The health benefits of circumcision are not small, including reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections. You don't have to worry about getting circumcised, as this procedure won't affect your fertility or reduce your enjoyment of sex.
Circumcision is the process of removing the foreskin or skin that covers the tip of the penis. Not only for adults and children, circumcision or circumcision can also be performed on infants.
In Indonesia, this process is generally carried out when boys enter primary school age or around 6–10 years. The older the boy or man who is circumcised, the greater the risk, complexity and length of the healing process.
Some Benefits of Circumcision
From a medical point of view, there are many benefits that can be obtained if you undergo a circumcision or circumcision procedure, including:
- Reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes or syphilis
- Prevents the occurrence of diseases of the penis, such as pain in the head or foreskin of the penis called phimosis
- Reducing the risk of urinary tract infections related to kidney problems
- Reducing the risk of penile cancer and cervical cancer in partners
- Makes penis health more awake, because a circumcised penis is easier to clean
Treatment Steps After Circumcision
After circumcision, the penis will generally be red, bruised, and swollen. Circumcision wounds in infants take about 10 days to heal, while circumcision wounds in children and adult men take at least a month to heal.
There are several things that need to be done and considered by a newly circumcised person so that the wound can heal quickly, namely:
- Use loose pants or gloves to avoid rubbing against the penis.
- Regular check-ups with the doctor to treat wounds and always pay attention to genital hygiene to avoid infection. You can shower after your doctor has allowed you to, but avoid bathing by bathing.
- Take painkillers to reduce pain, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Sometimes, doctors will also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection after circumcision.
- Avoid strenuous activities or sports, such as cycling, weight training, or jogging. For a newly circumcised child, make sure he doesn't play too much or move around first.
- Adult men who are circumcised are not recommended to have sexual intercourse for about 4–6 weeks or until the circumcision wound has healed completely.
Some Risks of Circumcision that You Need to Know
Although beneficial to health, the circumcision procedure still has several risks, including:
- Bleeding, especially in men who have blood clotting disorders
- Infection
- Urinary tract disorders
- The foreskin may be cut too short or too long
- The rest of the foreskin can re-attach to the tip of the penis
It is recommended to immediately see a doctor or go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital if you experience any of the following after circumcision:
- Bleeding hard to stop
- Purulent or foul-smelling discharge from the tip of the penis
- The process of urination is still interrupted for several weeks after the circumcision
- Penis still looks swollen 2 weeks after circumcision
- Fever
Circumcision is performed immediately after birth, waiting until school, or not circumcised at all, it all comes down to individual decisions. If you are still in doubt, you can consult your doctor regarding the advantages and other side effects of the circumcision procedure.