What exactly is circumcision?
Circumcised or uncircumcised? You may have heard these words before without really knowing what they mean. Circumcision involves a part of the penis called the foreskin. It can be done for different reasons, and despite some common myths, having or not having a foreskin doesn’t make a penis more “normal,” cleaner, or better than another.
First, what is the foreskin?
The foreskin is the skin that naturally covers the glans, or head of the penis. It can generally be gently pulled back to uncover the glans. For some people, it retracts easily at an earlier age, while for others, it takes longer. The foreskin is a normal part of the body.
Circumcision is a procedure that involves removing part or all of the foreskin. After circumcision, the glans therefore remains permanently exposed.
Circumcision is often performed shortly after birth, but it can also be done later in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.
Why are some people circumcised?
There isn’t just one reason. Circumcision may be performed:
For religious or cultural reasons, as it is part of the traditions of some communities.
For family or personal reasons, for example, because parents choose to have their child circumcised.
For medical reasons, particularly when certain foreskin problems cause pain or repeated infections and other treatments aren’t enough.
Do you have to be circumcised?
No. Having a foreskin is just as normal as being circumcised.
Circumcision is associated with certain medical benefits, but these depend on the context. For example, circumcision can reduce the risk of certain infections. The World Health Organization recommends it as one HIV prevention measure in some regions where HIV transmission through heterosexual sex is very high. However, this recommendation does not mean that circumcision replaces other methods of STI prevention.
Like any surgical procedure, circumcision also comes with risks, such as pain, bleeding, or infection.
Myths or facts
“A circumcised penis is cleaner.”
Myth. Having a foreskin doesn’t make a penis dirty. When the foreskin can be retracted, it’s generally enough to gently pull it back, wash the glans and foreskin with water, and then put the foreskin back in place. There’s no need for special products or intense scrubbing.
“You have to pull hard on the foreskin if it won’t retract.”
Myth. If your foreskin doesn’t retract easily, don’t force it. Forcing it can cause small injuries and scarring. If you have pain, if your foreskin seems very tight, or if you have difficulty urinating, you can talk to a healthcare professional.
“If I’m not circumcised, I’ll definitely get infections.”
Myth. Being circumcised can reduce the risk of certain infections, but being uncircumcised doesn’t mean you’ll get them. Good hygiene and safer sex practices remain important, with or without a foreskin.
“Being circumcised protects against all STIs.”
Myth. Circumcision does not provide complete protection against STIs. Even when it reduces the risk of certain infections in certain contexts, it does not replace other prevention methods.
“Circumcision changes sexual pleasure.”
Myth. It’s more complicated than that. Research on sensitivity and sexual pleasure does not allow us to simply say that circumcised people experience “more” or “less” pleasure. Study findings vary, and sexual pleasure depends on many other factors.
“My penis looks different from my friends’ or from what I see online, so something must be wrong.”
Myth. Penises don’t all look the same. They can vary in size, shape, colour, curvature, and the appearance of the foreskin. Some people are circumcised and others aren’t. Images you may see online, especially in pornography, don’t represent all the different ways genitals can look.
What if my foreskin hurts?
A foreskin that doesn’t retract completely isn’t automatically a problem. However, if you experience pain, itching, or discomfort, notice persistent redness or swelling, have repeated infections, or have difficulty urinating, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional.
Some foreskin problems can be treated without circumcision. In some situations, for example, treatment with a cream may be suggested before considering surgery.
In conclusion…
Whether your penis is circumcised or not, both are normal. Circumcision may be done for cultural, religious, personal, or medical reasons. And if you have questions about your foreskin, how it looks, or how it works, there’s nothing embarrassing about talking to a healthcare professional.
