I had to be circumcised

"I had to be circumcised" is frequently claimed but usually is a lie. Almost all conditions of the foreskin may be conservatively treated so do not require the extreme treatment of foreskin amputation, which is what circumcision does.

Discussion

There are very few medical conditions that mandate a circumcision and they occur very rarely. Penile cancer is a rare cancer, which occurs mostly in the elderly, is one such indication. Irreparable traumatic injury to the foreskin is another rare indication.

1. Deformed or malformed foreskin. A foreskin so deformed or malformed that it does not function properly may be removed by circumcision.

1. Traumatically injured foreskin. A foreskin so traumatically damaged foreskin that cannot be surgically repaired is a valid medical reason for circumcision.

1. Diseased foreskin. A foreskin that is diseased may be a valid indication for circumcision. Some diseases that qualify are malignancy, lichen sclerosis, yeast infection in men with diabetes, and recurrent balanoposthitis.

Circumcision normally is a non-therapeutic elective procedure that is frequently carried out for religious, or social reasons. Investigation usually reveals that the male who "had to be circumcised", may have had some condition, that could be satisfactorily treated conservatively, but actually elected or chose to be circumcised. The foreskin has numerous physiological functions that cease to function after circumcision.

The foreskin evolved to protect the penis from injury and infection, so the foreskinned penis actually is normally quite healthy.

See also

• Circumcision
• Adolescent and adult circumcision