What is Circumcision ?

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the skin covering the tip of the penis.

Circumcision is an ancient practice that has its origin in religious rites. Today, many parents have their sons circumcised for religious or other reasons. It can be a matter of family tradition, personal hygiene, or preventive health care. Sometimes there's a medical need for circumcision, such as when the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back ( retracted ) over the glans. In other cases, like in certain parts of Africa, circumcision is recommended for older boys or men to reduce the risk of certain sexually transmitted infections.

The procedure is typically done on a newborn for personal or religious reasons. Circumcision in older children and adults may also be done for the same reasons. Additionally, older children or adults may need circumcision to treat several conditions, including:

• balanitis (swelling of the foreskin)
• balanoposthitis (inflammation of the tip and foreskin of the penis)
• paraphimosis (inability to return a retracted foreskin to its original position)
• phimosis (inability to retract the foreskin)