Choosing To Snip as An Adult: Health Benefits of Circumcision

Did you know that being circumcised can lower the risk of urinary tract infections and penile cancer? Or that circumcision can be performed on adult males?

The male health benefits of circumcision often go undiscussed due to the low prevalence of the procedure being performed in Singapore, with only 14.9% of males aged 15 and above having undergone the procedure. If you are reading our article because you are considering getting circumcised as an adult due to medical or religious indications, or if you are just curious about the surgical procedure, you have come to the right place. In this article, we hope to shed some light on the benefits of getting circumcised as well as debunk some of the myths associated with being “snipped” to hopefully encourage more open discussion about men’s health.

Do I NEED a circumcision?

Let’s skip the euphemisms and get medical: Human males are born with a double-layered fold of tissue covering the glans and the urethral opening of the penis; This fold of tissue is known as the foreskin, or prepuce. The outer skin of the foreskin meets with the inner preputial mucosa at the area of the mucocutaneous junction. Typically, the foreskin is mobile, stretchable and sustains the glans in a moist environment.

In infancy and early childhood, the foreskin is usually fused to the glans penis and not retractable, a condition often referred to as “physiological” phimosis. This is a normal developmental stage that typically resolves by the age of five. In adulthood, the foreskin is generally retractable over the glans. However, the inability to retract the foreskin in adulthood is considered abnormal and is known as pathological phimosis.

Phimosis, a condition affecting up to 13% of men over 18, is more common than many realize. Complications associated with phimosis can include painful erections, blood in urine (hematuria), recurrent urinary tract infections, preputial pain, a weakened urinary stream, and urinary retention.

Men with phimosis are also at risk of developing paraphimosis, a condition where the foreskin becomes trapped behind the glans penis and cannot be returned to its normal position. This occurs when a tight foreskin is forcefully retracted. Paraphimosis is a medical emergency as the trapped foreskin can restrict blood flow to the glans, potentially leading to tissue damage or necrosis if left untreated.

While adult phimosis is a common reason for medical circumcision, other common indications include painful intercourse (dyspareunia), inflammation of the glans penis (balanitis), and the simultaneous occurrence of both phimosis and balanitis.

If you’re a man experiencing any of the aforementioned conditions, consider consulting a healthcare professional at a reputable surgical centre like The Clifford Clinic and Surgery, which offers circumcision services. A thorough examination can help determine if circumcision is the right course of action for you.

Snipping for health: not just a cosmetic procedure

Hygiene is usually cited as the main reason why some men chose to get circumcised as adults, as the removal of the foreskin makes it easier to clean the head of the penis and prevent the build up of smegma (skin cells and oil secretions); circumcision is a curative treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions, like balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the head and foreskin of the penis), which are usually caused by infrequent or improper cleaning of the part of the penis that is under the foreskin. Circumcision can also be done as a preventive measure for such medical conditions.

Circumcision can contribute more to men’s health than just hygiene; While not often discussed, less well-known medical benefits of circumcision include:

• Lowering the risk of contracting urinary tract infections (UTIs) by preventing the accumulation of urinary pathogens under the foreskin.
• Lowering the risk of/lowering the rates of transmission of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Additionally, medical studies suggest that the aforementioned benefits may contribute to a reduced risk of invasive penile cancer. By preventing phimosis, a significant risk factor for penile cancer, circumcision can mitigate conditions like balanitis and balanoposthitis. These conditions can create a chronic inflammatory environment, increasing the risk of developing invasive penile malignancies.

Snipping for my partner?

It is also worth noting that women may also indirectly benefit for the procedure as research has indicated that circumcision lowers the risk of cervical cancer in the female partners of circumcised males.

Should I snip?

Ultimately, the choice to cut or remain uncut is a highly personal decision and we would advise all patients to weight the pros and cons before committing to the procedure.

However, if you find that you have issues retracting your foreskin or issues pulling your foreskin down over the head of the penis, we strongly suggest consulting a medical professional as you may be suffering from phimosis or paraphimosis.

Patients who experience painful intercourse (dyspareunia), inflammation of the glans penis (balanitis), and the simultaneous occurrence of both phimosis and balanitis should also consult a trained medical professional to discuss the pros and cons of a circumcision.

For patients with the above-mentioned clinical indications, circumcision is a medically indicated surgery prescribed to treat their medical conditions.

Myths vs truths

Lastly, before we end this article, let’s quickly debunk some myths about circumcision.

Circumcision is only for religious or cultural reasons – It is true that religious circumcision is the most common reason why circumcision is performed, however, circumcision can also be medically indicated as discussed above. Conditions like phimosis, recurrent urinary tract infections, chronic inflammatory skin conditions like Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans, and certain types of penile cancer can be managed or prevented through circumcision.

Circumcision damages the sexual function of the penis – This is false. Numerous studies have consistently shown that circumcision does not cause erectile dysfunction (ED). Circumcision primarily involves the removal of the foreskin, and the underlying structures responsible for erection, such as the corpora cavernosa and nerves, are not affected during the procedure. Furthermore, some studies have even suggested that circumcision may lead to enhanced sensitivity in the glans penis, potentially improving sexual pleasure for some individuals.

Circumcision causes the loss of sensation in the penis – This is a common misconception. There is no credible scientific evidence to support the claim that removal of the foreskin causes a loss of sensation in the penis/glans. Contrary to belief, circumcision may in fact enhance sensitivity in the glans penis due to the removal of the foreskin, making the glans more sensitive to touch.

Circumcision is more painful when done as an adult – It is a common misconception that adult circumcision is more painful than infant circumcision. In reality, the level of pain experienced during circumcision largely depends on factors such as the specific technique used, the individual’s pain tolerance, and the administration of appropriate pain relief such as local anaesthesia. Medication will be given to you after the procedure to minimise any pain you may feel during the recovery period. Different techniques such as the Shang Ring Circumcision employed in the Clifford Clinic can be used to reduce operative time, hence, pain.

Circumcision is risky and has serious side effects – When performed by qualified healthcare professionals in a sterile environment, circumcision is a safe procedure with minimal risks. Potential complications, such as bleeding or infection, are rare and can be easily managed.

There is no real health benefits associated with circumcision – Contrary to popular belief, circumcision offers several health benefits. Removing the foreskin simplifies hygiene practices, significantly reducing the risk of urinary tract infections. Additionally, it lowers the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, syphilis, herpes, and HPV, including cancer-causing strains. Circumcision is also linked to a reduced risk of penile cancer in men and cervical cancer in female partners. Furthermore, it can prevent painful conditions like phimosis, where the foreskin becomes inflamed and difficult to retract.

Find out more

If you would like to know more about the procedure, you can read more about it on our service page on Shang Ring Circumcision, or you can visit our clinic and surgical centre for a consultation session with one of our doctors.