Should I Get Circumcised as an Adult?

Do you have reservations about undergoing a circumcision procedure as an adult?

Most circumcisions take place in infancy or early ,childhood, but males can get circumcised in their adulthood as well, as increasingly more men consider doing.

To give you a better understanding of the reasoning behind adult circumcisions, this article breaks down five key reasons why men choose to receive them.

5 Reasons Men Get Adult Circumcisions

Adult men opt for circumcision for a variety of reasons, including ,health benefits, religious reasons, and improved hygiene, among others. The sections below discuss these reasons in greater detail.

1. Preventive Health Care

Circumcision is an excellent preventive measure for penile health conditions. Men who are circumcised greatly lessened their chances of contracting ,HIV-1, ,urinary tract infections, and ,human papillomavirus infection. Circumcised men also have a lower likelihood of developing ,penile cancer.

Circumcision can also be considered a preventive measure for women. Women who engage in sex with circumcised men have reduced chances of contracting ,cervical cancer.

2. Prescribed Medical Care

Some men with recurring infections or foreskin-related conditions get circumcised as a lasting solution.

Common ,complications associated with uncircumcised penises are phimosis, paraphimosis, balanitis, and balanoposthitis. These conditions commonly are the result of an inflamed prepuce, resulting in itching and pain. Prepuce infections are also linked to poor penile hygiene. But circumcision can solve these issues.

3. Personal Hygiene

Since the prepuce covers the head of the penis, dirt, and bacteria can collect if it isn’t cleaned carefully. Poor penis hygiene can result in a foul odor, itching, and even serious infection.

Circumcision exposes the penis head, thereby removing the pocket where dirt and bacteria collect. In addition, it’s also much easier to clean a fully exposed penis. As a result, circumcised men increase their personal hygiene and reduce any risks associated with the lack of cleanliness.

4. Religious Practice

Men who identify with Abrahamic religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam may opt for a ,religious circumcision.

In religious texts, a circumcised penis is the visual and physical representation of the covenant between God and Abraham. As Abrahamic religions spread further worldwide, circumcision became increasingly common across many different cultures.

5. Cosmetic & Sexual

Adult males may also undergo circumcision to improve their sexual encounters with women, as research has found that women ,prefer circumcised penises due to their aesthetic appearance.

Apart from physical preference, respondents also said that they can better sexually engage with a circumcised man because of improved hygiene overall.

How is an Adult Circumcision Performed?

Adult circumcision is no different from the procedure performed on a child.

On average, a circumcision takes 10 minutes. First, the penis is cleaned and anesthetized. Once the penis is sanitized and numb, the surgeon removes the prepuce. There are ,three techniques surgeons can use—dorsal slit, shield, clamp, or excision. After the excess tissue is removed, topical antibiotics are applied and the penis is loosely wrapped with gauze.

What to Expect During the Recovery Period

Circumcision is a rewarding but patient process. The procedure itself is simple and quick, but patients need to be patient and careful during recovery. Here are a few things to expect:

Interference with Day-to-Day Life

Right after the procedure, patients are advised to limit their mobility for the first week. Taking time off work and regular physical activities will facilitate faster and better healing.

Patients can expect that their mobility will be very limited during recovery. Even clothing choices will be affected as it’s advised to wear loose bottoms that keep the penis feeling free.

Exercise routines and sexual activity must also be avoided until full recovery.

Duration of Recovery

The first week of recovery is the most crucial. Within the first 7 days, patients can expect some swelling and discomfort. Patients may be prescribed anti-inflammatory and basic pain medication. During this time, it’s best to stay clean and get plenty of rest.

Each body heals at different rates, but patients can expect a full recovery between 2 to 3 weeks. If patients want to recover faster, they must strictly follow aftercare and refrain from physical activity. Otherwise, they may experience complications.

Possible Complications

Patients who neglect aftercare such as proper cleaning and application of topical medicines may experience an infection.

If a patient has sutures, they may need restitching in the event of a tear or premature removal. However, most sutures used in modern circumcision are dissolvable and will disappear on their own.

Men are also advised to avoid sexual arousal as much as possible, as an erection may be uncomfortable or even painful within 10 days of circumcision.

Is it Possible to be “Too Old” for Circumcision?

Men can get circumcised whether they’re 18 or 80 years old, as the procedure can be performed on men of any age. However, it’s better for men to get circumcised earlier for them to maximize the benefits.

One Decision for Overwhelming Benefits

The phrase ”prevention is better than cure” is a great fit for circumcision. By undergoing a simple and safe procedure, men can take better care of their penile health. To summarize, getting circumcised helps men avoid infections, reduce the chances of chronic conditions, and enjoy overall health.

Moreover, the reasons for circumcision go beyond medicine. Men also opt to get cut for improved hygiene, spiritual practice, cosmetic enhancement, and enhanced sexuality.

If you’re considering getting circumcised, ,contact us for a free consultation.