Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Circumcision

Circumcision is a procedure to remove the skin that covers the tip of the penis (the foreskin). This is the flap of skin that can usually be pulled back over the head of the penis.

Sometimes circumcision has to be carried out for medical reasons. This may be because the foreskin is damaged or infected and won’t slide back over the head of the penis. Only around one in every 100 men need a circumcision for medical reasons, but the number of circumcisions carried out in the UK is roughly six times higher than this.

Sometimes circumcision is carried out for religious reasons. Other cultures practice circumcision because they think the foreskin is unhygienic, unnecessary, or causes health problems.

Many people have strong views on whether circumcision should be carried out or not. It isn’t routinely performed in the UK because there is no clear clinical evidence that it is has medical benefit. Some studies suggest circumcision may help to prevent cancer of the penis and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). However, good personal hygiene, not smoking and practicing safe sex are more important.

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