults who choose to have the procedure may do so for any number of reasons.

Religions, such as Judaism and Islam, for instance, include circumcision as part of their standards. Circumcision can also lower your risk for contracting HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, herpes, and human papillomavirus.

Circumcision may also lower your chances of getting a urinary tract infection. Furthermore, circumcision may be necessary if the foreskin is very tight and is causing chronic inflammation in the foreskin or penis.

The procedure

Adult circumcision is done under general anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep and won’t feel anything during the surgery, which should take about 30 minutes.

Your surgeon will move the foreskin away from the head of the penis, measure how much skin needs to be removed, and then use a scalpel to cut away the excess skin. The remaining skin will then be stitched back to the penis with dissolvable sutures.

The recovery

You’ll experience pain, swelling, and bruising following your surgery, but ice packs should help keep the swelling down. You should keep the dressings on the site clean and dry to avoid infection, and you should wear loose-fitting clothes for a few days. Healing usually takes 2-3 weeks, and you should plan to be off work for a week or so.

You should be able to begin walking a day or two after your surgery, but you should keep any movements low-impact and slow. You’ll likely be able to exercise normally about four weeks after the surgery, but you should hold off on any sexual activity until about six weeks after your surgery.

If you’re considering an adult circumcision, our doctors at Gulf Coast Urology would be happy to meet with you and review your options. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Gulf Coast Urology today.