Circumcision is one of the most controversial and emotional topics in urology and andrology. The debate revolves around the removal of the foreskin (\u201cprepuce\u201d), which completely covers the glans of the penis when flaccid and retracts backward during an erection.<\/p>\n
This article aims to clarify the subject and distinguish fact from myth to provide a solid foundation for one of the most personal decisions parents can make for their son and men can make for themselves.<\/p>\n
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For billions of people, it is not primarily a medical procedure, but rather a deeply rooted cultural and religious practice. Today, the Jewish and Muslim traditions are particularly well known:<\/strong><\/p>\n Regardless of the medical debate, these practices are an expression of identity and belief and should be viewed with respect.<\/p>\n In North America, for example, circumcising boys was common because it was considered more hygienic. Over time, the circumcised penis has also become the beauty standard in many Western countries.<\/p>\n Here in Europe, however, the most frequently cited reason for circumcision<\/span><\/a> in childhood is phimosis, or tightness of the foreskin<\/span><\/a>. Many parents become concerned if they are unable to retract their toddler’s foreskin.<\/p>\n However, in most cases this is a completely normal stage of development: in almost all newborn boys, the foreskin is stuck to the glans (conglutination) and the opening of the foreskin is still very narrow, meaning that the foreskin cannot be pulled back.<\/p>\n This physiological phimosis is not a pathological condition, but rather an evolutionary protective mechanism, as the foreskin protects the sensitive glans and the opening of the urethra from friction, dehydration, and infections. In most cases, this adhesion of the foreskin resolves itself completely during the first few years of life.<\/p>\n Important: Never try to pull back your child’s foreskin by force! This can lead to small tears, scarring, and ultimately to pathological phimosis.<\/strong><\/p>\n For many years, a flawed study by British pediatrician Douglas Gairdner<\/a> from 1948 was cited, which stated that the foreskin of boys must be retractable by the age of 5 at the latest, leading to numerous misdiagnoses of pathological phimosis in the following decades. More recent studies<\/a> show that about half of all boys under the age of 10 cannot fully retract their foreskin and that physiological phimosis can actually persist into puberty without being pathological.<\/p>\n Treatment for a tight foreskin is only necessary if the phimosis has not resolved during puberty<\/a>, if symptoms only appear later in life, and\/or if it causes problems.<\/p>\n Such problems include, for example:<\/p>\n Complete or absolute phimosis occurs when the foreskin cannot be pulled back over the glans, even when the penis is flaccid. In contrast, with incomplete<\/em> or relative<\/em> phimosis, pulling back the foreskin is difficult only when the penis is erect.<\/p>\n When pathological phimosis<\/em> is present and requires treatment, surgery has long been the standard therapy. However, circumcision as a treatment for foreskin tightness can often be avoided today. Modern medicine prefers to treat phimosis conservatively.<\/a><\/p>\n For example, through:<\/p>\n The success rates of these methods are excellent, at over 80%. It is painless, avoids the risks of surgery, and preserves the foreskin in its entirety.<\/p>\n If the foreskin cannot be pulled back over the glans without pain or if you experience severe pain during an erection, discuss the problem with a urologist.<\/strong><\/p>\n Request an appointment now! At the same time, surgical treatment of phimosis still has its place.<\/p>\n Circumcision can be performed using various techniques:<\/a> in addition to the classic incision with a scalpel, there are various clamping and ligation techniques (e.g., Gomco or Plastibell) and even circumcision with a medical laser.<\/p>\n Apart from medical circumcisions, there is an intense debate surrounding the routine circumcision of infants, toddlers and boys. From a technical standpoint, it’s important to note that, in the absence of clear medical indications, the decision to circumcise is a personal one that parents make primarily for social, cultural, and religious reasons.<\/p>\n Of course, it is a completely different matter for men who decide to undergo circumcision as adults. There are many reasons for this: in addition to medical reasons, such as acquired phimosis or recurrent inflammation, personal wishes also play a role here. Circumcision is sometimes a controversial topic. It touches on religion, culture, ethics, and medicine. While patience and conservative methods should clearly be the focus in cases of physiological phimosis in childhood, the decision is a deeply personal one when there are no medical reasons. In adults, however, circumcision is an act of individual self-determination.<\/p>\n If you have any questions or would like a personal consultation\u2014whether for your son or for yourself\u2014please do not hesitate to make an appointment. Request an appointment now! <\/p>\n\n
False diagnosis of phimosis as the most common \u201cmedical\u201d reason for circumcision in boys<\/h2>\n
When is treatment for phimosis necessary?<\/h2>\n
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Conservative treatment or circumcision?<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/a><\/p>\nSurgical treatment by circumcision<\/h2>\n
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The debate: circumcision pros and cons<\/h2>\n
\nCritics argue above all that children are not capable of giving consent, and that circumcision without medical necessity violates the child’s right to physical integrity and is therefore contrary to the child’s welfare.
\nThe most common argument is that removing the foreskin reduces the sensitivity of the glans, making it difficult to have a fulfilling sex life later on. Psychosexual consequences are also sometimes mentioned.
\nOn the one hand, advocates of circumcision cite the cultural and religious traditions mentioned above and the social component of \u201cbelonging.\u201d They also argue that circumcision makes intimate hygiene easier, which reduces the risk of certain infections. Various studies do indeed indicate a lower risk of urinary tract infections and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV, HPV, and herpes.<\/p>\nLate decision to undergo circumcision in adulthood<\/h2>\n
\nAbove all, the aesthetic appearance of the penis plays a major role for many men. Partly due to the easy access to pornography, where 99% of male performers are circumcised, some men perceive the circumcised penis as the norm and feel the desire to adapt their own body image to this norm.
\nA man who decides to undergo circumcision for purely aesthetic reasons, because he feels more comfortable, confident, or \u201cclean\u201d with the appearance, is therefore making an autonomous decision.<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\n
\nOpen and honest information is the key to making a decision that you will feel comfortable with in the long term.<\/p>\n
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\nSources<\/h3>\n
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\nhttps:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2954072\/<\/a><\/li>\n