Is It Healthy To Be Circumcised?
Is It Healthy To Be Circumcised?
Circumcision is a quick and simple surgical procedure that is done to remove the foreskin of the male penis. It is performed at different ages although in most cases it is done during adolescence. The procedure has a few risks such as bleeding. However, it is accompanied by a number of health benefits for males.
Health Benefits of Circumcision
1. Reduces risk of inflammation and infection
Getting circumcised helps reduce inflammation and infections that in most cases affect the head of the penis. Such infections make the penis appear scarred. An example of such conditions include balanitis xerotica obliterans.
2. Prevents Paraphimosis
This is an infection that affects the foreskin. Once a person has this infection, the penis cannot return to its original position, in case it is pulled back. As a result, the head of the penis may become inflamed and painful. The condition can also cause restriction of blood flow. Circumcised men are not at any risk of having this infection.
3. Reduces the risk of penis cancer
Penile cancer is a rare condition that mostly develops in adult men. The infection results to symptoms such as ulcers and red patches either on the penis head or beneath the foreskin. Since the condition is sometimes associated to the foreskin, getting circumcised helps to reduce the risks.
4. Reduces the risk of Phimosis
This is a condition characterized by a tight foreskin. If a person has this condition, the foreskin becomes too tight to cover the glans. As a result, the victim may experience pain during an erection. Pain may also be experienced during urination, making it difficult to pass water.
5. Hygiene
Circumcision is highly associated with hygiene. People who are circumcised are able to maintain cleanliness of the penis, unlike those who are not circumcised. For uncircumcised men, cleaning the penis beneath the foreskin may be difficult. In such cases, dirt may accumulate within the foreskin which may lead to infections.
6. Reduces the risk of contracting HIV
A comprehensive research on the transmission of HIV through sexual intercourse shows that circumcised mean have a low risk of transmitting HIV from an infected woman during sex as compared to uncircumcised men.
The research shows that for uncircumcised men, the foreskin may attract a lot of fluids during sex unlike circumcised men who lack the foreskin.
7. Lowers risk of genital herpes
Circumcision has been found to lower the risks of contracting genital herpes, including other human papillomavirus by up to 30% or more.
Circumcision also lowers the risk of urinary tract infections, since most of urinary tract infections for young males are associated to the foreskin. Circumcision has proven to be effective in reducing such infections. It is also known to help in reducing the risk of contracting other sexually transmitted infections.
Irrespective of circumcision having numerous health benefits it may be accompanied by few complications, which disappear shortly. Most of these complications have also been reduced and are rare. They may include:
- Pain during the procedure and healing period
- Bleeding
- Discomfort
- Swelling
- Changes in the color of the glans
- Decrease in the size of the penis
- Irritation during the healing period
The Bottom Line
It is advisable for all men to undergo a circumcision to get the health benefits listed above.However, it’s always important to consult a doctor for advice before you undergo the procedure.
