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Why is it necessary? of Circumcision

In the UK, circumcision is generally only carried out for emergency medical conditions. Doctors often disagree on when circumcision should be carried out at all, and many view it as a last resort treatment. It may be recommended in the following cases:

  • Phimosis:

Phimosis is when the foreskin is very tight can’t be pulled back over the head (glans) of the penis.  It is normal for the foreskin to be attached to the head of the penis in boys up to about the age of 5, and parents shouldn’t try to pull it back because this can cause pain or injury. Usually by the age of 6 the foreskin has separated by itself and can be pulled back.

In some boys, phimosis can continue up to the age of 10, and sometimes into adulthood. Circumcision isn’t needed for phimosis under the age of 6, but may be considered after this if the foreskin is damaged. This is usually happens as a result of severe or repeated infections. However, watchful waiting is often enough, as the majority of foreskins loosen themselves naturally, and true phimosis (see below) only accounts for about 1% of cases.

Some boys have a rare form of phimosis called true phimosis. This is usually a congenital condition (present from birth), which stops the foreskin being pulled back at all. It can also develop after lots of infections of the foreskin and head of the penis. True phimosis is normally treated with circumcision, although parents may not recognise the condition when their son is a baby.

  • Paraphimosis:

Paraphimosis is a tight foreskin that can't be pulled back and squeezes the penis painfully. It forms a ring around the penis, cutting off some of the blood flow to the glans and causing it to swell up. Doctors can sometimes treat paraphimosis by gently squeezing the trapped glans until the foreskin can slide over it again. If this isn’t possible, circumcision may be needed. 

  • Balanitis and balanoposthitis:

Balanitis and balanoposthitis are infections and swelling of the penis. Balanitis affects the foreskin and balanoposthitis affects the head of the penis.  Both conditions are more common in men and boys with diabetes - after going to the toilet, drops of urine containing sugar may remain on the foreskin, providing the perfect conditions for bacteria to multiply in and cause an infection.Balanitis that keeps coming back can lead to scarring and phimosis, and may eventually make circumcision necessary.

  • Penile cancer affecting the foreskin:

Cancer of the penis is very rare – there are about 350 new cases in the UK each year. It often starts on the foreskin, and circumcision is sometimes considered to stop it spreading.

  • Painful sex:

Circumcision is occasionally carried out in men if a tight foreskin is making sex painful.