Circumcision

Circumcision is surgical removal of the foreskin — the skin covering the tip of the penis. It is done for religious/cultural reasons in many families; it is also recommended medically in specific conditions. In India, circumcision is common in Muslim and Jewish communities as a religious practice, and occasional among other groups for medical reasons.

Medical reasons for circumcision

• Phimosis — tight foreskin that can't be retracted, causing pain, infection, or urination problems (after age 5-6).
• Paraphimosis — retracted foreskin stuck behind the glans; medical emergency.
• Recurrent balanitis/UTIs that don't settle with conservative measures.
• Cancer of the penis — uncommon; circumcision is part of treatment.

Benefits and risks

• Reduces risk of urinary tract infections in infancy (small but real).
• Reduces risk of some STIs and HIV in adulthood (evidence from African and other studies).
• Lowers penile cancer risk (already a rare cancer).
• Risks — bleeding, infection, poor cosmetic result, very rarely injury to the glans.
• Should be done by a trained surgeon / Health Expert with clean equipment.

Important safety notes

• Newborn circumcisions are generally low-risk when done in a medical setting.
• Older children and adult circumcisions are day-care procedures under local or general anaesthesia.
• Clotting disorders (haemophilia) — test before circumcision. In communities where this disorder may appear unexpectedly, have pre-procedure testing.
• Avoid traditional practitioners operating in unsterile conditions — risk of infection, injury and blood-borne viruses. Religious practice can be respected while insisting on safe conditions.

Foreskin care in uncircumcised boys

• Do not retract the foreskin forcibly in a young child — it is naturally non-retractable in most boys under 3-5 years. Forced retraction causes scarring and later phimosis.
• Clean gently with water during normal bath; nothing else needed.
• In older boys/adolescents, retract and clean during bathing.
• See a paediatrician or surgeon for persistent ballooning during urination, recurrent infections, or non-retractable foreskin after age 7-8.