Circumcision is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of foreskin that covers the penis tip. Most circumcisions are performed on males shortly following birth, however some men enter adulthood with their foreskin intact. There are many reasons that a man may consider being circumcised as an adult, including medical concerns, religious or cultural preferences, improved physical hygiene, and a desire to enhance sexual performance.
Dr. Giunta has over 30 years’ experience in male genital surgery, including performing thousands of adult circumcisions. He is known for his high level of surgical care and patient education. If you have questions about Dr. Giunta’s adult circumcision procedure, call him today to schedule a personal consultation.
Should You Get Circumcised or Not?
There are a number of reasons to perform a circumcision as an adult if your parents did not have the circumcision procedure performed for you during your infancy.
Some of those reasons are:
- A decreased risk of urinary tract infections.
- A reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases in men.
- Protection against penile cancer and a reduced risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners.
- Prevention of balanitis which is inflammation of the glans (head of the penis) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin).
- Prevention of the inability to retract the foreskin (phimosis) and the inability to return the foreskin to its original location (paraphimosis).
- Circumcision also makes it easier to keep the end of the penis clean.
Please note that circumcision should never replace frequent checkups, good hygiene and practicing safe sex by using condoms/birth control. Circumcision of the penis does not guarantee you will not contract an STD or infection.
What are the Risks of Adult Circumcision?
If your parents chose not to have your penis circumcised as a baby and you are deciding whether to have the procedure done as an adult, it’s always wise to know the pros and cons of having a circumcision performed. Circumcision is a simple surgical procedure with few potential complications, but it is still surgery and can have some side effects.
The most common potential challenges with circumcision of the penis are:
- Pain
- Risk of bleeding and infection at the site of the circumcision
- Irritation of the glans
- Increased risk of meatitis (inflammation of the opening of the penis)
- Risk of injury to the penis
The Adult Circumcision Procedure
The adult circumcision procedure is performed with the patient under general anesthesia, and a local anesthesia is also used to numb the penis. The procedure involves the foreskin of the penis being retracted and then trimmed from the penis.
There are a few surgical techniques that may be used to remove the foreskin: the guided forceps method, the dorsal slit method and the sleeve method. With the guided forceps method, Dr. Giunta will use forceps to pull the foreskin forward over the end of the penis, where it is then snipped away. The dorsal slit method involves the doctor making a small incision at the top of the foreskin from which point it will be pulled back and then trimmed away from the penis. The sleeve method involves an incision made around the base of the penis, at which point the foreskin will be released from the penis and removed. Pressure and/or an electric current will be used to control bleeding. Disposable sutures are then used to close the incisions.
Adult Circumcision and Recovery
After surgery, the penis will be bandaged to keep it clean and free of infection. This bandage will be removed 24 to 48 hours after surgery, after which time loose-fitting underwear should be worn. Patients should gently wash the groin area using soap and water every day for the first week, to prevent infection. Typically, patients can return to work after one week. Sexual activity and masturbation should be avoided for six to eight weeks post-surgery.
If you have any further questions about penis circumcisions as an adult please contact Dr. Giunta toll-free (within the U.S. only) by calling 855-868-5566 or 703-845-7400, or fill in our form on the right to request an appointment.